What others have said about us & our products... |
Dear Steve, This is just a quick note to say how much Ashley and I enjoyed the workshop. There was so much information to digest and we have discussed many of the points you raised since then. Our handbooks are beginning to look distinctly dog-eared as we seem to be constantly referring back to them! Having the chance to do field work and to observe other dogs and their handlers was probably the highlight for me as I tend to over analyse things and being able to see the theory immediately put into action made it much more concrete for me and also easier to remember. We are still taking *baby steps* (pardon the pun) with Hope but I love knowing that she will be the first dog I have trained where I will never have to jerk her about by the neck or speak very harshly to her in order to have a happy, well-trained dog. Chloe and Ashley are doing great and Chloe is working really happily and confidently. I think that prior to the workshop Ashley was often giving conflicting commands or signals to Chloe but the demo's coupled with the explanations you gave us about consistency and praise seem to have totally resolved that issue. Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you again in another couple of months for some revision and the chance to move further forward in our training! Thanks again so much for giving us the opportunity to participate. Brooke ************************************************************************************* Well tonight I decided to take Storm for a walk up to the park. NORMALLY head would be down and she'd be busy sniffing the whole world, any dog that came along she would go in bounce mode and it's just not the greatest walk. TONIGHT head up concentrating on me - another dog goes the nutso on storm I tell her leave it and she only glances the direction of the other dog and stays with me! Only one small correction was given the entire time we were out - when she decided it was worth a tug for a roll in some nice fresh horse poo! She's been great - stuck to my side on a loose leash the whole time. It was like all I was doing was carrying the lead. Thank you Thank you Thank you Jade ************************************************************************************* We had a great time on Saturday!!! Elwyn was amazed at how quickly Charlie responded to you. After working on slow and TOT what would be the next steps for us - do we come back for more lessons?. Personally I am keen to learn as much as possible - for the dog and us. What you were talking about on Saturday was the most interesting stuff i have learnt in a long long time - sure beats studying law! Can you reccomend any books for me - i really do want to learn more We are implementing everything you taught us and noticing some changes already, he seems to understand now that he is not getting a pat until he sits, or drops. Cindy ************************************************************************************* Training is going very well. Last night I had Zig off leash in the backyard, giving her the slow command and she stuck right by me which she has never done before. I only had her off leash for a short time but she was very good. I'm so proud of her. See ya soon Kisma ************************************************************************************* Question from our surveys taken. What more could we have done? A: When we first returned home I thought that we should've spent more time out in the field, but when Ash and I talked about it we realised that the training for Bella is up to us and that it was actually both of us that needed 'training and learning' that day, not the dog! So I guess there's really nothing more that could've been done. We all had a great session with you Steve and learnt so much more that any book could've taught us. We were really happy to see Bella FINALLY walk on a loose lead. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Question from survey Have you got any general comments? A: Overall, we were really happy with the results. I've been able to spend more time with our dog as a result because he's not so pre-occupied with constantly biting to get my attention. The methods were easy to follow and easy to implement. ************************************************************************************* Question from Survey Have you got any general comments? A: I was really pleased with the training. I was impressed at Steve's expertise and knowledge. He worked really well with Flip and understood Flips needs and how Flip works. It was good to see a trainer working within the dogs limits and needs. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, just had to put down some thoughts while they were fresh in my mind. Last night Barry left for work as usual, around 8pm. I waved him gbye & went back inside to sit next to Able (our GSD) & the fire place. I guess I drifted off to sleep (fire so cosy he he) & was awoken by a noise outside. I jumped up & headed for the front door, Able by my side. I could not see anyone or anything & progressed outside to see what it was, yes, me. I looked around our front yard & was about to head inside when Able lit up & scurried around my car, which was in the drive way. I man stood up & was backed up against the fence by Able, he was screaming all the way. Able never laid a tooth on him, he pushed him back with a growl & stare... I watched & then walked around to see he had been working on the lock on my car & caused quite a bit of damge. He told me to "grab the f*#k*ng dog" I gave Able a down command in which he did, but kept watching, the guy moved