Years After Training, Clients Give An Update On Results
The single most important metric for training is that the owner experiences the same improved behavior that the trainer achieved. In this video, four owners share their results 2 years, 1 year, 8 months, and 7 months after having gone through training.
A Few Dogs Who Have Gone Through My Program
Vader
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Vader arrived as a 2 year old, 100 lbs German Shepherd. Human and dog aggressive, with a bite record with humans, extremely reactive on leash and in the car. Goals: Stop his aggressive behavior!! Make him not reactive to people and dogs in public and in their home. "Also, can you make him like cats? Right now, he hates them, he barks and goes nuts when he sees them." Outcome: Vader learned to be calm and relaxed at home and in public. He learned about rules and boundaries; his owners reinforced those same rules and boundaries when he returned home. That process established them in a leadership role which allowed him to feel comfortable in situations that used to trigger his insecurities.
Vader at a busy outdoor mall with lots of people, music, and an adorable Dachshund barking directly at him! |
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Also, Vader learned to like cats... or at least easily tolerate them! |
Archer
Erica & Chris and their dog, Archer, 9 mo golden retriever... a very sweet dog
who had had lots of pure positive training but they still struggled with over excitement
Goals: have family over without him going insane; don't jump on every person he sees; go on walks
without him deciding its over by lying down (high energy? always on his terms!); don't bite at the leash;
be able to go to the beach & trust his recall.
Outcome: well clearly the beach is back on his agenda! Archer is a classic sweet, well-natured dog who
just needs to understand both what you want (pure positive is great for that) and what you
don't want (this is where a balanced training approach filled the gap for him).
who had had lots of pure positive training but they still struggled with over excitement
Goals: have family over without him going insane; don't jump on every person he sees; go on walks
without him deciding its over by lying down (high energy? always on his terms!); don't bite at the leash;
be able to go to the beach & trust his recall.
Outcome: well clearly the beach is back on his agenda! Archer is a classic sweet, well-natured dog who
just needs to understand both what you want (pure positive is great for that) and what you
don't want (this is where a balanced training approach filled the gap for him).
In Erica & Chris's Own Words: "We have an exuberant golden retriever who became unmanageable in our house and outside after only 8 months. Jumping, counter surfing, nibbling on guests, biting on the leash and pulling on walks, jumping all over strange dogs and people on the sidewalk, etc.
We came to Virginia after working with many other trainers who either made excuses for our dog's behavior ("he's just a puppy!") or left without giving us much hope for change, saying he'd "grow out of it." After an initial call with Virginia, we felt she understood our dog completely and what it would take to change the less than desirable behaviors we'd reinforced in his short 8 months of life. After working with Virginia, we have a new level of confidence in our dog and ourselves to manage any situation we encounter. Our dog no longer paws at the crate at 6am every morning just because he's up and everyone else should be too, stays in place when guests come over, comes when called and is generally just more fun to be around. Virginia knows what she's doing, and readily answers any questions with practical advice anytime you need it.
We were skeptical at first (the "he's just a puppy!" excuses were real), but we know now that this was the best thing we could have done for our pup, and ourselves. We are looking forward to a long, happy life together with structure that keeps us all calm and balanced. We are no longer scared to leave our house, worried that his behavior would be unpredictable and unmanageable, and we can now enjoy all the fun adventures we had wanted a dog to join in on. We will happily share our experience with any other folks that want to chat in more depth." – C & E
We came to Virginia after working with many other trainers who either made excuses for our dog's behavior ("he's just a puppy!") or left without giving us much hope for change, saying he'd "grow out of it." After an initial call with Virginia, we felt she understood our dog completely and what it would take to change the less than desirable behaviors we'd reinforced in his short 8 months of life. After working with Virginia, we have a new level of confidence in our dog and ourselves to manage any situation we encounter. Our dog no longer paws at the crate at 6am every morning just because he's up and everyone else should be too, stays in place when guests come over, comes when called and is generally just more fun to be around. Virginia knows what she's doing, and readily answers any questions with practical advice anytime you need it.
We were skeptical at first (the "he's just a puppy!" excuses were real), but we know now that this was the best thing we could have done for our pup, and ourselves. We are looking forward to a long, happy life together with structure that keeps us all calm and balanced. We are no longer scared to leave our house, worried that his behavior would be unpredictable and unmanageable, and we can now enjoy all the fun adventures we had wanted a dog to join in on. We will happily share our experience with any other folks that want to chat in more depth." – C & E
Rocco
Deanna & family and Rocco, 18mo shepherd, human and dog aggressive
Goals: don't kill the other pets in the house; don't bite humans in the house
Outcome: cats and kittens are all accounted for and no more human aggression
Goals: don't kill the other pets in the house; don't bite humans in the house
Outcome: cats and kittens are all accounted for and no more human aggression
In Deanna's Own Words: "Virginia worked with our 18 month old German Shepherd with resource guarding and aggressive behavior after he fatally snapped at another animal that got into his food. He had to be rehabilitated or rehomed! He stayed with her for four weeks. Virginia was patient, informative and extremely helpful! We are so happy, and so is he. He can be trusted to have more freedom and be obedient, even in highly stimulating situations. We highly recommend Oliver’s Travels Dog Training."
