Dog Training Supplies and Equipment

Testimonials / References:

This is selection of references available. For privacy reasons client details have been omitted, but these can be made available at the time of appointment if required. Where extracts of reference have been used, full details can be made available to underpin the testimonials.

2008-02-15

(Dogtech Ballarat) Beaver is doing very well! We're even getting to the point where a person can come up to him and gently pet him under the chin (he has issues with being petted on top of the head, he'll lower his head and squint!) while he sits there quite calm - I'm so proud of him, no growling or snapping like he used to!! He will come to Peter when he calls, but we have yet for him to gain enough trust to allow Peter to pick him up - we're working on it. His "safe place" in his bed in the lounge is the best place in the world to him. When people come over, despite the back door being open, he will chose to sit in his bed and watch the people in the room, with him actually sneaking up to select people for a good sniff!! We still have yet to tackle the mistrust he has of people who are offering him food, he will approach to take it, he will retreat for a period of time then try again. We are working on it though, i am doing it too to get him to trust it. I have loved the fact that i can take him for a walk, sit down and for him to sit/lay down quietly next to me, even with people, bikes and other dogs walking past (no growling!!). Peter and I take him walking down the street and leave him outside a shop for a short time, peeking out every now and then to see a calm dog sittng/lying on the ground. He is so chilled out it makes me so proud of him. It also makes me feel as though he trusts me to lead him and that if i leave him somewhere, that's what i want him to do so he just does it without pannicking. I want to thank you so so much for giving me the tools to work with my precious little man to get him to the point when he is basically just a chilled out dog as opposed to the shivering, growling, anti-social, nervous wreck he was before!! I'm so proud of him!! Cheers & thank you so much. WH

2008-02-11

(Dogtech Ballarat) We acquired 2 refugees - a female about 3 years of age who had a litter of 10 puppies prior to coming to us. She had a history of physical abuse, little care or attention almost no training. The second dog was a male, bull arab. He came with no manners, lots of enthusiasm, and bounce. Both dogs got on well, but progressively were becoming a handful. We decided to seek professional advice and were lucky enough to find Liz via DogTech. After lengthy discussions about the dogs we managed to organise a visit. Liz was on time, very helpful, and the changes in the dogs was almost instant. Liz offered advice about the care of the dogs which related to our particular circumstances - including appropriate food, exercise, and suggestions for those times when the dogs were alone. We arranged a follow up visit and followed Liz's recommendations during the intervening time. The dogs clearly enjoyed the games, and our more decisive approach to them. Dogs are a big responsibility requiring more than a pat on the head. Liz provided us with direction, motivation, and helped to improve the quality of both dogs lives. We also have a better understanding of our dogs - thanks Liz! Greatly appreciated all your support and the fact that you are just a phone call away. All the best Ailsa, Gary & Rob G.

2008-01-29

(Dogtech Melbourne North) I have just finished my final session with Rebecca from Dogtech and let me tell you I don't think I can be more happy. I have a beagle named Cooper who is 9 months old and I found it hard to get along with him as he was showing a lot of dominance and was being a little naughty by pulling clothes off the line and jumping on everyone and not listening to me at all when in company, which I had no idea how to rectify. After my first session I had some homework to do with Cooper, which he responded to a lot better than I thought. When Rebecca came for our last session, she noticeed the changes dramatically. She had seen him sitting and staying and just responding to everything I was asking. I cannot thank her enough for the time she has given me, my relationship with Cooper is just so good now and I love being around him. I can't wait to get home to see him. I love having an obedient dog, it just makes owning Cooper so much more enjoyable. Rebecca, you have helped me so much, so much that I honestly just can't thank you enough. Cooper and myself thank you. Rebecca was so professional, friendly and kind, and even when I didn't know what I was doing she always made me feel comfortable and explained everything in such detail so that I understood. It was such a pleasure I don't know why I didn't call earlier. Thanks so much again. TW & Cooper.

