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 Hank has been fiercely protective of our family and our house for
years. He has been aggressive to humans as well as other dogs. That is
why this past weekend is so unbelievable to us! We had six people over
for dinner and after an initial growl, he fell asleep in the other room
and didn't give a care! Possibly more amazing, he walked with, played
with, and allowed another dog into our yard and house! Hank's progress,
while full of ups and downs, has been so amazing in such a short time!
It gives us tremendous hope for his long term abilities! Christine
helped us be much better dog owners and calmer people! We are so
grateful for the gift she has given us - more time to spend with Hank
and pleasant time at that! Thanks again!
Update: We all feel really
good about everything here. We went from a really bad time, losing the
Basset Hound and Houdini's injury to training Hank, adding onto the
family (a beautiful blood hound named "June Bug"). It has been amazing and I know
you are a hug part of that journey for us! So thank you again. My dad
is convinced that you waved a magic wand over Hank when you took him
for that first walk, the change is so unbelievable. Thanks again Christine!
Debbie and family.
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 Two years ago we adopted two young pit bulls from the local animal shelter, Mick (male) and Birdie (female). They had instant chemistry when we introduced them and before taking them home, but many challenges laid ahead. We thought we knew what we were getting into, having had another wonderful pit bull. Over the first 9 months, we saw several trainers, schooled ourselves on becoming pack leaders, and exercised them a lot. But our skills were lacking somehow, and these two crazy dogs were getting the best of us for sure. Then came the fights. The first, we thought was a fluke. The second happened a few months later and it was devastating (ER, stitches, surgical drains, the whole nine yards). We worried that no one would be able to help us. Then we found Christine. She helped us take our previous training, knowledge of dog dynamics, and practices and make them WORK for our dogs. She helped us fine tune and amp up the things we were doing correctly; and she quickly identified the things that we were doing wrong. She taught us to see the signs early before things got out of hand. She taught us what to allow and what to correct. She taught us how to make the most out of their energy and to actually use their excitability to help train them. Finally, should they ever fight again (which we doubt — we’ve had 8 months of no fighting), she taught us how to break it up safely. We still have a lot of work to do (in correcting both our and their behavior), but the progress we have made under Christine’s guidance is very encouraging and reinforces that we are on the right track. I know Mick and Birdie would thank her too. She really has helped us to restore the peace in our lives.
- Amy and Jamie Montgomery |
 Jazz continues to make progress! He loves going for walks, and we've actually gotten a few compliments from people on how well behaved he is in public! He even plays more nicely with my parents instead of being a bully or biting them. He's been calm around Jingles, too. He's coming along!
Who would have known it could be this stress-free living with Jazz! After months of chasing him all over the neighborhood, finding all sorts of our belongings in chewed-up ruins, everything left on the floor being wet with urine, and most of all, poor old Jingles being beaten up by his rough-housing, no one thought Jazz would ever be a "good" dog! He believed he ruled everything and was kicked out of obedience training. My family and I were skeptical anyone could help our situation... We changed our minds after the first time meeting you! Jazz seemed to be an entirely different dog after I learned how to work with him - he and I are more calm and less frustrated with each other. Thanks for showing me how to communicate with my pup! He seems so much happier, as we all are, to finally have peace in our house! What you do is an amazing gift!
Thanks again,
Amanda and Jazz...and the rest of our family! |
 Hi Christine,
We just wanted to check in and let you know that our family is doing wonderfully together. Emma and Sophie are much calmer around the baby, but still invade her space when they try to cover her with kisses. We’re working on it, but at least we’re convinced that they’re kisses and not anything more! Sophie’s energy can still get a little high (whining, moaning) if we’re playing with Abigail but she usually corrects herself before we have to. We just wanted to send you the picture and an update… we are so thankful that we had your help last spring. It is such a huge weight off of our shoulders to know that I can trust the dogs, and we all love our family walks together. We are quite a spectacle, 300 pounds of Mastiff with a little 19 pound baby leading the way!
Thanks again so much for everything… the doggies send big slobbery kisses!
Alyssa & Bill |
 My wife, Sharon was at wit's end. Alfie wasn't responding to her guidance and saw fit to nip and bite at her when he felt like it. He was exerting his dominance over her, and Sharon understandably was not bonding with him. Shortly after Sharon started taking your advice, stood up to him, stayed cool, calm and assertive and consistent, Alfie realized that Sharon deserved his respect. Their relationship finally started to improve too, and for that matter, between all three of us.
The structure and leadership that Christine taught Sharon to provide for Alfie, I.a.. daily walks, constructive playing and consistent corrections made all the difference. Like I said, he isn't perfect, but now the three of us can all peacefully co-exist. The altercations and confrontations have all but come to an end, as has his biting and nipping. His occasional jumping is almost completely under control and he is no longer chewing on furniture or stealing things that aren't his, etc.
