Testimonials

Mon, 28 Nov 2005

Hi Ann:

I am really glad I "found" you.  After our FAMILY DOG TRAINING lessons,
things have improved tremendously for Kobi and US. We  really cannot
praise you enough for all the help, suggestions and ideas we have
received from you.  Kobi is so much better behaved and we have  learned
to change our approach with him (I think it's called TRAINING THE
TRAINER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]   Your tricks have made our walks happier
and answering the door is not a nightmare any more.  It is very evident
that you truly  understand dogs and your approach to training works
extremely well.

Thanks again for eveything.
Rod and Anneliese Villeneuve.

August 2004

Dogs ‘n’ Company you have been a god send to me. Just when we were about to give up on our family pet I took a step that would change everything. I contacted Ann Hazlett of Dog ‘n’ Company and explained our demise and how our dog was ruining our lives and that I was at my wits end with him and I thought I had tried everything humanly possible to correct him. We had our Beagle since he was four months old and now at 8 months he had destroyed furniture, was biting family members and barked like crazy. Ann sent out Chandra, her trainer, to do a home assessment on our pooch. He proved challenging but she promised there was hope. I enrolled our Beagle in their classes and within a few short weeks he was making amazing progress. What I thought I could do by reading and researching on my own was only obtainable through the class training and their invaluable advice and expertise. Dogs ‘n’ Company are top notch in behavioural management and canine training as I have come to learn. As I said, our dog used to be destructive and aggressive and would constantly bark at just about anything that moved. Through repeated proper guidance and training with Dogs ‘n’ Company, the dog is no longer destructive nor aggressive and no longer barks at everything. Sure he still barks occasionally (not very often) but hey, he is a dog right? I went from taking the dog for walks worrying about how he was going to behave and cringing when I would see someone coming towards me with their dog wondering if mine would try to lunge and get out of control. Now I walk my dog without incident. I notice people struggling and trying to discipline their pets and we just glide right by. I am still amazed by his progress. Talk about a total turn around in his behaviour. I will forever be grateful for the generous help and advice and know who to call should I have any problem in the future. Thank you so much. You are the very best.

And actually it was not so much training the dog as it was training us how to handle the dog. There are no bad dogs. Just uneducated owners. Take the time and train your dog you won’t regret it. I am living proof.

Thanks again Dogs ‘n’ Company for all you have done and continue to do for us.

Patricia, Lewis, James and of course Bullet (our Beagle)

Kullick's story….

Before….
A high energy, wildly sociable, friendly pup with NO manners or constraints… but very lovable and eager to please, but also very determined to do things "his" way. And he was persistent! He was also a medium size part Husky who could intimidate people with his high energy antics… when they would pull away, he would be even more determined to not get left out and then would try even harder to engage them….with no idea of his strength..

After Ann…
Still a wonderfully lovable and high energy, friendly pup. Ann gave his owner the confidence to persist with simple training and the big hurdle was just being more persistence and patient than Kullick. And his owner realized that his eager to please nature made him easier to train and to continue upgrading… he is so proud to show off what he has learned! Kullick has come to realize that more social benefits come to a better-behaved pup than to one whom folks are a bit afraid of! (And although he's not yet perfect, our houseguests are amazed at the more serene nature of Kullick when they come to visit!) He knows that the kitchen is off-limits during dinner (a new rule taught by his owner! Wow, I did it!)

Thanks for the invaluable advice ANN…. And continued support.

Karen Lassen and Kullick

I have been to a few training courses with various dogs of mine over the years, and all have had their good points. This time I decided to try a locally-based company, purely for ease of access. From my first phone-call through to graduation I was completely converted, and will return to Dogs & Company whenever I need help!

The main advantage of this company lies in their people and their realistic approach to training. Ann impressed me first of all by making a home visit to see all of us in our natural environment before making a recommendation about what would be best for us and our dog. And it just got better! Class size was always small and Ann talked with each participant at every class about the progress made, current problems, and possible future concerns.

The attention to detail and the care for each dog and his associated humans was exceptional at all times; realistic situations and scenarios were offered rather than the more typical sterile environment. I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed myself as much in any other training course. (Although it is always enjoyable to work with your dog.) I enjoyed the obvious social aspect and not being made to feel like automated, as most other courses seem to propound. As for my dogs, they enjoyed all the same aspects that I did, and probably for all the same reasons! I should also note that both of my dogs evince greater self-confidence now than they did prior to the course, and that I am very happy with their attitudes!

Helpfulness and understanding, laughter and realism were the cornerstones of all our sessions. Ann is also extremely forthcoming with the loaning of materials (like crates), and the after-service (future help offered, always phone with concerns!) is something I have no doubt will be at a similarly exemplary level of professionalism and humanitarianism.