an inch & Able lifted up to stop him. The neighbour came & called the Police, Able stayed in the down stay without another command until they arrived, about 20 minutes. He came back to me happily once the Police arrived. I just cant explain the difference in my quality of life since having Able protection trained by you. Barry heading off to work would see me on the edge of my nerves 12 months ago, now Im aprehending car theives! He is such a gem to own, in every way, he is my protector, my confidant, my friend & he gives me confidence on my own. I would not trade him for the world. My warmest thanks. Penny, Barry & Able. ************************************************************************************* Steve, Just thought I drop you a quick e-mail to let you know that Chelsea, my German Shorthaired Pointer, is doing so much better now - after a few short days of training on the prong that I ordered from you, her recalls are at warp speed (still on leash for the time being), she very rarely pulls and is just a lot calmer in general now the communication between us has been opened. After having several so called trainers tell me that she will always be a puller, I started dreading our daily walk - which just compounded the problem as then she got hyper from lack of exercise. Her power to my weight was just no match once she got it in her head to pull. I took her for her morning walk today on the prong, straight past a big bouncy out of control boxer and wasn't sure quite what to expect, but I stayed confident (instead of my usual 'cross the road') and whilst she whinged a bit, and danced on the spot, she never once pulled towards the other dog. Fantastic! I just need to pick up the collar and I have a very excited, tail wagging dog right beside me ready to go for her training session/walk. Again, thank you. ANNA ************************************************************************************* Thanks so much for sending me the Braided leash, I cant imagine the Amish leash being any better than this, this is a superb leash, well made, top quality & the price was outstanding. Joh Our selection of leashes can be seen here. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, please add my email to your recommendations section on your web page. We have a Rottweiler that no one else coud work with, he was not vicious but just so damn disobedient that other trainers pulled their hair out with him. Even though I love this dog, half the time I wanted to choke him, though I never did. I came accross the K9 Force web site, had a quick look & logged off, another advertisement like the many I had seen & tried. I went to my local leash free park, not that I could let Bronson off leash, but just to excercise him. On arrival I saw a great looking Rotty just as big & playful as Brons. I watched him dart around a small lady who was playing with him. After about 5 mins, she told him enough & said "heel" He stopped play & ran to her left side. She had no leash & walked off to her car in which he was right on her side. I was stunned, I ran around, or Brons dragged me round the park to catch her. I got near her car & her dog, that was as big as her was laying there while she got the car ready. I walked up & Bronson became over excited & started to bounce at her dog, her dog just laid there looking at him, no movement. I asked her how she got her dog like that & ran out the mouth telling her about all the trainers I had went to etc.. She stopped me & said "you need to meet Steve from K9 Force". We talked for ten minutes & I was on my way home to ring Steve. I rang the number & Steve answered, I didnt know where to start but blurted some stuff out. He laughed & said he could help me, he gave me a date & I spent the two weeks waiting for a miracle. I arrived at K9 Force & started heading toward the training ground, Steve redirected me to a classroom? After an hour of talk, equipment demonstration etc, I knew where I had gone wrong to date, but theory doesnt train dogs... We went to the training field & Steve took Bronson from me & asked me to take a seat. I have to admit Steve was very confident & I was not, I had seen Brons defeat lots of trainers. Steve communicated to Bronson, he really did. Bronson in minutes, & Im not exagerating, minutes, was looking at Steve for the next instruction. I had a tear in my eye... Bronson loved Steve, he was so compliant for him, Bronson really wanted to please him, I had never seen that in him before. Steve took a very gentle approach unlike others & Bronson reciprocated with a gentle walk. Bronson has a bad leash pulling problem, he would not walk anywhere anytime in other than pull mode. Steve asked me in 10 minutes "I thought you had a dog that pulled on the leash"? Bronson was looking up at Steve & following him everywhere... NO PULLING. Next it was my turn, I was so un co ordinated but he showed me patiently how to move. In no time Brons was teaching me. The lesson was over & as Steve walked me to my car, I just blubbered on that I was stunned, & I still am. I was given a program to work with & the difference in the dog is un believeable. I have attended 6 lessons & I think I will have a dog that equals that lady in the park within the next month! I hope that Steve puts this on his web page, all I can say is, if your thinking of using K9 Force, dont hesitate, do it now, you will not regret it for one second. Steve is the best trainer I have come accross, my dog is not just obedient, he is well behaved without command. Do it, do it now... Alison Meyers. ************************************************************************************* Attention