Side story: last week Comcast Cable was over just about all day long to do an installation. We've pretty much kept friends and family out of our home for the past few months, so this was a pretty big test for Alfie. He was just great! Occasionally, he would inspect what the installer was up to, give him a kiss or two, wiggle his butt, then go back to lounging around. Alfie just knew to stay out of his way. The installer repeatedly came in and out of our home and not once did Alfie ever jump, bark, submissive piddle, or get in his way... nothing. Sharon was floored!
Bottom line: Christine's timely intervention and practical advice has clearly worked. Without her expert help, my spouse would have insisted that our Newfoundland pup go right back to the breeder. I would have lost a true buddy and my best canine friend. More frightening, our marriage and life-partnership would have suffered greatly.
Christine Nolan saved our beloved Alfie and maybe even our marriage!
Thank you so very much, Christine!"
Bryan Myers |
 Dear Christine,
I want to start off and let you know that you have helped us really start our happy family. Grace is a completely different dog then when we first brought her home, and more importantly you have helped us learn how fulfill and enrich her life. Sara and I were talking about when we first brought Grace home, we would spend at least three hours a night dealing with her behavior problems and trying to calm her down. Those first couple months were a very frustrating time in our lives. Gracie was running our lives and we were letting it happen because we did not know how best to deal with her.
After our sessions with you, Grace is now what we would call "almost perfect." Having not even owned Grace for a full year yet, I only see life with her being richer and sweeter. You really gave us the tools to learn about her; not just how to correct her behaviors, but why she does them. In my opinion that has has been the most important part.
Riding the bike with her has become a daily part of our lives, and it has really worked out very well for everyone. This past summer we even taught Grace how to swim, and we really did have to teach her. Swimming definitely become one of her favorite activities! I have been doing some off-leash work Grace and she is making great progress with it. The squirrels are always an obstacle, but she is learning to use her nose.
Just wanted to thank you for all the help you have given our pack!
Sara, Chris, and Grace
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 We’ve always loved Finnian and Brodie, but we loved them despite their chronic barking, counter surfing, leash tugging, and car chasing ways. In one meeting you were able to point out the problem (which was our lack of consistent firm control with the boys), teach us how to regain control, and keep the energy level calm and balanced. With Shelties this is no small feat, but you did it, and you saw the results three weeks later, as we showed you we could do it too!
Many neighbors and friends are amazed at how much better behaved the boys are, and we give you the credit. We are working at being a happy balanced family.
Update: Finnian and Brodie are like different dogs! Brodie really enjoys not having to be in charge and he has loosened up considerably. He's even been known to spontaneously roll over onto his back on the floor, while I'm reading on the sofa. He would never willingly expose his belly to me in the past.
Our triumph is feeding time. What was chaos is now totally peaceful.
Finn doesn't chase cars! Amazing!
Thank you again!
Ginny and Peter
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 We contacted Christine in a desperate state because we were so tired of our dog’s bad behaviors: barking all day long in the house (and completely ignoring us when we told him to stop), barking aggressively at other dogs and children, and being stubbornly defiant in most ways imaginable. In one meeting with Christine, she gave us a one on one lesson on how to be calm and assertive and she helped us to improving our body language and other patterns so that he would follow our lead. With Christine’s direction, that very day we got him to stop barking, become appropriately submissive and learn to follow our commands, something we hadn’t accomplished in the 3 years we’ve had him. It was like a miracle! It took some effort over the next few weeks to implement all of the changes, but they really worked and we could not believe the transformation. It is not magic – it is a new way of working with our dog. It takes practice to be become more effective dog owners, but what we thought was impossible was in fact relatively easy to change. We have a new, good dog and a new life. Thank you Christine, only wish we found you sooner!
Andrea |
 It was great meeting you yesterday! Thank you for the tips and I will send you an update next week to let you know and Apache is doing…I see a HUGE difference in just one day already!!!!!
Apache update:
Christine,
I cannot express enough thanks to you for all of your assistance with Apache. As you recall, when you first Apache, he ruled our World! Although he was a loving dog, he barked when he wanted our attention, “stole” items from tables and would jump up on people when they entered my office. I was seriously beginning to have fears that he would not make it as our Therapy Dog and I knew it would break the hearts of all of our residents who had grown so attached to him.
Thankfully, you helped to change all of that. We learned immediately from your visit that we needed to establish control of the pack and that he needed us to take charge. Through your techniques and guidance, we have a 100% improvement in Apache. He sits patiently and waits for someone to come to him and greet him. When people call or visit our office, they can actually hear us speak and they do not have to yell over Apache’s barking. We have not had one episode of “stealing” and when he appears to be looking for mischief, we just have to snap our fingers and he corrects himself without any other intervention.
We took your advice and incorporated learning games into our daily routine and he truly loves the mental challenges and agility courses. His energy is being burned and the result is a Labrador that is content and loving. He looks to us for leadership and guidance and we have a dog that is relaxed and enjoying his job.
Thanks you so much for everything! We are forever indebted to you for helping us.
Lisa Williams |
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