2007-12-14

(Dogtech Melbourne East) I would highly recommend Raven to any loving dog owner. She has helped tremendously with my Kelpie's behavioural difficulties, and taught me a thing or two as well! Serious though, her manner is beyond reproach and she has a real affinity with each dog she comes in contact with. SJ & Brandy 'Proud Dog Trainee"

2007-10-08

(Dogtech Ballarat) Firstly, let us apologise for our tardiness in sending this e-mail. We hope you haven't taken our lack of communication as a sign of dissatisfaction with your service. Quite the opposite in fact! As you know, our little (and barely a year old) Maltese-Shihtzu pup was quite a handful and was not-so-quietly driving us nuts. Boundless energy in a pup is one thing, but constant barking, whining and scratching at doors throughout the night was just the start of our problems. Let's not even mention our poor, tormented (but admirably tolerant) cat. Your visits changed the dog's behaviour for the better and significantly improved our understanding of why he was behaving as he was. The training methods we were shown are simple and fun for both of us and the dog and, importantly from our perspective, not all time consuming. The difference over the past month or two is incredible. We also appreciated your willingness to be available on the phone for any questions or issues we may have had. So now, here we are, and little HiFi is quietly laying at my feet as I type this. No longer a little monster, now a much-loved pet and companion to us both. Not only did our mischievous little man become the perfect little dog but he went from running away when we called him to being able to recall on command, sit, stay, drop, and our personal favourite, dance. I was saddened on a recent visit to the RSPCA in Gillies Street to see the abandoned dogs, and wondered whether some were simply abandoned as being too much trouble for their owners. I can't help but think that a modest investment in training some of these dogs, using your services, might have resulted in them becoming loved pets instead. Thank you for your efforts with our pup. Be assured of our recommendation to others, and please feel free to use our comments in support of your business. E&DA, Ballarat

2007-08-27

(Dogtech Ballarat) Thanks again for helping us with our Westie puppy Bonnie. We found your information and techniques for obedience very useful and the manner you use wonderful. Bonnie is improving every day and we thank you in particular Liz for this. We would recommend you and Dogtech to any dog owner who is having trouble with socialising and behaviour difficulties. Kind regards and best wishes. B&T, Edithvale

2007-08-27

2007-08-22

(DogTech Ballarat) Thank you so much for taking the time to come from Ballarat to help us with our problems with Camo, our Great Dane. A lot of it was to do with how we were with him and you helped with treating him like a dog and not a child. We have seen a lot of improvement in Camo's behaviour which is very good. We have a slight set back at the moment in which Camo has a badly broken leg but after a lot of tears he is on the road to recovery which is good because he still is my big baby but I just can't let him know that! E&SD

2007-07-05

(DogTech Ballarat)Just a short note to let you know that Katie and I have been working hard with the training and all is going well.I now realise that Katie likes being treated like a dog and not a baby and in return I have a dog that is listening to me more and trusting my decisions more. She isnt prefect by a long shot but I guess none off us are but with your advice and my determination to continue the training we will get there in the end. I thankyou for all your advice. JB / Stawell

2007-05-27

(DogTech Ballarat) After receiving my training from you I am now more confident in handling Molly, my Maltese shi-itzu. She is responding to my commands and her behaviour has improved. I found your suggestions extremely helpful and still put into practice the tethering if she is becoming unruly. She will now have quiet time herself and is not nearly as boisterous inside. Walking her is also a pleasure. Thanks for training me to become a better dog handler. I certainly needed the information. L-B