Steve & co. Thanks for clearing up the misconceptions about dog training I had, every man & his dog, pardon the pun told me I wouldnt get a reliable recall with my Husky, wish I had seen you first. The dog training industry would fall on its ear if people like you were not out there. Kisha comes every time, you were right when you said "put in the work & reap the benefits". I have & I am. warm regards Barry. ************************************************************************************* Hey there, just a quick note to let you know that we left on Thursday totally confident that we have found the steps for success with you. We could not believe the changes in Bribie in only a few minutes with you at the wheel. We feel charged with energy & cant wait to have the reliability I know Bribie can return. After we got home we went for a walk with her, she is a totally different dog on the leash, I just cant believe it! Your the third trainer we have seen, well the first real one. thanks so much!!! Janet. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, Just a quick update on our progress here, have been walking Tyson everyday, and all is going well. He is rarely pulling, and if he does it is with much less strength than the Tyson of old!! He seems to be becoming more aware of where i am during our walks, and I am still throwing in some surprise 180's etc to keep him guessing all the time. His heel is doing well, and his slow is getting better, although he still needs some lead pops at times. We have come across some other dogs in the past few days with good results. A massive Samoyed barked at us from across the road yesterday and i gave him a slow command, and he whinged and pranced a bit, but didn't pull to get to the dog at all, which I was thrilled with... Same situation with a small, white fluffy the day before, so I am really happy with our progress!! Thanks so much, ************************************************************************************* Steve, Just a quick note to say thank you very much for the training session on Saturday. Michelle and I were more than impressed with your training approach (both theory and practical) and what you were able to do with Archie in just 15 minutes. The difference when we take him for a walk is amazing! We will definitely book another session in the next few months. Please don’t hesitate to use us as a reference if you need to. Best Regards Mark... ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, My name is Justin, my partner recently ordered a prong collar and training lead off you (about a month ago). And I have to say that they are fantastic! My mally has really started to listen to commands since I have been doing daily training sessions with the equipment. All in all he is doing really good and im soo pleased I purchased those things off you. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, Just a follow up on Barney as you requested. The aggression towards other dogs has totally gone as far as we can tell. We regularly take him to the leash free park, and although we supervise & choose his playmates carefully, he plays like a puppy. Cant tell you how relieved we are as we thought there was no answer. Many thanks Greg & Sue. ************************************************************************************* Hi there, that no bark collar is a godsend! Thanks for a great nights sleep. The dog even is more relaxed now, never thought it would work so fast. Thanks zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Laurie. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, just got home from our first lesson with you, had to put my thoughts down while they were fresh in my mind. Never knew we would be sitting in class learning doggy behaviour, wondered how useful that would be at first but I found after listening, that I could answer half of my own questions. We had (name withheld) out to train Rocky as you know, there was no noteable change in his behaviour at home, although he was a little bit better when they worked him. He was useless in our hands, just like before. I now dont blame them, we were doing it wrong, you showed us that, wish they had of. I left feeling confident that we would get results with you & as you promised, we have mastered the sit & drop, we will burn himout if we practice any more today! It's amazing how knowing why makes it so much easier. Cant wait to see you in a week, we now have such a thirst for knowledge! Bryan & Eva. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, Remember Fritz?, our German Shorthaired Pointer? Well we came & saw you in November 2000, I just found your website & couldnt resist the opportunity to brag that Fritz still turns heads at the dog park. Just yesterday I took him for his morning run & when I pulled up at the park, I was glad to see all the dog owners with their dogs running around like mad. I open the door & have him do a down/stay off leash, right in front of the park full of loose dogs! That usually starts the heads turning, but then I heel him in drive right accross he centre of the park, you can hear the jaws hit the floor! The most beneficial part of your training is the systems you have in place. No matter what part of obedience I learned, your system had it covered so that the method was exactly the same, Fritz & I could learn new steps at lightning speed, just by applying that consistent technique. Any time we see the vet I thank him for putting us on to you. We could not have found a better trainer. Gerry ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, I just looked at an old video tape of the family