Ann, we can’t thank you enough!
Our dream was to be able to take our dogs (Brandi and Jazmyn) to the beach and let them be off-leash while still maintaining complete control. We were a little apprehensive about using an electronic collar. But you put our minds at ease instantly by demonstrating on us just how safe and gentle the stimulation can be.
When we approached you, we were naïve about how involved the training would be and how long it would take to achieve our dream; but the 18 days of separation from our beloved dogs was WELL worth it!
Within 3 weeks of Brandi and Jazmyn returning home, we left for a week at the beach. We took countless walks with our dogs along the beach with plenty of distractions such as other people, other dogs, rabbits, horses, even cars and never once did we feel out of control.
Between the hand signals you taught them (and us!) and the electronic collar, not even the noise of the waves crashing caused communication breakdowns between us – even when Jazmyn ran ahead to chase the seagulls.
The dogs were so happy chasing each other, chasing the birds, running through the water, digging in the sand…we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. And even today, back at home, we and the dogs enjoy long walks off-leash through the neighborhood. When we reach an open field, they anxiously wait for permission to act like and be dogs that run and play. And we have no hesitation about letting them because we know we have control and can get them back quickly, safely, and easily.
And as the weeks have progressed, we have both noticed that we are using the buttons on the remote less and less. We’ve gotten to the point that sometimes just calling their name is enough to break their focus on the rabbit in the bushes or to step off the sidewalk onto the grass, sit, and stay while neighborhood children ride by on their bikes.
The dogs have come to appreciate their freedom and have a better understanding of the “ranks within our pack”. And that, has made us happy too!