Dog Training Testimonials

Testimonials

"Ruby"

Ruby is my first dog, and when I got her I had no idea what an Australian Cattle Dog was. We have a nice yard on the remote edge of civilization, and Ruby was pretty well voice trained at home. On the leash, though, she was a shoulder wrencher that made me question, was she really too much dog for me?

I was thrilled to start Shannon's obedience class, and there is a night and day difference in Ruby's behavior on the leash. We still have a lot of work to do, but that brings me to the real point I'd like to make.

Ruby getting trained is only a secondary benefit to attending the classes. They might be better titled, "Dog Owner Training Classes." As a first time dog owner, I am only now acutely aware that these classes are more important for training me to understand how to train my dog, and how my attitude and behavior affect the results of working with Ruby.

Ruby has always wanted to please, this class has taught me how to make it easier to teach her to please me.

Thanks from both of us, Shannon!

Eileen B. of Superior, AZ

"McKae Martin"

I literally happened upon Shannon by chance; some may call it luck. Whatever you want to call it, she is changing my life. For three years I have dealt with a dog that cannot walk by people, cars or animals without becoming a replica of Kujo. I never thought my Dr. Jeckel, Mr. Hyde dog would ever be able to sit quietly while a bicyclist goes flying by us. I would not have even imagined that he would stay in a lay position while other dogs trotted around him but that is exactly what he is doing, and this is only after attending our second class session.

I have watched every Cesar Millan episode, read all of his books and even purchased his DVD's. I am probably Cesar's biggest fan but I am quickly becoming an even bigger fan of Shannon Stephens. With Shannon's help I am finally able to see the dog that I have always wanted. Within minutes of meeting my dog Shannon literally had changed everything. I left our first class so proud of his and my accomplishments.

Ashley Martin

Greta and "Elwood"

My son wanted a dog a few years ago. We traveled to the dog pound and found a 8 week old puppy that looked like black lab, even though the sign on the cage said Rotweiller. My son raised his dog, taking care of accidents and we went through pet smart puppy training. As the dog grew to 125 lbs and my son entered teenage years, Elwood was walked less and less and seldom socialized. One time I took Elwood for a walk and as a little girl started to pet him, he unexpectedly attacked her. I started to take charge of Elwood after that. I took him on a few walks and made a few efforts at doing tricks with him.   But, I still had trouble with him and was very concerned I would not be able to stop him from attacking someone if he wanted to. Shannon suggested that I sign up for her class. I did, and after 4 classes, the final result is a dog that I have much more control of.

Shannon taught me how my dog thinks.  She showed me that my dog was the leader of the pack at home and in social situations.  I had no faith that I could not stop him from misbehaving.  (I weigh 125 lbs). Dogs are confused when their master allows them to be the leader. She taught me that he has to understand that all people and non-family animals are higher in the pack that he is.    She taught me to teach Elwood to obey me.

The slip collar, a key instrument in Shannon's approach, is wonderful. Prior to Shannon I took Elwood on walks with the gentle leader, a collar that also surrounds the nose. A wonderful tool, but Elwood spent more time trying to remove the nose noose than walking. With the slip collar, I was able to control him without annoying him. Although, as he is a bit stubborn, and it still takes some effort when he really wants something, I am able to control him.

While I have significantly improved my control of Elwood through my lessons, I still need some help. I plan on taking an advanced course from Shannon this fall.

Also, during class, we all shared our dog's particular behavior problems   Shannon provided suggestions that worked. There was one dog in our class who "stayed" on the opposite side of the park for 15 minutes on the 3rd lesson. On the first lesson, that dog would have been gone!

Thanks Shannon!

-Greta in Mesa, AZ