Susan Semark - Keops Technologies Inc.,

April 26, 2002

Dear Ann

I wish to express my heartfelt thanks. You offer continued support anytime a dilemma arises, and cheer us on each step of the way, and you have included us in your extended family (a part of the pack indeed!)

Dogs and company is an asset to our community -- demonstrating outstanding professionalism, providing education and awareness for dog owners and their dogs. What I have learned from you along the way is invaluable and I'm pround to be a student and a club member of Dogs and Company!

Sincerely,

Nadine McKenzie and "Dax"

Dear Ann:

You are the bestest!!! Please sign us all up for another session.

Three years ago the cutest Aussie puppy came into my life and we have been on a journey since. His name is Rogue.

Rogue is one of those dogs that most training books describe and then recommend that this type of dog should be handled by an experienced trainer – seek help!

So we did – Rogue has taken my husband and I to trainers, behaviourists, private classes, group classes, seminars, workshops. We’ve read books, articles, visited websites and even called specialist across the country.

We’ve tried treat method, we’ve weaned, been patient, T-touch, classical and operant training methods. Not to mention the collars, leashes and more… We ensured good nutrition, health, exercise and routine. And finally even considered drugs and euthanasia. We experienced disappointment, confusion, stress and tears. But we continued to support and be proud of Rogue’s small steps.

Recently, we adopted another Aussie – confident 7 year old Shaq. He was to be Rogue’s companion and perhaps learn a thing or two from him. To boost Shaq’s spirits (from missing his family) we decided that agility would be something fun for him to do – so we dragged Rogue along for the outing. I had heard that agility was a good confidence builder and a possible remedy for fearful dogs but didn’t quite realize the miracle that was about to take place…

At our first course, which by the way is a 2 hour drive there and back, I was convinced we were in the right place. Ten weeks later my fearful-aggressive dog is smiling in situations that normally would cause him to loose his mind. It was confidence that he needed. Ann, you listened to him, you saw his potential, gave us hope, helped me correct mistakes I was making and taught us how to not let Rogue fail by applying firm, friendly ways and good human/dog communications skills.

I recently read a book that describes the relationship between human and canine is that of a dance. Ann not only do you possess the knowledge of that dance, you showed Rogue and I how.

You do have letters after your name they are PHD - T (Professional Human and Dog – Trainer) and MDBF (man and dog’s best friend), to mention a couple.

Thanks for helping us live happily ever after.

Your friends,

Angie, Eric, Rogue & Shaq

April 5, 2002

Dogs & Company
1145 Concession St.
Russell, Ontario

Dear Ann,
I just wanted to send you a short note saying Thank You. You gave me my dog back.

When we first got Scooby from the SPCA, we were not pleased with his behavior and my husband said that if the dog's behavior did not improve we would have to get rid of him. Scooby was aggressive when told what to do and was generally a bratty dog but Scooby is now sitting, lying down and coming on command with absolutely no sign of aggression. He is a completely different dog.

You are a fantastic dog trainer and you and your company are responsible for helping me keep a very loved member of our family. I can't thank you enough for the kindness and patience you have given us.

Best regards,

Lori Mann

Subject: Re: Hello
Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 14:48:37 -0400
From: "Donna Lee" pang.lodge@nunanet.com
Organization: Auyuittuq Lodge
To: "Ann Hazlett" Imartine@cyberus.ca

Hi Ann,
I'm so pleased to hear from you. Taz is doing wonderful. We were out walking last night and he still just trucks along. He sits and stays, but sometimes gets overwhelmed when there is someone new to antagonize. I put him in his kennel. You were right on the mark about him paying one off the other though. Unfortunately, I'm the hard one and Rick is the softie. He was quite upset about not sleeping in our bed and took his revenge out on us three nights in a row with wet spots at the door. When he gets really mad, he aims at the persons shoes and usually gets it right on centre. This was aimed at Rick and he had wet Nike's for a few days. Kennel for a night and so far all is well.

You will be hearing from a lady named Karen. She is very interested in getting her dog to you to help in training. I can't say enough good stuff about you guys. I know he was well looked after, and has come back a changed little guy. He is just a little delight to be around instead of the demon dog he was. Please, Ann, if anyone every needs references, have them contact me. I would be delighted to talk to them, and tell them how wonderfully impressed I am. Thanks so much for all your help. I'll keep in touch.

Donna

----- Original Message -----
From: Ann Hazlett
To pang.lodge@nunanet.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 02. 2001 12:19 PM
Sugject: Hello

Hi Donna,

How is my little Tazeroony?

I am assuming that things are fine because I haven't heard from you yet.

Let me know.

Ann