An Open Letter To Anyone Considering Rapid Response Dog Training:

I adopted an Australian Cattle Dog mix in January 2004. I had never owned a dog from the puppy stage before and hoped that training a dog from the start would give me a better, more predictable companion. I chose my pup (after love at first sight left and common sense returned) based on the fact that the two other dogs of this breed I had come in contact with were smart, loyal and appeared to be good with their owners. However, despite all of my efforts, our lives were turned upside down by an animal that was consistently outsmarting us. Gabi would bite our hands and nip at our feet when she wanted attention. She would eat any kind of paper or fabric she could get her teeth into. We tried everything imaginable-cans with pennies, spray bottles, dog obedience training, reading books, growling back…you get the idea. I was concerned not so much for us, because I believed the biting was playful rather than malicious, but for others who might come into our home, especially children.

In a chance meeting with someone, I mentioned the difficulties I was having with Gabi. This person told me that she had hired Ron and that he and Charlie had worked wonders for her dog, Lola. In desperation, I looked up the website she had referred me to and the rest is history.

Ron came out and did an assessment of my dog, followed by a demonstration with Charlie. It was obvious by the way Charlie looked at Ron that the retriever truly loved and wanted to please his owner. Ron assured me that my dog could indeed be worked with and was a ‘good’ dog. After our first real session with the e-collar I was able to immediately control or eliminate approximately 90% of Gabi’s negative behaviors. This was such a motivator that practicing with Gabi for 15-20 minutes a day was a joy. Each day she got better and better. Within two weeks (remember Gabi is very smart!) she was consistently coming when called, heeling off leash, sitting, laying down, obeying the "no" command and able to play freely with us in the yard. Being able to play Frisbee or ball with her in my unfenced, large corner lot became one of the best benefits of the program. Her biting was drastically reduced and at this time, 4-6 weeks later, while she still needs reinforcement in this area, is under control. (Biting is a strong urge in this breed according to sources.) She is a now a calmer, even more lovable and totally loyal dog.

I cannot thank Ron enough for giving me the kind of pet I was hoping for and returning normalcy to our home. While the financial investment in the program was a concern to me at first, I now realize that I could have spent far more that this in sequential dog obedience courses, which would not have given me the same result. I now look at the sessions as a bargain. I was also concerned about the use of an e-collar, but friends, who are dog lovers, reassured me that using the e-collar was preferable to having to give up a dog I loved because I couldn’t control her.

I was afforded a rare opportunity to receive private instruction at my home. Ron is professional, patient, has expertise in this area and possesses a gift for being able to work with the individual to improve his/her skill. He is truly an educator not only of dogs, but also of humans.

Marcy J., Proud owner of Gabi.