2007-02-25

(DogTech Geelong) To all existing or potential Dog-owners: I bought Solomon from his breeder when he was exactly 6 months old. He is a pure-bred whippet. Solly had spent his first six months on his breeder's 3 acre property in the company of his mother, siblings, an uncle, and other assorted canine relatives, in all 8 adults and 2 other pups. He was not accustomed to living inside, or even 'visiting' inside, hence was utterly un-house-trained! Because of the largely self-contained circumstances of his upbringing, he was also unsocialised outside his immediate pack. He was unused to a lead, or being taken for walks, or meeting with the myriad experiences to be had on a walk along any of Geelong's wonderful walking tracks. He hadn't experienced life outside his'compound'. Both my husband & I were brought up with dogs and have had dogs all of our married life - approx 40 years. Our dogs have always been indoor dogs and while I had some qualms about taking on an untrained 6-month-old, I felt confident I could cope. After a few days, I realised I needed help. Solomon is a gentle, timid little fellow who obviously missed his pack, but relished the one-to-one attention he had gained from his life change. However, in everything except our exchange of affection, I was lost. My first attempt at taking him for a walk was a nightmare. In the first place, he jibbed at getting in the car - I had to physically lift him in! Then when we got to the river path, he was terrified of everything - bicycles, prams, other dogs on leads, traffic noises - all the sights, sounds and movement that is routine in our riverside environment. This disaster was followed by more. He would run if I picked up the lead, he avoided the garage like the plague, he acted as if I had whipped him when I raised my voice, and his ongoing trademarks were making my sitting-room carpet look like a patchwork quilt!! On perusing the net, I came across DogTech. I had heard of the dog whisperer but did not really understand what it was all about, nor that there was a dog-whisperer here in Geelong. What I read on the net made me think this could be helpful to my plight. Just one week after Solly had come to live with me, Deb Fratantero of DogTech Geelong came to my rescue. Deb came to my home for what was to be the first of 2 x 2-hour training sessions. This week I cancelled the second session. Why? Because the first was so effective and taught me so much that I do not need the second one. I cannot express strongly enough my wonderment and joy at the method used, how absolutely logical and positive and successful it is. Deb was a great teacher using the most outstanding system of dog and owner training I have ever encountered. It is totally gentle without even a raised voice. In fact the reverse - hence the title "Dog Whisperer". If I could enact legislation making this training mandatory for all would-be dog owners, I would. It results in a happy, obedient dog that belongs to an ultra-happy (also well-trained) owner. Since Deb's visit, Solly not only goes for walks, he rushes to the car, voluntarily leaps in, and even ranges up to 20 metres from me when I walk him in the off-lead areas. He comes on command, sits & stays, does not jump and the patchwork carpet is returning to its customary single hue! Just to reinforce my message, Deb came to me on 12th February. Today is Feb 24th. The results I speak of have occurred in just 12 days. Even better, if for some reason I feel in need of a revision or additional help, I can always phone and arrange it. Thank you Deb - Solly and I are enormously grateful. Please keep doing what you do. MS / Geelong

2007-02-15

PUPPY CLASS BALLARAT: Was pleasantly surprised at how professional Liz was & in the training package as a whole. With homework I feel we can go on teaching Molly almost anything.

2006-12-05

(DogTech Geelong) I would like to say a big thank you for the wonderful training DogTech has done for me. All my friends and family are absolutely thrilled with the result you achieved with just two sessions. My two Jack Russells were barking a lot during the day and also I was having trouble walking them, with Roly, the male, showing agression towards any other person or dog who was near us. I had become frightened to walk them and it was not an enjoyable time at all. It was important for me to have my dogs under control, and you helped me to take control and treat them as DOGS, not babies. It was not easy - it was hard work - however the result is AMAZING! I can now walk my dogs without fear and with a new found confidence. I am so happy with the result that DogTech gave me. You helped me to understand their body language and how to take control in any situation. I wish you all the success in the future, which is well deserved. THANK YOU SO MUCH! ER/Ayres Inlet.

2006-11-29

(DogTech Ballarat) Zoe my precious 1? year old golden retriever had my husband and I wrapped around her paw.Walking her had become a nightmare for me due to her size and strength, so I rang Liz after seeing a story in the Ballarat News. Liz was really good, she knew the changes we needed to make were not going to be easy for us and her encouragement helped us do what needed to be done. Within the first week not only my husband and I noticed a difference, but visitors commented also. (I was a little surprised that some things had improved so quickly). By the last visit my husband and I could see the end results; we realized the benefits of what we were doing far out-weighed the way we felt. Because Zoe is such a big part of the family we are now able to take her with us more and be confident in our abilities to manage her better, instead of being stressed. Zoe is still a work in progress, she has not lost her doganality (personality), but has benefited from having a few rules set in place. Thanks Liz CG Ballarar

2006-10-09

I just wanted to write and say a huge thank you for all your help with Charlie and Lily. It has now been 3 months since you have been with us and we have kept up the things that you told us to do and these have worked a treat with Charlie and Lily improving their behaviour unbelievably. We really do appreciate all your help and should we have any questions in the future we will definitely be in contact with you. A&E/T

2006-10-02

(DogTech Ballarat) We would like to thank you and let you know how much Bill and I are satisfied with the effective dog training provided by you. Our rottweiler puppy T-Bone is very energetic and playfull. Thank you for teaching us how to treat him the right way. The training by you has helped immensely on getting him on listening to commands. Still training with T-Bone to walk on the leash and his gentle leader. But it has improved much since you came out. His behaviour scratching on the windows when outside has changed. He still is a puppy at 5 months, but i am sure we will train him the right way. A big thank you from Bill and I. We appreciate all the help and training you provided for us. And sure, if we have any more problems to get in contact with you. We also like to thank you for the call up's to see how the training is going. Keep up doing such a good job!!! Heidi&Bill

