Testimonials
The following is a small selection of comments taken from client emails, reproduced with their permission:
"The notes you sent are WONDERFUL and we are so grateful. Everything you say is sensible and logical, and what we like most of all is that Norman’s behaviour isn’t being changed through fear of the consequences if he doesn’t do what we want him to do. One of the things on my list of things to do is to ring our vet to thank them for referring us to you, because it’s working so well.”
H O’Sullivan, Karori (participant of dog-aggressive course)
"Thanks so much for all the work you have done with Oscar. He is so much less reactive and I now have much better coping skills and heaps more confidence that I know what to do when he is!!!"
C Leadbetter, Lower Hutt (past participant of dog-aggressive course)
"Thank you so much for all your help with Obi. I have noticed a big change in his behaviour and overall see him really starting to relax and just be a dog. Your (dog aggressive) classes were tailored to Obi's needs and conducted in a relaxed manner which made them extremely enjoyable. Obi and I have learnt the skills necessary to deal with "scary" situations when they arise. You are a fantastic animal behaviourist and the first person we have come across who understands Obi's behaviour."
K Jones, Wairarapa (past participant of dog-aggressive course)
"Thanks again for your totally wonderful training and the great info booklet you sent. It has been totally amazing, and I look forward to training Betty more!"
P Veugelaers, Upper Hutt
"I just wanted to send you an email to say how much I appreciate your help with Dusty and Sam. They were very stressed and your help and advice has meant that they are now a lot happier and a lot calmer dogs...they are by no means anywhere near the stressed, sick and scared witless dogs they were a few months ago and are just way more relaxed and less aggressive and demanding...so thank you for being such a caring person and helping so tremendously!"
B Daniells, Lower Hutt
"Blu is doing really well. I have been concentrating on walking her off the property, and obedience at home. In both areas Blu has improved 100%. I took her to the farm last week-end for the first time to socialise with my mums dog...I even managed to let her off the lead & they ran around the paddock together...huge improvement, she would never have done that before her new training (due to aggressiveness). Very pleased with the training manual - it was money well spent & would recommend you to anyone with problems!”
C Boreham, Featherston
"I just wanted to thank you for the very professional and thorough job you did of our cats’ programme...You put a lot into the programmes, which we have found very interesting reading. I feel you have equipped us with enough information to really make some good changes in our household...thanks again for all your help – I will be certain to pass your details onto anybody else I hear of having problems with their pets."
R Parkinson, Auckland
"I am glad that we asked for your help. Puke's behaviour is getting much better and he is becoming a lot easier to handle. We have been taking him for morning walks and he is like another dog! Now I have more control and am actually taking him for a walk instead of the other way around. He is an expert at sitting. I am still working on him lying down but he is making progress and he responds well to the stay and come command. He has not chewed anything up so I'm really happy with that. Overall he has improved a lot and I am grateful for the assistance you have given us, it has made a huge difference.”
A Hallet, Lower Hutt
"Smudge (the cat) is doing really well...I'm playing with her a lot more and she has got so much more vocal and affectionate...when she gets upset at something she now sits up high and sees everything but she doesn't run away anymore...I had some friends staying with me over the weekend and she was fine with them. So we have made definite progress.”
M Alexander, Auckland
"I wanted to say again just how much we appreciated your efforts and the time you went to, with coming up with so many different suggestions and ideas – Esher is a much happier dog!! No long faces when it is time for us to go out .........when we return home, he is again happy and shows no sign of distress – the longest stint was 6 hours and there were no problems at all. We try to do the clicker training every few days and he really thrives on this and the extra attention. It is amazing how responsive he is – just shows you can teach an old dog new tricks!!! Thank you so much once again."
V Stevens, Upper Hutt
"I just wanted to say a big thank you. The terrible two are no longer! They are wonderful dogs! ...No more eaten carpet...Cleo now comes on the first call when we are walking, even if there is dead fish or poos! Lulu hardly pulls on the lead and I no longer have a dislocated shoulder! So things are going well. We are working hard with the clickers and building their confidence....I cant remember when Lulu last went for a wee when patted.....and they have almost stopped jumping when we get home!!!!!!!!!! Thanks heaps."
S and M Thomas, Petone
"Training is going well with Tommy..we are using the clicker a lot and have started work on “leave it” training which is really helping...he is so good at sitting now which is great. Thank you again for all of your help and the booklets you gave us, the whole service is very professional.”
S Fagan, Tawa
Case studies
Betty the minature poodle
I visited Betty as she was growling at other dogs on her walks. Prior to visiting with Betty she had also barked when seeing other dogs on her walks. A previous trainer had advised Betty’s mum to spray water at her each time she barked and yell “no” – this did stop the barking but unfortunately this did not stop the growling nor make Betty any more comfortable around other dogs. Betty was scared of dogs, and her barking and growling was Betty’s only defence! By spraying water and shouting at Betty her fear was actually increasing, and the real cause of her behaviour had been left unaddressed.
We took Betty to her local park and worked to change her association of other dogs from a negative to a positive one. Within one session we saw a large improvement in Betty’s behaviour and she was able to remain calm whilst other dogs came very close to her. Betty’s mum continued to work with her and used my advised methods at the park each day. Betty now meets up and runs about with many dogs at the park on a daily basis (often including my own!). She is a much more confident dog and it is a pleasure to see her in close contact with other dogs without the fear responses she once showed.
Betty having fun at the park with other dogs
Ella and Mia, the feral kittens
Ella
Mia
Ella and Mia are my cats, and came to us as SPCA foster kittens at the age of 10 weeks. They came from a feral mother and had received little or no contact with humans. Kittens beyond the age of 8 weeks are generally extremely difficult to socialise. Mia and Ella were extremely frightened kittens. Mia slowly began to respond to us and within a few weeks with gentle handling she was purring at my touch. Ella however was an entirely different story! She did not progress and it was advised I have her euthanaised as she was not rehomable. I refused to listen and we adopted the kittens and continued to work with them. I began using T-touch massage techniques aimed at desensitising Ella to human touch, Bach flower remedies, herbal calming tablets and other strategies aimed at reducing her fear and building her confidence and noticed gradual improvement. Four months after the kittens came to stay Ella purred at my touch, instead of flinching and stiffening. This was a huge turning point for Ella and she has never looked back. Both cats are now fantastically affectionate and loving. They are nervous around strangers and on coming into contact with new situations, and they always will be, but in every other respect they are now normal well-adjusted cats. Ella and Mia have taught me so much about rehabilitating feral and timid cats from observing their behaviour and the vast amount of research I undertook in attempting to help them. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to welcome them into our home, allowing them to live a life as stress free as possible, whilst encouraging them to adapt to and tolerate new experiences at their own pace. They have come so far and I am constantly amazed at their adaptability and continued emotional growth. The most important lesson I have learnt from Ella and Mia is to never give up on an animal, no matter how hopeless the situation may appear. |
