Referrals:
A class outing to the Back Porch Coffee House.
Left to right:
Chris & Monte, Kara & Lucy, Carol & Ginger
Bodhi is our very sensitive Tibetan Terrier. He is a loveable, smart guy who also has a problem with fear aggression with other dogs. (Part of it may come from when he and his buddy Dillon were attacked by two off leash Rottweilers.) Recently, we were walking in the park, when Bodhi saw a dog coming our way. He was so quick that he pulled the leash out of my hands and wound up biting the dog. I was devastated. This was an escalation in bad behavior. Bodhi had made a “scene” before, but never bitten.
Immediately, I looked for a trainer that could help us. I found Dogs, Ltd on the web and called Linda to discuss Bodhi’s situation. She was extremely supportive and asked a lot of questions. She made me feel like I was not the only owner with a “problem child” and told me there was hope for Bodhi. I must say that Linda’s knowledge and experience with aggressive dogs was evident from the very beginning.
Linda started with the Safer Dog Aggression evaluation and Bodhi did pretty well! Then we started the Reactive Dog class to work on his behavioral issues. Linda did a great job at instilling confidence in both Bodhi and myself. She teaches specific ways to relax and handle the dog so that both Bodhi and I know what to do when we see a strange dog. She does it in a safe and controlled environment where we can further our new skills.
If you are having a problem with your dog, I highly recommend you give Dogs Ltd a call. Linda will give you a professional and honest evaluation and develop a plan for you and your dog. Bodhi and I have learned a lot of new methods to manage and improve his response to other dogs. We have made progress and will continue to apply what we have learned in new situations.
Deborah Hilleren
Brasada Ranch
Powell Butte, OR
Linda started with the Safer Dog Aggression evaluation and Bodhi did pretty well! Then we started the Reactive Dog class to work on his behavioral issues. Linda did a great job at instilling confidence in both Bodhi and myself. She teaches specific ways to relax and handle the dog so that both Bodhi and I know what to do when we see a strange dog. She does it in a safe and controlled environment where we can further our new skills.
If you are having a problem with your dog, I highly recommend you give Dogs Ltd a call. Linda will give you a professional and honest evaluation and develop a plan for you and your dog. Bodhi and I have learned a lot of new methods to manage and improve his response to other dogs. We have made progress and will continue to apply what we have learned in new situations.
Deborah Hilleren
Brasada Ranch
Powell Butte, OR
Best Buddies Go Everywhere Together!
I was referred to Linda, Dogs Ltd & Training, to assess my 11 month old German Sheppard for dangerous aggression. Ginger had always been friendly, outgoing and happy with people and with other animals visiting our home. Ginger had already become a member of our family and traveled everywhere with us, whether to town or on a trip. It is important to my husband and me for Ginger to be well mannered and social; to this end we enrolled her in puppy training and progressed to intermediate training. Ginger is smart and quickly learns commands; she wants to please and is motivated by positive reinforcement (treats).
Just one thing was keeping her from meeting all the goals we had for her. She would bark aggressively at any other dogs she would see or meet while on a leash or when riding in a car. Her bark was very aggressive sounding and off putting to others (scary).
My trainer was concerned that Ginger could become dangerous and a liability to us as owners, she referred us to Linda of Dogs Ltd. & Training to assess her and provide us with a recommendation. Ginger was tested by Linda and found not to be mean or dangerous. Linda diagnosed Ginger with “leash aggression,” Linda tells us that leash aggression is not uncommon with German Shepherds. The next step was one on one training with Linda followed by a group class with four other German Shepherds and their owners. The first class taught me how to respond to Ginger’s aggression and maintain in control. The second class taught both of us how to relate to other dogs and owners. I learned to be alert to our surroundings and how to respond to signals from Ginger.
At the end of this training Ginger and I were able to go with our class into public situations and behave with good manners. Ginger and I were then able to return to our original trainer and complete the last intermediate class and move on to advanced training. We have now completed advanced training and Ginger has passed the AKC “Canine Good Citizen” test. There are ten steps to become an official “Good Citizen”, one of the steps is to meet other dogs on leash without responding to them. She needs to be focused on me and behave as she has been taught. If she had pulled on the leash or barked it would have been an automatic fail.
The success we have had is due to the skills we received from Linda at Dogs Ltd & Training. My husband and I are retired and now we can take Ginger with us knowing we can help her maintain her composure. All of the training Ginger has received is based on reward and not punishment. She continues to be a happy, energetic and loving German Shepherd. Next we plan to explore Therapy Dog training. I am a retired RN and would love for Ginger and me to help others. Our journey with Ginger began at nine weeks of age. Ginger is now fifteen months and we look forward to many years together.
Thank you Linda all you have done. Ginger is a “good girl”, she doesn’t even bark in the car anymore.
Carol Rountree
Prineville, Oregon
Training with Linda West was my last effort to correct my German Sheherd's behavioral problems. In the first session, he was labeled a 'challenge'. After eight weeks, he surprised all of us with his acheivements.
We are now entering a new phase of training and I look forward to uncovering the hidden talents within Echo.
Echo and I walked Sunday evening. Everyone and their Uncle were out with their dogs..ugh. However, Echo and I passed on one side of the street and a man with a malamute walked on the other side of the street. Echo didn't strain at the leash, he didnt make any vocal noise at the other dog and he only looked at the dog a little. I "spotted" him the whole way past the dog and he stayed focused and ate. Again, only a little hair up,but no aggressive physical action.
To be honest, he behaved so good - no vocal, no lunging,no pulling..just eating his "spots."
Tricia Cole
Bend Oregon