2006-09-01

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help with Mia (my 1 year old weimaraner ) over the last month. As you know without your help we were seriously thinking about giving in and giving Mia away, we were at the end of our rope with her, Mia was a aggressive with our other dog Cleo (our 2 year old Husky), she was disobedient and did what she wanted when she wanted to do it. I could not cope with Mia on my own, she would not listen to me, I certainly could not take her for a walk as she was too strong and would pull me over. Some days I did not want to come home after work knowing that I would be screaming at Mia to get on her bed all night long. I am glad to say that with your help you have changed my life, I am less stressed, I enjoy coming home and I can even take Mia for a long walk on my own without any problems, she has even calmed down a little with Cleo but until they work out the dynamics of who's boss it will continue. Both dogs know sleep in the laundry at night instead of our bedroom, there is no screaming in our house anymore it is lovely. I would recommend DOGTECH to anyone who is in need of help with there dog. D&A

2006-04-27

I would like to thank you for coming out on Easter Monday to help out with little Molly. We have had no further problems with her since and she appears to have settled down extremely well, without any more signs of anxiety. As a result, we feel a second session is unnecessary at this stage. However, we would appreciate being able to contact you again should the need arise. Once again, many thanks for your help. JML/Malvern

2005-10-03

I just wanted to drop you a note even though it has only been a day since you visited us. As I explained I felt after training a pair of German Shepard's to compete in obedience trials and a pair of Black Labradors to compete in working dog trial I was a pretty competent to train my new pair of Schnauzer puppies. I was amazed at how small they were and that my voice control system sent Zag running under the table and Zig would just go away and sulk, they would also run away for me this made me very sad and within a couple of days I lost the confidence to work with my new puppies. But I do know that the first few weeks of a puppies coming home it's important to get it right. So I made the call to you for help! When you arrived you were very complementary on the environment that I had set up for ZIG and ZAG this made me feel at least I got something right. When we talked it was all very clear and easy to understand and then we went to work Zag was very nervous and hid under the table but within minutes you had him coming and eating out of your hand literally. On a more personal note you noticed that as a person who is over weight even though I have lost 21k and shrinking fast I was having problems getting as low as you to do the training you reassured me and made sure I was OK, I felt very comfortable with you. Its Saturday morning and now I just call ZIG and ZAG and they come running and most of the time sit, ZAG has not been under the table once. I thank you so much for giving ME the confidence to work with my new puppies. I am sure we will be seeing you again when its time to play out. You said that ZIG and ZAG were so cute you could take them home one in each pocket I am sorry but you will have to make do with the a photo of ZIG and ZAG after the training session on Friday to use as you wish. Thank you J, ZIG and ZAG

2005-08-26

He is vastly improved - a different dog, as my parents remarked when they saw his behaviour. Much more calm, much less pacing, impatience, and attention-seeking behaviour. For example, when people come over to the house now, he gives them a quick sniff, and then goes back to sleeping in front of the heater. I've been able to take him in to work and tether him under my desk while I work for a hour or so, without him kicking up a fuss. It's marvellous! He's also listening a lot more, not barging through door ways and no pulling on the lead either now. I forgot to bring the Halti when I was up in the country with my parents, and even without it for a week or so, he was still extremely good on the lead. I'm back using it again now of course anyway. So even thus far, the improvement has been dramatic. A number of folks at my local dog park have been asking for your details having seen the change in his behaviour. Needless to say I passed on Dogtech's details! JW

2005-06-16

Just wanted to say thanks for all your help on your visit here with us.I followed all your advice & it has turned our lives around - especially the diet part. She is like a different dog now. She has become very lovable and touchable and is responding very well to all the training. You did a great job with us. Your help is very much appreciated. Many thanks. RB and Holly.

