NO, please don’t leave me!! Zoey, a beautiful and friendly Boxer/Ridgeback mix, had a case of separation anxiety in the extreme.  She had demolished the trim around the front door by frantically clawing at it while her owners were gone.  And every morning, when they started to get ready for work, Zoey went into panic mode.  Turning on the blow dryer, putting shoes on, or picking up keys started Zoey shaking like a leaf and panting anxiously.  But… within days of Jennifer becoming the “fearless leader,” Zoey started to relax, realizing that Jennifer would make sure she was always safe.  After a few weeks, Jennifer sent this update:

Hey Susie!    I just wanted to send you an update about Zoey… I am amazed every day at the progress she is making and the difference it’s making in our lives. I love the walk, rest, feed routine and she really seems to be catching on.  I’m noticing little things in the morning that aren’t making Zoey pant and shake anymore. She almost ignores us now when we are getting ready and just does her own thing. She loves to lie in her dog bed and usually falls asleep.  When I see her so relaxed, I can relax during the day. I can’t thank you enough for all your help!

Jennifer Turner and Zoey
Clarksburg, MD

 

Treadmark is proof that even tough street dogs can change. He was rescued from a miserable situation in Arkansas where his abuser broke the dog’s jaw and canine teeth, and split his tongue. When he arrived at the rescue he fought aggressively with the other dogs and had to be kept separate. In spite of his behavior Treadmark was soon adopted. After learning the dog whispering techniques and becoming Treadmark’s leader, his new adopters wrote,

“Dear Susie, We cannot believe that Treadmark is the same dog we rescued…or that we are the same people! He was the most dog-aggressive dog we had ever seen. Now that we know how to be the leaders of the pack, Treadmark fits right in with our two other dogs—they eat, play and sleep together and are all good buddies. We have four young children, one of whom is 2 years old and feeds Tread, sleeps on top of him and walks him easily on a leash. We take Treadmark everywhere with us now and he is a perfect gentleman around people and other dogs. We are recommending you to everyone we know with a problem dog!!”

Thank you so much!
Ty Hallsted & Jean Hatch
Westminster, MD

Dave and Steffi adopted Brooks, a chow/pitbull mix with a checkered past. He got along with the other dogs fine for a few weeks, but once he started to feel comfortable in his new home, he decided he was going to be in charge and started fighting with Digger, the resident Aussie mix. Dave and Steffi learned to be the “leaders of the pack,” and eliminated their dogs’ aggression and fighting.

“Thank you so much for helping us with our two dogs! Before you came they were fighting at least once a week, with the intent to seriously harm one another; we had to keep them separate to avoid confrontation. We had tried to correct them but obviously we were doing something wrong–and it was becoming a very stressful situation in our house! You taught us how to become the “leaders of our pack” and communicate with our dogs in a very simple, non-violent and effective way and we have erased a serious aggression issue. Now these two guys understand what WE want between them. You helped us regain control and our confidence has grown. The aggression is gone and they are happily living and playing with each other.”

Thanks again for everything!
Steffi & David Hone, Poolesville, MD

Daisy was a terror in the neighborhood and it was a real challenge for Alyce Louise to walk her and the two other dogs around the neighborhood. Daisy thought the neighborhood belonged to HER and let every dog in her path know it! Once Alyce Louise took control, Daisy was relieved to give up the responsibility of protecting herself and everything around her.

“Dear Susie, learning the dog whispering techniques has been a truly transformative experience for me and my dogs, Daisy, Jesse and Skyler. I find walking them to be a much more engaging experience and lots more fun. I am much more in the moment when I walk them now. Used to be I’d walk in fear that we’d run into another dog and that Daisy would go into her aggressive mode, but no longer! Daisy has even developed some friends recently from our walks…who would have thought that would be possible!

The added advantage is I am now in charge again in my own house and I’ve been able to apply what you’ve taught me to new situations, like the addition of our cat.

My friends marvel at the change in the dogs and comment on how well-behaved the dogs are and how happy they seem. We’re a very happy family. Thank you.”

