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First of all, let me just say that I love my dog and I am devoted to his care and happiness, but he has been allowed to get away with too much. Basically, he is a spoiled brat. Just because a dog is a Humane Society rescue, neglected and maybe even abused in his past, is no reason to let him have free reign over you and your home. It isn't good for you and it certainly isn't good for the dog. I am here to attest to that. Although I have not neglected his training completely, I admit to being too lax in his discipline. I have struggled for years trying to convince my dog I am the leader in our home, without success. I tried one dog trainer whose training methods included treats and time outs. I quickly realized this dog is not food driven, and the time outs became a game for him. So, I gave up on that. I have tried clicker training and whistles, and I swear he looked at me like I was crazy. I have watched countless TV shows about dog behavior, and mostly became discouraged because even though I knew what needed to be done to take control, I was unable to put it into practice. I know I have a smart dog, but I didn't know how to challenge him. I know he is a high energy dog, but I have been unable to exhaust him. I had come to the realization that my dog is smart enough to know how to push my buttons. He is a dog with his own agenda. Sometimes he obeys commands, but that is just to humor me. I have put up with excited barking until I want to pull out my hair. I got to the point where I could not show any excitement myself without him nipping me. I made excuses.....he is being true to his breed which probably some type of herding dog, it's just herding behavior; or, he wasn't well socialized as a puppy in his former life prior to rescue. I have had him 6 years, acceptance of bad behavior has just turned into weariness and laziness. Yes, herding dogs are smart and have to think for themselves, and yes, herding dogs will work to protect the flock. But, nipping will turn into biting if left unchecked. A working dog without a job is a frustrated dog. Frustrated dogs bark. A dog without discipline will not respect you. A dog left to his own agenda is boss.

I turned to Sully when my dog finally broke skin leaving puncture marks and a severe bruise. I had to admit that there were no more excuses. Nipping is biting and biting is unacceptable. Sully made a home visit which I highly recommend. She was able to see my dog in all his glory. She made a training plan for both my dog and myself. She made sure I understood what the goals were. Homework was assigned. We have a focus exercise I use when we go for walks. Although we do not walk our usual 3 miles as the focus work slows us down, he is much more tired when we return home, and I am much more relaxed. He was able to walk fairly well on a short leash, but now he walks next to me on a leash with as much slack as I want to give with much less pulling. He is also learning some chores around the house. He is learning how to pick things up and bring them to me. This not only gives him a purpose, and believe me, this dog needs to feel like he is working, but it reinforces in his head (and mine) who is boss. Right now, he is on a leash in the house at all times when I am home. I correct the barking immediately when it starts. In just a few short days, I have noticed big changes. He has rules and seems to appreciate them. Privileges are earned, not assumed. He is using his brain, which has calmed him down some. He still has some work to do with barking, but it has only been a few days, and I have no doubt we will overcome that as well. I am very impressed at the progress we have made in just a short time, by using the right approach for my dog. I feel much more in control, and my dog seems as happy as ever.

All of this with one home visit. Also, I much appreciated the follow up call I got a few days later. My dog and I are signed up for beginning obedience classes. If all goes well, we will move on to play and train classes. I'm really looking forward to my new roll as boss of the house.
Beth and Riley

 

 


I took my German Shephard, Freya, to Sully because our daily walks were becoming impossible. She started developing a severe dog aggression at about 18 months. She had a few other problems too but the dog aggression was getting way out of hand. I told Sully that I didn't know what to do with her as I had gotten her as a traveling companion. She had been going everywhere with me but I was having to leave her at home because I couldn't trust her anymore. I've always trained my own dogs and had good well trained dogs all my life but this was just out of my league apparently.

Our first session she tried to bite almost every dog there, especially one. By the end of that evening, Freya, was ignoring the others. By the end of the second session Freya could even walk past her nemisis without snarfing at him. In our last session the two dogs were walking up and down the drive together without even thinking about it.

Sully didn't just train Freya though. She taught me to trust her too. That was a lot of our problems and as Sully pointed that out to me (often) things got better.

I'm no longer afraid to take Freya with me anywhere. She goes to lumber yards, jewerly stores, insurance agencies and newspapers and has friends in all of them. When she's not with me people ask about her and tell me to bring her next time. She hasn't even tried to eat another dog. We had a beagle in an invisible fence that would come running out at her and she would go crazy. Now we walk right past the beagle and she turns her head the other way. She even knows when to stand her ground now without going crazy. Earlier this summer my husband was walking with her and they were attacked by two Rotts. He said Freya stood in front of him and barked and growled but didn't try to attack or run. I believe that Sully gave us the confidence to trust Freya and let her do her job. So you see we all three got trained.

With Sully not only does your dog get trained, so do you. Even those of us who thought they could do it theirselves can learn from her.

If I hadn't gone to Sully with Freya I think I might have given up and her life would have been living in our back yard with just the family but now she has tons of friends and family that she gets to see all the time. Her life is enriched by having new and different experiences and my life is fantastic with her by my side.