2005-04-14

Just a short note to thank you for your assistance in retraining our Dachschund Jake. Our problems with Jake ranged from barking at everything and everyone, not listening to me or other family members when he was given a command, being aggressive towards strangers, big dogs and particularly children, pulling on the lead when being walked, barking fiercely at our friends when they came to visit and generally being very overly protective of me and the family. I am pleased to say that Jake is a lot calmer and is not barking as much as he was, he is now sitting on command and not pulling on the lead when we go for walks, he is not barking at our friends like he was before and is generally obedient when asked to do something. BH - Thornbury

2005-04-11

We were only too pleased to refer you to any berner owners in need of 'dog whispering!' We were incredibly happy with all of the skills that you taught us to help manage our boisterous berner brood. As a result of this, we now feel confident being at the top of the pack! After looking at the many advertisements for a private dog trainer, we were so lucky to have struck gold ringing DogTech. Thank you so much for everything and we couldn't recommend you enough. I've sent you a couple of Bernese Mountain Dog Club newsletters that Zoe makes by mail and a letter that has been sitting on the kitchen bench for a couple of weeks so that you can see what Axel, Kitty and Lexxy are up to since I haven't been near the internet. Axel, Kitty, Lexxy & Lynette - Kooweerup

2004-09-16

Thanks for the info regarding kennels and group training for Rocky. We appreciate your dedication to making Rocky work out for us. Initially we couldn't believe our luck. Someone had surrendered a beautiful Labrador! However, in the first 2 weeks after choosing him as our pet from the RSPCA we came very close to returning him there on many occasions. What was meant to be a very happy time, turned out to be a disaster. He was completely uncontrollable, barked constantly, was overly boisterous and generally didn't fit with our expectations of a family pet. I felt I couldn't leave the house. As a last resort we decided to seek professional help and on the advice our vet we contacted you. After the very first session we noticed a difference in Rocky's behaviour. By introducing the simple techniques you demonstrated to us we were finally able to start enjoying Rocky as a family pet instead of living in fear of what new disastrous behaviours would develop. Only a few sessions were needed to set us on the right track and although Rocky still behaves just like a 12 month old Labrador he has turned from a monster to a cheeky but lovable family pet. Thanks to your advice Rocky has been saved from a return trip to the very place we rescued him from. We'll keep you posted on his progress from time to time and if we have any trouble in the future we'll be sure to contact you for help. Best regards Tamara, Andrew Ellen and Richard.

2004-02-14

Thank you for teaching us (me) how to treat Ralph like a dog and not like a furry child! Right from the first 10 minutes with you Ralph has become a different dog. He has stopped barking and jumping up; he walks beautifully on the lead and comes when he is called. Ralph was a stray and a very dominant dog. He is now a very relaxed and happy member of the family. The most pleasing result for us was that our neighbours (who were unaware of the training) noticed the changes in Ralph and commented to us even before we had a chance to ask them! ? that is a great result. We have both learned a lot about dog behaviour from you and if we obtain another dog in the future, we would invite you back to help us get on the right track. Thanks again, RI & DG 02/04

2004-02-14

Just a note to thank you for all your help & advice with Sumo. As you know Sumo is a 2-year old Bull Terrier who has been a problem on & off since he was little. Loving one moment (cuddles, pats etc) to ?don?t you dare touch me? the next. Which ended with his biting & me bleeding. All advice to us ?Best thing to put him down? from breeders and vet. But we love this guy and knew he really isn?t a bad dog. We needed help, REAL HELP. That was you, you were his last chance. It?s now 4 months since our first meeting & we have a much happier dog. Yes we get the odd cuddles (not lots!). We?re still practicing everything; there is still room for improvement & learning from both of us as leaders & Sumo. We are very happy thank you again. Hans, we would recommend you and DogTech to anyone with a dog problem. Will keep in touch, regards JE 02/04

2004-01-11

I would like to thank you and let you know how much my wife and I are thoroughly Satisfied with the effective dog training provided by you. Our rottweiler Sheeba is very dominant and energetic. The obedience training by you has helped immensely on getting her focused on listening to commands of my wife and I. Sheeba is now a very obedient dog and we are quite impressed on how she won?t aAccept food from anyone but my wife and I. Her behaviour around our nieces and nephews is excellent. She used to get quite excited when she saw them and would jump up on them, but now after the help from you, she no longer jumps up on them, she now sits for them. So once again Hans, a big thankyou from my wife and I. We appreciate all the help and training you provided for us. F&H A

