What our students are saying about Dogwood!
Luke the Lab
3/23/2011
I wanted to send a quick update about Luke, my yellow Labrador. (We have class there on Thursdays at 7pm). He is the one with those quirky social issues and growls at strangers. Well, this class is simply amazing and what I learned this first week has far outdone what I tried learning from youtube or random websites about training for the past two years. Luke is now amazing walking on the leash for the first time ever! The training collar has worked wonders, and now my boyfriend, Jonathan, and I can walk our two huge labs through the neighborhood without any problems of being dragged everywhere! They both stick right by our sides. It almost brought tears to my eyes when they walked next to us like it was no big deal. 
I thoroughly read the book that Tracie had given me about “The Cautious Canine” and put one of the practices to good use last night! We were walking around twilight, and all of a sudden a small dog runs up to Luke, while the owner, a tall loud man, began yelling very angrily to his dog. I could feel Luke become very nervous and he immediately began growling as the dog came running in his direction. Well, I remembered what that book had said, so I put him in a sit position, started rubbing his chest, gave him little treats, and started telling him how good he was in a happy and calm sing-song manner. All of this together made him just sit there and watch the dog and the man come up to us instead of barking and growling and trying to get free!!! Incredible. Jonathan and I were smiling ear to ear, and we walked the rest of the way home with our dogs more proud than we’d ever been.
I am SO glad I enrolled Luke in this class to get him better before his nervousness turns into something physical. I appreciate your patience with us and your advice. It is like gold.
See y’all tomorrow!
Lisa Morgan
4/24/2010
Dogwood Ladies,
I just wanted to thank you all for insisting over and over we practice the “come” command. I always walk Rosie with her purple collar on (because it has her tags) and also a training collar. Well this morning I was in a hurry and obviously did not secure her training collar all the way. Sure enough, at an intersection she lunged, trying to get to a kid on a scooter, and her training collar snapped off. She was standing in the middle of the intersection barking her fool head off trying to get enough courage to go up to this kid when I yelled sharply “Rosie come!” She immediately came flying toward me and while didn’t sit like she does in class — she did come close enough I could grab her collar and make her sit. I re-attached her training collar correctly and we resumed our walk (with my heart furiously beating of course). Your insistence on training with that command saved Rosie from possibly: gettting hit by a car, running away and getting lost, or a negative interaction with that child. So thank you!!!!
See you Monday night for graduation!
Marie Kilian and Rosie
Zena, A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen,
August 28, 2008
9-28-08
To Tracie, Sheryl, Babette and Linda-
It is with great pride that I announce Zena has earned her American Kennel Club title of Canine Good Citizen. She was such a good girl and tried so hard to please! This is an important step for her in being an ambassador for her breed and an example of what these fine dogs are supposed to be given a fair chance in life.
Thank you so much for paving the way for Zena’s success in earing her Canine Good Citizen title. I really appreciate Dogwood and the superior trainers! You all are kind, supportive and exceedingly positive to both handler and the dog, making training fun and a great experience.
Zena, not a warrior, but my precious princess who I love with all my heart
Zandra
Photography by Jack Opatrny, Houston
5-1-08
I finally figured it out. I found Spices button. I have always praised her when she does well, but her button is overly excited praise. I make a biggest deal out of the littlest things the last few days and she is doing commands much better. Almost like a light has clicked and said oh she thinks thats cool wait untill I do it the next time. I have to tell you both THANK YOU so much for what you do. I love my dogs with all my heart, but man do you make it even better. I think the classes I have been taking with you guys and Spice has made my life more fun then it has ever been…
Thank you!
Heather Ferry
4-20-08
Dear Friends,
This is a picture of Matthew and his new best friend Pippi. I can’t explain how far we’ve come because of this puppy. One of the things most difficult to do with Autistic children is to have them bond with something outside of their immediate focus. Pippi, has made Matthew pay attention to her. For a 3 month old puppy, she doesn’t bark around him, she senses that he doesn’t like it. Matthew has no speech but can say…pi pi pi…which sounds like Pippi. The puppy comes from an extremely long line of Championship Aussies all very versatile and highly accredited. Pippi’s grandfather is the great “Bandit” whose progeny has titled in every venue of an Aussies life. Her sire. Champion Warner, is not only a Show Champion both AKC and CKC but a Trial Champion Stock dog and works every day with the Manuels on their ranch in Montana. We are blessed that Judie Manuel saw fit to allow us to have Pippi as a gift to our boy Matthew. Pippi will be trained under the guidance of Debbie Quigley at Dogwood Training facility and mentored into the service/companion that will help our Matthew live a more productive life. God Bless every one interested in this project. I can’t tell you how my heart soared when Matthew and Pippi and I took a walk yesterday and Matthew held her lead all the way around the block. God Blesses us in various ways..and Australian Shepherds are bringing life to our family. Thanks
Jim and Cathy MacKrell
12-18-07
Debby,
I’d like to commend you on a very well run facility. We moved here 2 years ago from Bellingham, Washington. I have been searching for a training facility such as yours that entire time. (my internet search skills are not that great or I might have found you earlier) During the Tomball DogFest this year I was told about Dogwood. I contacted your office and was told the class (basic obedience) was full but I could go on a waiting list. Imagine my surprise when your staff phoned me a few days later to tell me that George and I had a spot due to a cancellation. The class was run extremely well. I felt all the instructors were very qualified and answered all my questions. We live in Sealy so our drive is 49 miles one way but your professional classes are well worth the drive by a long shot. I think Jan Nuzzo, Kathy Spenser and Bonnie Crews and Haley are the best. Thank you for having such an outstanding facility. I look forward to continuing George’s training at Dogwood. We signed up for the next class which begins January 31 so we’ll see you then.
I do wish you were closer to Sealy as there are many folks out this way who are always asking about “good” trainers but aren’t willing or can not make the long drive.
Thank you again and see you next year.
Kathleen Laughlin and George