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| Here's some feedback I have received
from current and past students.
I want to thank you for the great reactive dog class. I think Cowboy is well on his way to recovery. I no longer have to dread meeting up with another dog on our walks. As a result, I'm more relaxed and so is Cowboy. I also gained something I hadn't expected which was a dog who is much more focused on me. I have greater control of him now and we are more bonded than before. I look forward to working with you in the future on new skills. Thanks, Dottie Goldman, 7-17-2011. ----- Thanks Mary! Duke is having such a good time in Puppy school and I just want to do right by him so he can be the best little guy he can be :) Abby is having fun learning about this too. She is amazed at the clicker training process. I'm hopeful this turns into something she really enjoys working on with him. Jen, 6-20-2011 ----- I need to tell you how successful your Focus class has been for Ellie and me. One thing I’ve learned is that nothing happens overnight—that changing behaviors takes a l-o-n-g time. But still, Ellie is so different now than she was a year ago. Mary, I’m so happy. It works. It really works. Sometimes Ellie forgets herself (and sometimes I’m not paying attention) but when she has a reactive moment, she is really quick to turn her attention back to me. It’s like she needed to know that I’ll handle it and that she can let it go. When I say “Let it be,” even in a reactive moment, she can and she does. I’m so glad we took that class and I’m so glad that I’ve stuck with it, even when I worried that it wasn’t working. It really was working—I just needed to take it in smaller increments. I’ve practiced with my male dog and it’s all rubbed off on all three of us and I can even walk them together with me and not have a mess on my hands. Like night and day. Whew! I just wanted to thank you and let you know that we’re glad to tell people that we’ve learned all that we’ve learned from your class. (Nancy Fowler 1-30-11) ----- I just wanted to send you a note to let you know how much I appreciate all you've done to help/support Cedar an I. It's been a great experience learning agility with her... and we couldn't have done it without you! We both had a great time at the trial this weekend. More than any Q, I was the most happy with how well she behaved herself in the trial environment. But she surpassed all of my expectations. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait for the AKC trial in February! - Ellie Cook 11-10 -----
I am so happy. Bart did such a good job. The training has really paid off. Thank you so much. It was very cool!! We sure couldn't have done it without you! - Martha McMurray, 11-10 (Picture by Randy Gaines) ----- Duncan liked to train and play agility with me, but had a lot of reactive behaviors, including shutting down, and reacting out of fear to other dogs and people. He had difficulty relaxing in unfamiliar situations, and I didn’t want to keep asking him to perform for me when he was clearly so uncomfortable. Once Mary introduced us to the CU techniques and shaping in particular, training became something fun that we both looked forward to, instead of something that was often frustrating. I feel like our ability to understand one another has jumped exponentially, and the more we work together on our focus and teamwork skills (plus a little Freestyle for fun) the better we get. It's been so rewarding to see Dunc gain so much confidence and so clearly have FUN when we’re working together. We've seen the results in the agility ring, but more importantly, he's just a happier little boy all around and a joy to live with. You’ve taught me that working with a reactive dog is an ever-evolving process, and that having setbacks is not failure, but rather an opportunity to find new ways to grow together. - Hope Kuo, 10-2010 ----- A year ago, Habi couldn't have handled any of this (hanging out in Ann Morrison Park and walking past other dogs and bicycles). I think she really did need the Prozac to get her brain chemicals re-balanced, so she could engage her brain. Now that her brain's engaged, she's learning to make good choices. And your class taught me 1) how to help her realize she has choices, and 2) how to turn training into games. She LOVES games - and what a great attitude we both have when we get to play some games. Boy do I appreciate the bag of tricks you've taught us. She is a joy to be with. And it's great to be able to take her places now with confidence. - Chris O'Brien, 7-09 ----- We want to say a big Thanks! Your class has truly unlocked some new ways of thinking for me. Sysco gets the benefit of a kinder, gentler, more knowledge approach to her reactive tendencies. - Amber & Sysco, happy and satisfied clients, 6-09. ----- Hi Mary, Sake and I attended your “Getting Started” Class earlier this year; I wanted to update you on something exciting for Sake. This past weekend we entered Sake at the Blackfoot shows in conformation, just as a “filler” so a young Junior Handler could practice with Irish Setters (different breed than he shows). We had just about given up on Sake because she was so “wild” in the conformation ring (along with thinking she would never put on weight). She received one point as a puppy and, ever since, has never placed or only received reserves. The Junior Handler who showed Sake got a Best of Winners placement with her on Thursday. Then, on Sunday, Mitch got Winners Bitch with her. Mitch—and some spectators who had seen her show before—commented on what great FOCUS she had in the ring now!! I’m not sure if it is was our classes with you or a little bit more maturity on her part—or both—but thank you for your contribution to her wins! - Robyn & Mitch Foust, 6-08 ----- A special thank you to Mary Hunter for her helpful hints. A few changes in just how and when to reward Gallina made dramatic changes in a very short period of time, allowing us this wonderful success. (Bernese Mountain Dog Gallina debuted in agility at our Caldwell trials in March 2008 passing all 6 classes, winning some firsts, and coming in under time on almost every run. Gallina is lovingly called the couch potato, the slug bug, the "passenger", as we thought she had NO drive. - Dino Candelaria, 4-08 ----- During the ride home from Blackfoot, there was a lot of time to mull over the weekend. Shadow and I want to say thank you for all your wonderful training. We are truly grateful and fortunate to have you helping us. You should be very proud of your teaching skills - look at how far Shadow and I have come - and so fast. I felt very well-prepared and we did amazingly well. - Nancy Stone, 6-07 ----- Mary, thank you so much for promoting our love of agility. You truly are an awesome instructor!
- ----- I have truly enjoyed your classes and have learned more about training through agility than through standard/intermediate obedience classes. - Brenda Wood, 4-07 ----- Thanks, Mary. Dusty and I love taking lessons from you - Dusty took to you right away. - Kathy Phelan, 4-07 ----- You and the classes you give have really been an inspiration. Mo and I have gained a lot from your lessons. - Karen Marchbanks, 8-07 ----- I wanted to thank you for your part in helping Sadie pass her CGC test. Even though we haven't worked with you for quite some time, you taught me the way to train using positive reinforcement and it made a world of difference with her. She is still a shy girl, but has come a long way and we will continue to work on it. - Wags, Karla 10-07 |