2003-12-21

(DogTech Geelong) - RE: Darcy, the Dog from Hell. If you recall we adopted our Bull Terrier cross dog, Darcy, from the Animal Welfare Centre and the staff there recommended that we should adopt a different dog, as he would not be suitable as a family pet as he was too dominant and did not follow commands. They had even nicknamed him the ?Dog from Hell.? However, we had taken a liking to him and we decided to take him anyway, as the staff member who sold him to us recommended your services. After two sessions with DogTech we started noticing some changes and by consistently following your instructions on how to train him, he now has improved tremendously. He is more obedient and no longer jumps and nips at us. He knows where he stands in the ?order of the pack? and is much more settled. Thanks to your excellent techniques we are now able to enjoy him a lot more and feel certain we have done the right thing in keeping him. I wish to thank you Deb, for all your help and follow up calls, and highly recommend your services to anyone with a disobedient dog wishing to have it trained. Furthermore, I would be happy to give a testimonial to anyone who requires it. Please feel free to get any veterinarian or potential customer to contact me if required. GK-T

2003-12-21

(DogTech Geelong) I am writing to thank you so much for helping me gain control over our Boxer, Max. Five weeks ago I was regretting ever getting a dog ? I couldn?t take him for a walk without having my arm nearly torn out of its socket, he was jumping on anyone who walked by, and any visitors to our house were almost knocked down. Well since then we have seen you twice and let me say I have no regrets about buying a dog ? we now have control and I love taking him for a walk. I feel confident that he won?t pounce on anyone who enters our house ? he is now a joy to our family, not a problem. CB

2003-12-21

DogTech Geelong: I first read about ?DogTech? and its founder John Richardson whilst reading an issue of the Geelong Advertiser. This got my mind ticking about our two adolescent dogs. My partner and I were having trouble with both our dogs since moving into a new house. We could not keep them from jumping the fence plus numerous other behavioural problems. I rang DogTech and Deb Fratantaro came to our rescue. After two sessions involving knowledgeable advice from Deb, and by following a specific program designed to curb dominant behaviour, we now have two nicely behaved dogs. John Richardson?s book, ?The Dog Whisperer,? is also a great tool for any dog owner, teaching straightforward ?gentle? training methods. After having dogs all my life, the book taught me more about the psychology of dogs and it has inspired me to educate others of the importance of basic obedience training. I would recommend DogTech training to anyone who would like their dog to share a special part of the family or anyone who knows on of our canine companions. SM

2003-12-21

(DogTech Geelong) -You might remember me as the naughty little dog who jumped all over you when you first arrived at my owners? house. You might even remember me as the naughty little dog that did a whoopsie behind the couch in your presence. What you WON?T remember me as is the dog I am today and I repeat DOG! I have now learnt that I am not a little person in a fur coat and I am not the leader of the pack. I am a dog who knows his place in my owners? home. You were very helpful to my owners in teaching them how to train me and treat me. I know they have been very pleased with my behaviour since our sessions with you. They enjoy taking me for a walk now as it is not a tug or war all the way around the block with them, me and the lead, and they also enjoy having me inside at night now that I sit on my mat and not on their couch! I am going ahead in leaps and bounds. I still like to sit out the front and watch people go by but I don?t bark at them and run up and down the fence like I used to. Even my owners? friends have noticed the change in me, and actually like to pat me now because I sit quietly and wait for them to pat me. Sometimes I do get a bit excited and try something I shouldn?t but a quick AH AH from my owners soon puts me back in my place! Thank you Deb for helping to make me a good dog again. Life certainly is much more enjoyable at my owners? house now that I know my place in the pack. I definitely give you my canine stamp of approval. Three woofs for Deb?. Woof woof hooray, woof woof hooray, woof woof hooray! Your friend Bosco XX