Alyce Louise

 

Henry and Stella are so big you’d think they had nothing to fear. Henry is a Great Dane mix, and Stella a Rottweiler/Mastiff. Stella was very nervous around children and Henry was quite fearful in general and barked and lunged at any dog walking by. It was getting too scary for his owner, Nicole, to run or walk with him because he would go ballistic at other dogs. In becoming the dogs’ leader, Nicole learned to relax and walk confidently, and the dogs relaxed too.

“Dear Susie, Stella and Henry are doing well. Within the last 3 weeks or so we’ve had a huge opportunity to practice Henry’s training, as there have been tons of people and dogs out! Stella actually made friends with a little girl in our complex (she used to be afraid of kids and avoid them), and Henry can walk by other dogs just fine if they walk past him. He still gets excited if they try to jump at him or come towards him, but considering there was a point where we could barely walk past other dogs, it’s a huge improvement.”

Thanks!
Nicole Maddox-Jones Stella and Henry

 

Pepper was an anxious Border Collie puppy, growing up without the benefit of human leadership. By the age of 7 months she was jumping relentlessly on her owners and growling and lunging at other dogs on the street. Concerned about her dog’s future, Pepper’s owner decided to get help and learn how to be the leader before Pepper got in serious trouble.

“Hi Susie, Pepper is doing well. She has learned many of our basic lessons, though not jumping up is still the hardest, because we are not consistent with how we handle it. Even this, she is better and continues to improve. On my part, I can actually feel her starting to trust me more when she is frightened, both that I will protect her and that she needs to follow my lead. Thanks for your support. I love the last technique we learned and it’s really helping Pepper.”

Be Well,
Mary Kay P
Silver Spring MD

HI Susie,

Thanks for checking in! Yes we have seen a huge improvement with Bosco. I am so happy to say that. He is not perfect , but 80% of his nutty behavior now is because he is a puppy; 20% is more training needed from us.. this will come with time. Bosco is not aggressive like he was, and I feel we are in charge of the house again. Thank God.

Matt and I have been focusing on the two leash walks a day as the major priority. Owning the food… and getting control of our emotions in order to be calm and assertive with him. Bosco got MUCH worse for a few days and then drastic changes began to happen , slowly but surely. Routine is important to him. He’s a special breed, we realize more and more. This all took about two weeks to turn him around… but that’s ok.

Thank you SO much for your help.

Erin B and Bosco the Border Collie

Susie,

We accomplished more in the few hours you were here than we had in 6 months with the trainer.

Ann N.
Annapolis, MD

Dear Susie,
I used to walk my client’s three dogs (two Shepherd sized and a Lhasa Apso) around the neighborhood, while my friend was at work. When they spotted another dog, person, squirrel… you name it, I, weighing in at 110lbs, could barely hang onto them as they strained at their leashes, barking, growling and charging. So when I saw a potential disaster about to happen, I would have to turn around and go back the way I’d come before getting too close. It was difficult at best, trying to walk them. They were walking me.

Then YOU appeared on the scene. In one session, these dogs became companions, walking contentedly at my side. Now when I walk the three of them, if a squirrel darts ahead of us, we just walk calmly by. When we walk past a yard with an enthusiastic dog on the other side of a fence darting back and forth, we all nonchalantly walk past, paying no attention to the frantic dog other than perhaps a sideways glance. When we meet other dogs on our path, we can actually pass them within a couple of feet without incident. If I accidentally drop a leash, they don’t even know it.

They are calmer, without agitation, and seem to enjoy their walks more. I certainly do. It’s pretty amazing. I can’t recommend you highly enough for people who have dogs with “issues.”

Thank you!

Ani Dorje, Professional Dog Walker

Even a fearful 5.2 lb Yorkie can think he’s the leader of the pack. Tiggi had a big job protecting himself, his owners and his entire neighborhood. He had bitten several friends and family members before Shila learned to assert her leadership using some simple dog whispering techniques.

“Hi Susie, I was at my mom’s tonight. She has a small place and in the past when we were all packed in there it would really unnerve Tiggi, but not tonight. He was awesome and everyone noticed. He was having fun and even playing with my nieces. No barking, no nipping, no growling or charging…nothing. Yay! I am so excited. Thank you, thank you. ”

Shila M.

Rockville, MD