Hi Kate,
I just wanted to send you a note to update you on Quinn’s progress.  We have been following your recommendations for Quinn in most ways and have seen an amazing improvement since our last lesson.  While she has been sleeping in my room she does sleep in the corner on her dog bed.  Anytime we are out of the house, she is in the dog room with Whiskey and we usually find them asleep when we get home and let them out.  We have her on a feeding schedule now, and she is very good at sitting in the kitchen while I go to the laundry room to prep her food and she waits until I signal her to eat.  We have had no further incidents of aggression towards either of our two dogs.  She knows not to walk in front of me at any time, she respects that I am the leader.  She knows how to heel for on leash walks and continues to be great off leash.  My brother has been improving and his confidence has grown.  He has been trying hard to stick to all your recommendations and as such, no further incidents have happened. I just wanted to thank you again for all your recommendations and we would like to continue lessons to further Quinn’s training.
- Charlie
Hi Kate,
Just an update on the E collar training for Charlie and Penny. It’s going well. I realized it was best to recall the girls when they are busy smelling or simply interested in other things other than me. At first it was just a sit, stay and call. Now I wait for a challenge to show up. I have also found where my weakness lay with the girls. Because Cavaliers are known for a poor neck structure and Penny only being 10lbs, I can now see my inconsistency when using a collar, choke chain and prong. This was realized while seeing and experiencing how confident I feel with the E collar. Both girls only need the vibration, at this time. I am certain as the distractions increase, so may the stimulation from the collar. The E Collar assures me I never need to apply pressure to their necks. I’m taking it real slow to introduce stimulation for the girls. Making sure our foundation is strong. Although I was able to call Charlie back when I saw a cat run for cover. She didn’t see it and I waited, ready for her to pick up a fresh smell. Once she got the smell, I gave her a few seconds then called her back! It was so great. On the same walk she over reacted to a dog across the street. As the dog passed, I accidentally released the lead. Charlie bolted across the street and I called her back! And she came right back!
It’s was so rewarding to see Charlie move ahead of me but today she started to look back for me! Yahooooo! When she saw me, I turned the other way and she came back to follow me. Kate, thank you for that first intro on E collar and thanks for your support. My next goal will be to remove some gates in our yard here in Florida. Charlie wants to hunt the geckos and dig. This will be a good time to work on Leave It!!! And not go back. It’s so exciting for me to think that we will be able to enjoy amazing walks in the country come spring time. We all thank you.
- Jackie
Hello Kate,
A little update on Sparkky. Firstly I want to thank you again for coming over and giving me hope that we will be able to learn to live together. Sparkky has been a little better with my daughter Jada. He has gotten better at avoiding her when he starts to feel nervous around her.  I have tried to be that invisible fence you mentioned and I think that is helping. The e-collar is definitely helping – once it’s on he quiets down a lot more. Jason noticed a difference right away. His barking is much better. Yesterday a neighbour came over and as soon as Sparkky hears anyone outside if we are talking…he barks like crazy…yesterday he didn’t bark at all.  Even the neighbour said “is Sparkky not around?” I said…yes he is just in the hallway and then explained about the E-collar.  I am sure we have LOTS of work ahead of us, and of course having Jada and Sparkky getting along is my main focus…however, I am trying to do everything you have taught me. I would love for you to see him again, and let me know if I am doing things right – where do i need to improve. I know in the end it is as much a learning curve for me as it is for him. Have a great day!
- Maria
Hi Kate!
Draper is doing so well:) He has been listening really well and walking him is a breeze. I’m still doing the sit/stay exercises…he rebels sometimes but for the most part he’s doing so much better! The only thing we have to work on more is having people over and him leaving them alone, but I haven’t had a chance to practice that one much since we met. I definitely think being more consistent and clear with commands has helped so much! Thanks so much for your help and for checking in! Hope you are having a nice day, Kristen
Hey Kate Charlie is one of your alumni. Our Vet was so impressed by his behaviour and we told him it was all due to you. Do you mind if we pass on your name to his clinic?
- Gail
Hey Kate,
Thanks for checking up on us, Mylo is doing very well. He’s leashed up to me from 7:30-1, with him being attached to me there is less barking at the front window. He’s not allowed on the couches (except for one), amazingly when he hopped up to cuddle I told him ‘off’ and he jumped off quickly, no hesitation. He’s in the crate all night and certain periods during the day (busy times–he’s quite content to be out of the way). He’s sitting and staying but will need more work. I haven’t had the daycare families use the doorbell yet, basically when they come in I have Mylo sit and stay, and he does well. We’ve practiced the doorbell a little bit but will have to do this a lot on the weekend, he did sit and stay when we pretended someone was at the door. The mailman still drives him nuts but I find I’m able to calm him down quicker though, he listens to me much better.
I would like to keep in contact with you for possible future training, dog ‘play/daycare day’ and future boarding if we were to plan to go away but I would like to get your opinion on setting it up for success. So glad you were able to come over last weekend. My husband was skeptical at the idea of having someone come over but afterwards he was very impressed at how you handled the dogs and worked with Mylo. Thanks again and will talk to you soon.
- Jane
Hi Kate,
Huntly is doing well and he’s much more attentive to our commands. I’ve taken him to Bruce pit a number of times and have been able to keep him out of the big puddles, at least what’s left of them. I’m finding that he sometimes gets a little too far from me at the pit but I think I just have to poke him with the IQ plus a bit sooner so that he stays closer. I have managed somewhat to have him not swim directly at me when we are in the pool but I need a second person to use the IQ plus to reinforce the behavior since I can’t use the remote while I’m in the pool. It has taken some practice but I’m now better at using the “Hey” command when he does something I don’t like instead of calling his name.
- Rob
Hi Kate,
You are amazing!!!!! Thank-you so much for such a thorough response, I really appreciate it! After I emailed you Rascal went into the backyard and played around with my husband, then later with me. All seems to be well. I certainly will persist with the e-collar in the confines of our yard and home to begin with. Boundaries make total sense in regards to the furniture and the beds. You’re right, we have to think about both Rascal’s and our long term needs instead of short term comfort. Thanks again for everything, you are a very talented and gifted dog trainer.
- Wendy