Fawkes
Alexa and her dog, Fawkes, a highly dog-reactive Husky.
Goals: being able to walk past other dogs and tolerate strangers approaching instead of backing away.
Fawkes had been her service dog but had to retire due to her reactivity.
Outcome: Fawkes got her job back! She is once again able to serve as Alexa's service dog as she's
able to pass dogs and handles human strangers without issue.
Goals: being able to walk past other dogs and tolerate strangers approaching instead of backing away.
Fawkes had been her service dog but had to retire due to her reactivity.
Outcome: Fawkes got her job back! She is once again able to serve as Alexa's service dog as she's
able to pass dogs and handles human strangers without issue.
In Alexa's Own Words: "Everyone hears those stories about dogs that are attacked by off-leash dogs, but who honestly ever thinks it would happen to them?
Unfortunately, my dog and I were victims to one of those attacks. An off-leash dog attacked us and almost mauled my dog to death.
During her recovery, I felt so guilty that I would reward bad behavior and only smother her with love. My dog became incredibly leash reactive, so much so, I became afraid to walk her. I sought out a veterinary behaviorist, various trainers, and she was even put on medication. NOTHING.WORKED.
I wish we would have found Virginia sooner. Not only is she amazing at her job, she’s kind and genuinely cares about her clients. She’s an absolute joy to work with. Virginia rehabbed my dog, and in doing so, she rehabbed the relationship my dog and I had lost. I’m so happy we went to Virginia for help and if I could recommend more than 5 stars, I would. I feel like I have my dog back, and I can’t thank her enough."
Unfortunately, my dog and I were victims to one of those attacks. An off-leash dog attacked us and almost mauled my dog to death.
During her recovery, I felt so guilty that I would reward bad behavior and only smother her with love. My dog became incredibly leash reactive, so much so, I became afraid to walk her. I sought out a veterinary behaviorist, various trainers, and she was even put on medication. NOTHING.WORKED.
I wish we would have found Virginia sooner. Not only is she amazing at her job, she’s kind and genuinely cares about her clients. She’s an absolute joy to work with. Virginia rehabbed my dog, and in doing so, she rehabbed the relationship my dog and I had lost. I’m so happy we went to Virginia for help and if I could recommend more than 5 stars, I would. I feel like I have my dog back, and I can’t thank her enough."
Lulu and Jazzy
Winette and Adam and their dogs, Lulu and Jazzy, terrier and pit mix.
Goals: to be able to move in together! Their dogs fought and they couldn't live together until the dogs
could get along.
Outcome: The happy couple shares the same address!
Special Note: Dogs who fight with their "siblings" is one of the most challenging rehabilitation cases.
Anytime you have success it is because the owners dug deep and did all the work they were challenged with. Winette and Adam have all my respect for making this work.
Goals: to be able to move in together! Their dogs fought and they couldn't live together until the dogs
could get along.
Outcome: The happy couple shares the same address!
Special Note: Dogs who fight with their "siblings" is one of the most challenging rehabilitation cases.
Anytime you have success it is because the owners dug deep and did all the work they were challenged with. Winette and Adam have all my respect for making this work.
In Winette's Own Words: "If your situation seems hopeless, go with Virginia Dickson! The best gift we have ever given ourselves (and our dogs) has 100% been training with Virginia. It LITERALLY changed our lives. We each had a rescue female dog (approx 6-7 yrs old) and when we made the decision to move in together, we quickly realized this could not happen without risking the safety of our dogs and ourselves (we hadn’t integrated them yet as our first attempts – even following all of the rules of engagement we could find - did not go well). Lulu (terroir mix) & Jazzy (pit) could not be in the same house, let alone the same room without trying to aggressively pursue each other (and NOT for play!). This actually landed Adam in the urgent care center one day. Jazzy was dog aggressive, Lulu was territorial and controlling, and they were both out of our control. We found Virginia and after a 4 week training, both dogs came out with an entirely new skill set for us to work with. We too learned so much about dog language, leadership and our role in their relationship. We left Virginia’s day 1 with a foundation, and with her guidance over the course of months, we have established a more successful outcome than we could have ever dreamed of. They not only tolerate each other.. they sleep together, hang out together in the yard, respectfully play near each other, we are officially a pack! The gratitude that we have for Virginia and this process goes beyond words."
Tucker
Megan and Tucker, 9-month 80lbs Labradoodle.
Goals: stop the leash pulling, stop the jumping, stop the destruction
Outcome: Tucker became a polite dog who listened but was still his sweet, happy self!
