NOVEMBER
“TEDDY”

“Are you as smart as your Sheltie”?  That was the question my husband, George, and I started asking soon after we adopted our 1 ½ year old Sheltie.  It soon became apparent that we had alot to learn.  Teddy came to us with very little obedience training and quite a few “quirky” behaviors like barking at ceiling fans, shadows and aluminum foil. I enrolled him in the Pets Behave Beginner class and it helped tremendously.  George and I learned some basic skills that helped us on walks and in the home.  He went on to an Intermediate class and we found that he loved to learn and learned very quickly.  However, by age 3 we were still having some problem behaviors that were getting worse. He was showing signs of food aggression toward our older dog, Annie, and also to us. We contacted Jennifer and she set up a consultation withDebbie.  Debbie and Jennifer were amazing!  During a two hour period Debbie helped us problem solve.  She also analyzed Teddy’s diet.  Although we had him on a nationally recognized and vet- prescribed food, she told us he was basically getting cardboard.  Our dog was literally hungry.  She recommended that we change his food to one that would provide better nourishment and therefore help to calm him down.  She also recommended a lot more exercise and mental stimulation to provide a release for all his Sheltie energy and intelligence.  It has only been a few weeks since our consultation but all of us have made remarkable progress.  Teddy is responding beautifully to his behavior training.  He is calmer and happier because he is getting the proper nutrition and mental stimulation.  George and I are enjoying him more and reaping the benefits of having a happy, lovable and well-behaved companion.  We’re still not as smart as our Sheltie, but with Debbie and Jennifer’s continued help, we know that life with Teddy is a work in progress filled with challenges that are fun to face.
Barbara and George Schmidt
Fort Walton Beach, FL

AUGUST

“NIKE”

WOW!!!! This is the first thing that comes to my mind when I realize what the training from Pets Behave has done for me and Nike.  I thought that I was doing everything right when training Nike, but boy was I very wrong.  I wanted to put Nike in Obedience and Agility classes so I contacted Pets Behave.  I had a private session with Debbie and this is when I realized that I had been approaching training all wrong.  Debbie explained to me why what I was doing wasn’t working and how to fix it.  I really had my doubts that it would work, Nike was already 3 and very set in her ways/habits, but to my amazement it really did work!!!!  In the short 5 months since I started working with Debbie and the staff at Pets Behave, I have seen a huge change in Nike and myself.  I was lacking confidence in my training with Nike and therefore she had absolutely no self-confidence.    Nike has graduated from Intermediate Obedience, Beginner Agility, received her Canine Good Citizenship Certificate, and we are now in Intermediate Agility classes.  I want to give a HUGE thank you to Debbie, Jennifer, and Marilyn at Pets Behave, Nike and I could not have done any of this without all your support, help, and guidance.  Nike and I are proof that with time, patience, and the correct guidance you and your dog can have great success.
From Margie Lummus and Nike
Niceville, FL

JULY

“Daphne”

To the wonderful staff at Pets Behave,
For many years my labrador (Daphne)   suffered from fear aggression towards other animals. Daphne also took me on walks by extreme pulling. She is the most gentle and loving dog with people. However, her agression towards other animals prevented her from enjoying the life she deserves as I was too scared to even take her on walks. When our elderly basset hound passed away earlier this year, I saw the entire family dynamic change. We all suffered a tremendous loss, and Daphne was visibly depressed. After receiving recomendations that Pets Behave was the best training facility in the area, I called. Within the first hour of our private training, I saw a difference in Daphne. For the first time, I saw her relaxed and resting calmly within feet of two other dogs in the facility. What I was learning was that it wasn’t just Daphne, it was me who needed training as well. I needed to learn how to better communicate with her. The results have been simply unbelievable. Jennifer and Debbie have not only helped teach me how to better communicate with Daphne, but they have given me the tools to give Daphne the life she deserves. It’s a continuous process, but I have seen a depressed, fearful, and leash pulling dog begin to transform into a happy, carefree, gentle walker. It has truly been one of the best choices I have made in my life. She feels safer now, and the bond that has formed between us is amazing. Thank you Pets Behave for helping give an amazing dog back her happiness. I cannot thank you enough.
Amy Donald
Niceville, FL