I've reccommended Sully to every dog owner I know, I pass out her cards and tell everyone how much she helped Freya and I. Freya and I have done three levels of training and I've seen her with dogs I thought were hopeless and seen them come out the other end happy and well behaved. (Their owners too)

If you have a problem or just want to start right. This is your answer.
Linda and Freya Crainick

 

 


Hey I just wanted to drop you a note and say thanks. Thanks for what you say? Well, everytime I walk the girls someone always says how obedient they are or how well behaved. If they ask, "who is walking who?" I always tell them that I am the one doing the walking and why. They made a huge splash in Nashville, TN. The dog walkers in my daughter's community have never seen such well mannered and beautiful animals.
Tonight as I was walking my appreciation for you wisdom and kind canine savy was once again witnessed. As we passed another dog on our walk the girls walked by calmly while the other dog tugged and pulled at it's leash. Thank you, thank you, thank you. They are both doing a sit stay as I cross the road for probably about 20 yards then they come bounding to me sliding to a sit stay between my legs.
I have never enjoyed any dogs as much as these and I know that it is because of your investment in them. Thanks again.
Don and "The Girls"

 

 


Without a doubt, Sully has made a difference in my life with 2 year old Border Collie, "Bella." I contacted her in desperation, as Bella was becoming more and more aggressive towards other dogs. Sully quickly sensed that her problem was due to a lack of socialization and fear. Her decision to "hold her down" and reintroduce her to the pack was nothing short of amazing!
While we still have other behaviors to work on, I'm confident that with Sully's guidance, we'll get where we need to be. It's great knowing that I have the best and most reliable resource for learning to be a good dog person.
Thanks Sully!

Tia and Bella

 


Having been to several dog trainers in the past, we have found the trainer that both my dog and I need to be with. She is the best. She is Sully and I can't remember life before Sully. She has helped my dog Auggie and me through each phase from new puppy to the current almost two years old. Sully helps you in every situation that can come up from basic obedience to every day life with your pet. She is continually available if a problem occurs that you may need help solving. I am sure that I probably have learned as much from Sully as Auggie my dog has. Auggie and I are looking forward to future time spent with Sully and the friends that we have met in her classes. What a great experience.

Vicki and Augie



"Sully is the best people trainer I have ever known. My dog always 'gets it', it usually takes me a while. We are currently taking Play & Train lessons from Sully, and we are both enjoying the process. Tia is getting more focused, and I am getting more logical in my partnership with my dog. Sully has always advocated getting your dog to work, with you and for you. It has taken me a while, but I finally 'get it'. I spent the weekend gardening while Tia lounged under the hammock wondering why I was ignoring her. Then it dawned on me that she might like to help (little Sully voice in my head). In short order, I taught her to bring a trowel to where I was working. Then, I found my garden tool bag, filled it up, and taught her to bring it to wherever I was working. I've never seen her prance so proudly! She was so happy to be helping me, and I was so happy to have her be part of what I was doing. We grew a little together that day. Thanks to Sully and her persistence in drilling ideas into our heads. I am living proof that eventually the humans will get it. (Not all of it, mind you, and not all at once, but we will get some of it eventually.)"
Christy and Tia



"I would recommend Sully's School of Dog Training to any of my friends. I have been going to Sully since February 2002. I have a little dog and Sully came to my home and started training me and Coco. Not only does she help train your dog but also trains you to learn how to cope with your dog. Coco was only about 2 1/2 months old when we started and there were times I didn't think I would make it. Sully was there to help me through it. I have not seen a dog that does not like Sully. Coco is ready to graduate and she will have a cap and tassle, but she [Sully] won't be rid of Coco and me yet. We're still going to class. I just believe there is so much more that we can both learn. I would like to take this time and thank Sully for all her help and patience. I really don't know what we'd have done without her."
Elaine and Coco


"Sully wants the dog and the owner to have a relationship that is satisfying to them both. She believes that caring owners can handle their dogs, they just need the right tools, and she teaches those tools. Sully is a dependable resource who is willing to answer any questions no matter how trivial and to help owners work with their pets on any problems they may encounter. But the best thing about Sully's School of dog training is , she makes them so much fun for the dogs as well as the owners!!!!!"
Jewell and Sony


"My 3 year old rat terrier Maggie has been fearful and timid all her life. When my boyfriend moved in April 2002 she got even worse, cowering in the bathroom and wetting on the floor and hiding in her kennel. She started this high pitch screaming and yiping if he even looked at her, let alone tried to touch her. I called Sully for help and we started private lessons. After the first couple lessons Maggie was showing improvement. Sully worked with Matt, Maggie and myself to teach us how to help her cope with her fear. Maggie now attends weekly classes at the training grounds with other dogs and is making great progress. She willingly gets in the car, which used to terrify her. She rides on Matt's lap the whole way and looks to him for security. At home she is much much better, more relaxed and has began playing with the other dogs again. She comes to Matt when he calls her and lets him pick her up on his lap to pet her. My little dog is learning to be happy and calm with Sully's help. We have a lot of work ahead of us still, but Maggie didn't get this way overnight. I talked to others about Maggie before I called Sully and was told that she was either most likely beyond help and should be put down, or would need to be drugged for the rest of her life. That was a terrible thing to hear, and Sully really has been a lifesaver for us all."
2005 update:
Maggie continues to do well. Even to this day she is becoming more comfortable and happy in her world. She has very little fear left in her. She is confident and happy. She loves to play with Matt and even go for rides in the car. She greets strangers as if they were old friends. The little bit of confidence she gained with Sully has set her on a path to a whole new life."
2006 update:
I don't know if Maggie could possibly be any better! She is such a normal, happy dog now! Occasionally in new situations she gets a little clingy with me but that's pretty rare. She allows kids to come up and pet her when we are out walking.
Stacy, Matt and Maggie