Testimonial 3 - Mumford

My dog, Mumford, and I had the pleasure of taking the Puppies WITHOUT Issues puppy class with Mary last November. I must admit I was hesitant to do this with him as I wasn’t sure how he (or I) would handle it. He is a high-energy terrier mix and, often, quite a handful! However, during the very first class, I knew Mumford was in good hands. Mary’s positive reinforcement approach to training and handling is clearly the angle that makes everything work. After learning just a few basic training techniques, I noticed a major improvement in Mumford’s focus and reaction to certain negative situations. For example, just recently, he grabbed a bottle cap from the kitchen table and started running away with it. I suppressed my knee-jerk response of running after him and acted “like a zombie” and offered him a piece of cheese in exchange for the cap. He quickly dropped the cap and I gave him the cheese, and took away the cap without him seeing me do so. It was amazing to see a behavior goal play out so successfully! I would DEFINITELY recommend Mary to anyone who is needing some extra help dealing with the unexpected issues that come with a new puppy. She is super friendly, patient, upbeat, and makes learning enjoyable for both dog and owner. Without a doubt, I’ll be taking Mumford back to Mary for another class! 

- Heather G. from Union Bridge, MD