Community Update

I highly recommend Michelle.

I arranged for a session with Michelle to help me 'tame' my two golden retriever 10-mo-old puppies. She arrived just as I got home from work, which was great because the homecoming has been my biggest frustration. She came in and within a couple of minutes she had the girls sitting and laying down on command. Over the course of the hour, she taught them several very useful commands and had me do the same things to practice. I really liked her calm demeanor and her philosophy of being very clear and concise about what you ask them to do, giving them a firm "NO" when they don't, and just as strong positive "YES" or "GOOD" when they do.

One of my pups is a rescue who had a rough start - lots of neglect and scolding. She has been extremely needy and insecure since coming to live with us. Michelle explained that because of how she started out, she doesn't have a sense of who she is or how she fits in, and that she needs more than anything to have structure and rules. In the three days I've worked with her, the change is really amazing - she is so much more easy-going, doesn't need to be right near me all the time, still jumps a lot, but now gets it when I say NO, and knows how to get the YES and a good rub.

The thing that has helped me the most is the Leadership Tips Michelle talked about, and left a hard copy for me to review. I thought I had been the pack leader before, but I realize now that I was really more of a tyrant - YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY, rather than an effective leader - one who is calm, in control, assertive. I'm finding it easier to be even-tempered - firm when I need to be, but ready with the positive when they earn it. It works - it really works! And the dogs are incredibly smart and eager to work and get the reward.

Michelle is great. I appreciated that she followed up with an email to ask how things were going. I'll be calling on her for more of our training.