Goals: stop the leash pulling, stop the jumping, stop the destruction
Outcome: Tucker became a polite dog who listened but was still his sweet, happy self!
In Megan's Own Words: "I can't say enough good things about Virginia. I brought my 9 month old labradoodle Tucker in for some serious obedience training and general manners. Tucker would jump on people, destroy everything in his path, wouldn't listen, pulled on the leash and was just becoming impossible to take anywhere. At one point he pulled me across a parking lot almost getting me hit by a car. Virginia changed all that. He is still the fun happy puppy I dropped off with the same sweet personality, but now well mannered, respectful and listens! He never pulls on leash, comes when called, waits for me to go through a doorway first, follows commands and is such a pleasure to have around. Virginia made me feel comfortable about all of her methods and was always there for the million questions I had along the way. She changed the future of our relationship because now I'm the leader in the house, not Tucker. ;) Thank you Virginia!!"
Koda
Sarah and Mike and Koda, 7yo Husky
Goals: reclaim their home, stop the biting, resource guarding their furniture
Outcome: Koda lives with them but doesn't run the house! He also enjoys amazing off-leash trips to the beach and mountains.
Goals: reclaim their home, stop the biting, resource guarding their furniture
Outcome: Koda lives with them but doesn't run the house! He also enjoys amazing off-leash trips to the beach and mountains.
In Sarah's Own Words: "I called Virginia five days after rescuing a seven year old husky mix. He was the second dog in our family and we had trained a northern breed before so we thought we were ready. It took about twelve hours for him to completely take over our house. He was biting. He was snarling. He was claiming furniture. I work from home during the day and there were times where I had to shut him in another room so I could work without worrying about getting snapped at by Koda. One such day Virginia and I talked. We were desperate. I kept her on the phone for an hour as she listened and talked and made me feel less crazy. We put a deposit for training down on the spot. She gave us short-term solutions for the interim and a week later we dropped Koda off. It's now been two months since we rescued him and we now take him for off leash play time in an open park with our other dog on a daily bases. He is the most well-behaved gentleman, not just outside but inside as well. It was hard work but Virginia was there every step of the way. We are so thankful for what she did with Koda!"
Cody
Sarah, Scott & Kids, and Cody, 18mo Labradoodle
Goals: Cody bit a family member and they wanted him to be safe and reliable in their busy household
Outcome: A calm and relaxed member of their very busy, social family. Loving and trustworthy.
Goals: Cody bit a family member and they wanted him to be safe and reliable in their busy household
Outcome: A calm and relaxed member of their very busy, social family. Loving and trustworthy.
In Sarah's Own Words: "Loved our experience with Virginia! She was patient, kind and so understanding of all our training needs. We started with a high energy, crazy dog. He would pull on walks, jump to greet people, claim items, and even nipped at people when angry. After training he is calm, confident, and so lovely to be around! The training was worth every dollar. We highly recommend!! So excited to start this new relationship with our family dog."
Oreo
Ben, April, and Oreo, 5yo Chihuahua, territorial and aggressive.
Goals: Stop the barking at every guest, non-stop, with aggressive lunging.
Outcome: Quiet! Accepting! Calm!
Goals: Stop the barking at every guest, non-stop, with aggressive lunging.
Outcome: Quiet! Accepting! Calm!
In Ben's Own Words: "Virginia is a miracle worker! Oreo, our five year old Chihuahua, was extremely territorial, aggressive, and barked incessantly at others and we were not going to be able to keep him unless this changed. I'm thankful to say that it did change. Virginia not only trained Oreo, but she trained us as well by giving us the skills necessary to maintain his training. He is now well adjusted and friendly to everyone. He understands limits and what is expected of him. We are happy that he will remain a part of our family and it’s great to see our friends and family enjoy him as much as we do! We highly recommend Virginia. She is an amazing person and we will never be able to thank her for all she did for us!"
Koogel
Gillian, Josh, and Koogel, 3yo terrier mix, very reactive to dogs.
Goals: Be able to walk down the street without Koogel reacting to dogs and proactively making sure he was safe around their 1 year old daughter.
Outcome: The family is happy with Koogel as a calm, relaxed member who gets to spend more time with the family at home and out and about!
Goals: Be able to walk down the street without Koogel reacting to dogs and proactively making sure he was safe around their 1 year old daughter.
Outcome: The family is happy with Koogel as a calm, relaxed member who gets to spend more time with the family at home and out and about!
In Josh's Own Words: "We took our 3 year old terrier mix, Koogel, to Virginia after our first child was born. Koogel was a loveable dog, but she was reactive to other dogs and generally was not respectful of our space. We couldn't have Koogel jumping on and around our daughter, so we took Koogel to bootcamp. She came back a different dog. She developed self control, she's respectful of space, and she's eager to complete commands. Thank you!!!"