taken in 98, before Max was transformed by you. Man he was a total pain in the ass! He was running around, getting into everything at a family BBQ. I was watching the video with my Uncle & he remarked how everyone used to hate coming over to our house to be licked to death by the marauding dog! I really never knew they felt this way, love can make you blind. Now they use him as an example of a great dog, he is mindful & can be part of everything, not into everything. We had a "take your dog to work day" last month, he was the best behaved dog there. Cant thank you enough mate. Tom. ************************************************************************************* Hi Steve, here is an update, To briefly summarize where we are, the prong collar has really facilitated great improvements in all aspects of Rommel's performance, even the short periods of Heeling during our walks when crossing roads etc. Another step forward is that Trish can now get him to Sit, Stay and Drop etc., whereas before he would sometimes not respond to her commands and instead, occasionally carrying out 'mock attacks' on her, mostly in the form of attempted 'humping'. I have worked to eradicate this unacceptable behaviour. He was placing himself above Trish in the pecking order at home, and if I were not around, would try to dominate her. Now that Trish is starting to exercise some authority over R, he is really responding, and as an interesting by-product, is giving Trish much more overt affection, even when I am also present. Until recently, Rommel has tended to always gravitate to me, leaving Trish to think that he did not care for her all that much. We were amazed last Sunday, when he came followed me into our bedroom after I collected the newspaper, jumped onto the bed wanting to play, and Trish instantly ordered him to drop, and lo and behold, he dropped like a stone on the bed! His hind quarters are continuing to develop and he springs with alarming speed, just like his mother. When he stretches, his muscles are as hard as a rock. One amusing by-product of his growing strength, is that when he is running with a group of dogs in the park, if one crosses in front of him, he is apt to hurdle the dog, instead of wheeling as it crosses his path. Other dog owners are highly amused at this enthusiastic athleticism and his boundless energy and good nature. He is now capable of moving non stop for up to an hour and a quarter, without needing to drop and rest to any great extent. He does need water though, and usually only stops for a couple of big drinks during his hit outs in the park. Trish came with us for a walk early Saturday, and she thought that Rommel was more tractable than ever, with no tricks or protesting, no pulling, responding quickly to the command 'slowly', coming into a good heel prior to crossing roads, good autosits after crossing the road, etc. Trish had not been with us for a couple of weeks, and she feels that he has made even more progress. Taking him for a walk is now effortless, and devoid of the drama we had for months earlier this year. On his walks, he is a happy, tractable and enthusiastic dog, exhibiting a level of compliant behaviour I did not think possible even a few months ago. The Prong collar with the pull tab is now 'standard equipment' for Rommel prior to visitors arriving, and it has had a great impact on minimising the extent to which R jumps onto the guests. With people he knows well, and who have been guilty of aiding and abetting his jumping in the past, I put him in a sit/stay with a pop, and with some difficulty, I can hold him in the sit while the visitors give him initial greeting. While this has not totally eliminated his trying to jump on visitors when released, he now calms down quite quickly, whereas before the prong collar, he could be still trying to jump on visitors 10 or 15 minutes after their arrival. I think that just about sums up recent progress. I haven't had time to seriously get into the quantitative measurement of aspects of his performance, but hope to get started next week. Thanks for all your great work so far. Little did we know that we could have a tractable Boxer at 10 months, instead of the three years minimum promised by other pessimistic, 'doomsaying' Boxer owners, who had never had the benefit of having a professional trainer who work with their dog. You have proven that even a 'hard head' of a Boxer like Rommel is capable of learning quickly and responding consistently from an early age, putting paid to the idiotic myth that Boxers are too 'scatter-brained' to respond to serious training initiatives. My aim is to improve his heeling to the level you would expect by his first birthday on 25th of October, and while continuing to tighten all other commands, to then plan to do some more training next year to upgrade all aspects of work under distraction, including some commands which are beyond us at this stage. I still have a lot of work to do developing a bomb-proof compliance to the 'here' command in the proofing phase. This is probably my biggest challenge, but you have given my the tools to achieve this key objective. I just need some time to make it happen. By this time next year, my dream is to have Rommel looking like Cain and Candy in his response and carriage, so that Trish and I will truly have a unique Boxer, that is, one whose level of training and obedience matches his proud and powerful presence. At more than 31 Kg. at 10 months, he is going to be a mighty Boxer by his second birthday emphasising the need to achieve our training objectives. Hope all is well and look forward to seeing you soon. Cheers, Ivan |