2003-11-10

We are sending our thanks in regards to the training of Finn our 18 month old black lab. I am more than pleased to refer your services if requested and have written a brief history on Finn and our circumstances that required your help for you to pass on to others. Finn was adopted from a family who unfortunately could not look after him due to the size of their backyard. We took Finn into our home after seeing him initially and going away and thinking about it. Finn it was decided was the dog for us and we knew that we could provide him with a great home and good life. On seeing Finn we established quickly that he had not had much training (infact none at all) and that he was a very excited dog. On taking Finn for a trial walk at our first meeting it was also quite obvious that he needed some training in this area. He was taking me for a walk rather than the other way around. It wasn't till I had got in touch with Hans at Dogtech Vic that we realised that Finn had a huge dominance problem which was noticed straight away from Hans, it was something that needed attention as soon as possible. After a discussion on the phone with Hans about the problems we were encountering with Finn a booking was made for Hans to come around and start the training with Finn and ourselves. A list of the problems that we were having with Finn are as follows; - Wouldn't sit when asked - Wouldn't respond when called - Jumped up against back glass sliding door - Jump up on myself and my Fianc? when we would go outside - Displayed high rate of dominance especially towards my Fianc?. - Would pull something shocking whilst walking. Within in two lessons and allot of work in between with Finn Hans has turned Finn around from a dog he once was. Every now and again Finn still misbehaves but as he is still only a pup at heart it is to be expected, but compared to how he was his improvement is now %400. Not only the training that Hans provided Finn and just as importantly ourselves has helped to cure Finn of his once unmanageable bad habits. Finn now sits when we go to the door and open it waiting till we step outside with him no longer jumping up. Finn come when called 95% of the time. Sits when requested and even now goes to his bed when told!!!!! He will sit and wait when food is placed in front of him to eat when told. With simple training techniques that are motivational reward based, Hans was able to instruct us and demonstrate to us things that we could do with Finn to remove his worst habit and that being Finn's dominance factor. We now have a wonderful lab that I'm sure would be the envy of his previous owners if they new how great a dog he is now. Once again Hans thankyou for your help and support and your enthusiasm and true professionalism that you displayed to ourselves and Finn. We are all grateful and so is our kitten ChaCha that now go and lies with Finn outside. Regards, D& J H

2003-09-12

From day one when 'Sherlock' (my newly acquired boy dog) was brought home,he bullied, harassed and even body-slammed my girl dog 'Anny'. Within weeks I was in tears and absolute despair at how this young, lovable male dog had destroyed the very thread of our lives - mine and Anny's. I tried a traditional dog school but with Sherlock's behavioural problems we fell behind in their schedule and failed. At my local park I met some kind people who suggested 'Dog Tech'. This would be my last resort before giving Sherlock back to the animal shelter. I'm a big dog lover but with my back problems I was not coping with this wild and unruly pup. After two lessons with Dog Tech, Anny and I would now be devastated at the mere suggestion of being without our Sherlock. He's now part of the family, a great companion for Anny whilst I'm at work and I just love my baby boy. When you need to know what a word means you go to a dictionary. If you want to know why dogs like Sherlock are as they are, go to the 'Dog Whisperer'. I've gained basic skills and practical information on how to control my dogs behaviour and this knowledge has changed a disaster into a happy home. Thankyou Dog Tech for the patience, encouragement, love and dedication to the dogs. kind regards MA

2003-09-03

Just a quick note to thank you for all your hard work with Tilly over the last few months. I know she is quite a challenge and I appreciate your calm and patient approach with her. I have found the training to be very beneficial but wish I could find more time to spend with her but hopefully with the better weather approaching this will improve. I'm persevering with the gentle leader and feel that this is the best option for walking Tilly. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone as I have always found you to be very professional and helpful at all times. Kind regards DS.

2003-09-01

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: My dog had a behaviour problem, which required 6 weeks of intense training. Bowie responded well to aspects of the training however, unfortunately, a portion of his behaviour was genetic and as a result Bowie has been rehoused. This has no reflection upon the hard work that was put into training Bowie, and I would thoroughly recommend the ?Dog Whisperer?s? techniques. Yours sincerely JW

2003-08-19

I am writing in reference to the assistance of DogTech Victoria in the training & understanding of my dog Charlie. Charlie was approximately 12 months old when we got him. He came initially from the pound & then went into a shelter where I adopted him. He was a very timid dog not trusting us or our friends, often cowering when people tried to touch him or when there were loud noises. He also showed some signs of fear aggression towards other dogs which although weren?t extremely serious worried me a lot. Initially I called DogTech & we discussed Charlie?s issues, shortly after they came to see us and demonstrated how we need to treat Charlie so that he trusted us to look after him. After two visits and lots of training and confidence building exercises, Charlie has learnt that we are there to look after him, he is now confident when he meets new people, & also seems more at ease in situations he is not familiar with. Friends & people who care for him when we are away are amazed at the changes saying he?s a different dog. Next we tackled the problem of the aggression towards other dogs, going through exercises at the park with many unfamiliar dogs and then continuing with this every time we go out & meet other dogs. We haven?t been working on this problem as long but already we have seen some changes in his reactions to other dogs. Also I have been able to socialize him with other dogs in a controlled environment & we are about to start group obedience classes. I feel that his training has also taught me how to understand Charlie better, therefore being more aware of what he needs & the maintenance we need to do, to keep him happy & eager to please. Sincerely, NJ ? Veterinary Nurse