LEADER OF THE PACK

Testimonials for Leader of the Pack Dog Training:

Yesterday was a BIG day for us! Petey passed his certification to become a therapy dog! Now he can go into schools, hospitals, nursing homes and bring some good feelings to others. Ron and I thought of Regan all day as we could imagine his delight at his once hyper, loud beagle behaving so perfectly. We also are touched at the "cycle of life" that Petey represents. He so contributed to our healing after Regan's death, and now can continue to do so for others.

... The one challenge that Petey faced was other dogs. He had a tendency to rush them which would have disqualified him. We found a fabulous trainer here, Alison Armao, who worked with us to help us desensitize him and did it work! As you can see from the pictures, he hardly paid the other dogs any attention! Once he stood beside a drooling Bull Mastiff, the biggest of the dogs, and he didn't even respond.

Elisabeth

Just a note to thank you for your excellent work with Dixie. She is a sweet dog but was lacking in some of the "social skills" mainly due to lack of training. In just one session you showed me and Dixie how to work together. She is now answering commands and working off leash with less worry on my part that she will run off. We still have a ways to go but she has shown such a difference since your session. Dana and I can't thank you enough for your help. It is a pleasure to take Dixie in public and know that there will not be a tug of war or bad manners.

I strongly endorse your training technique for its thoroughness and ease of application.

Kindest regards,

Mike and Dana C.

Hi, Alison...we think of you often and are still practicing what you taught us. Riley is now fine with people, better with other dogs...he will mostly just walk by and ignore them and also I can stop some 10 feet away and talk with a neighbor and both dogs will sit and ignore each other. He travels well and adjusts to new houses well also. We will probably still need another lesson or two with other dogs. Have to get his nails clipped this week..it will be his first time. When the weather was cooler we walked him about an hour twice a day and the asphalt wore them down, but he really had a hard time during the heat of the July and August and we shortened the walks, so the nails have grown. I bought one of those peticure things which is really a glorified "drill" type thing you were talking about, but I would like to get them done once professionally so I can see what it is all about. We'll go to Groomingdales. I have talked with them and there is one tech there who is particularly good with frightened dogs and they said I could hold him, so I will be doing my "calm, assertive, this-is-really-no-big-deal" attitude...my nephew and his wife had the vet do them and they "knocked him out"...can you imagine ?? Thanks again for all your help and we will be in touch later..

Suellen and Mike M.

This is Petey's story part one - which most of you already saw - but I made some changes to the text to show our appreciaton for all the help and support from the dog whisperer Alison Armao! Feel free to share this wonderful success story as much as you want!

Petey's mother was rescued pregnant by the Palmetto Animal League and the first 4 months of his life he was raised by his foster mom Amy. Then he found us and even if he is deaf he stole our hearts from the first second we met him. He listens with his eyes and nose. It is a blessing to be owned by this dog and share his life. Thank you to PAL and Amy for saving his life! And Thank you to the most amazing Trainer Alison Armao who teaches us to communicate with sign language and smell. You created another magical success story!

Gudrun K.

Thank you for the pictures! Makes me cry but I love to see her looking healthy and happy! You are such a blessing to us!

Lauren

Rich and I wanted to take a moment and thank you for helping us to understand the best way to introduce his dog Colonel and my cats, Tyger, Tuxedo and Manolito.

Since the beginning of December we've kept the cats in one part of the house with a gate so that everyone could see, sniff and touch noses. There was hissing and little growling. As you also suggested, we gave the cats free run of the house while Colonel was outside. They found favorite places and the sun. We also brought the cats out while Colonel was in the house on a leash which worked well.

Needless to say, the Christmas holidays were filled with visitors and activitiy so we kept the cats sequestered much to their chagrin. But last Sunday, I was home alone with Colonel and the cats and decided that the time had come for them to interact, and they did, beautifully. There was some hesitation on behalf of the cats and even Colonel, but I think in a few months we'll have cat and dog friends. They sniff, play coy, Tyger drinks from Colonel's water bowl while Colonel is eating and the others walk around seeking out new spaces.

Alison, thank you for helping us realize that this was a possibility but that it would take time and patience. You'll have to visit Buck Point Road again when the weather is warm to see the results of the seeds you planted.
Have a wonderful year and thank you again!

Gigi H. & Rich M.

more testimonials coming soon...