TRAINING Testimonial AS OF March 17th, 2009!

When no one else in Anchorage was willing or able to take on the challenge of Mocha and Kaiden, Alaska Dog Boarding and Training, INC transformed me into the pack leader for my previously 2 crazy dogs.

When I first began my journey with my pound puppies, Mocha and Kaiden, I treated them like my babies. I spoiled them in all the wrong ways and made excuses for their classic bad dog behavior, jumping, barking, running, and even some destructive behavior around the house. Although I considered my dogs obedient, and for the most part they were pleasant to live with, I eventually realized that my dogs were not stable without a real pack leader. This really became evident when my life began to fall apart and became very stressful, my dogs really began acting out with aggression, this was complicated by the birth of my special needs son Zak and active daughter Aurora.

Mocha had bitten and drawn blood and/or got a serious hold on another dog’s neck in over a dozen dog fights, and although Kaiden hadn’t drawn blood he would often lash out with growling, snarling, and snapping any time he felt threatened or didn’t want to follow a particular command. I let these issues fester with minimal corrective action, until one day when a local girl was killed while playing with her family dog and realized my dogs could actually be a danger to my family or society.

I contacted several local trainers in Anchorage. I knew from watching a lot of The Dog Whisperer that what I really needed was a dog behaviorist to help rehabilitate my dogs and someone to train me. Many of the groups I contacted focused on early basic training and didn’t deal with aggressive dogs or bad behaviors. The first one-on-one trainer I contacted did not believe that an aggressive dog could ever truly be rehabilitated; she also used a shock collar which I feared might escalate their aggression. This trainer referred me to my second trainer, who claimed to follow Cesar Millian’s methods and had a reputation of success working with aggressive dogs. I gave this woman a deposit of $500 to work with Mocha; she refused to even be in the same room with Kaiden after seeing his aggressive outburst. Although I wondered what she would do with Mochas serious dog aggression I had no other trainers that would even consider helping me. It became apparent that this trainer did not have the resources, ability, or patience to work with myself and Mocha; however she had recommended Kaiden go to a boarding facility, which is how I met Brigitte and Shaun.

Within minutes I knew that Alaska Dog Boarding and Training, INC would be the answer to my problems. Brigitte and Shaun both have

incredible calm assertive personalities when working with people and dogs. They showed no fear when encountering Mocha and Kaiden’s aggressive behaviors and their calm assertive energy and techniques quickly showed the dogs who was the pack leader. I boarded Kaiden with Brigitte and Shaun and they helped to rehabilitate Kaiden, Kaiden came home a much calmer and more balanced dog. Brigitte continued to work with my entire family after boarding Kaiden.

Brigitte built on my strengths and skills and helped me find methods that worked for me and my dogs; she treated my family as an individual situation. She has committed so much time and energy into me, Mocha, and Kaiden that I know that she truly cares that we succeed, I will forever be honored to share a friendship with the Lytle family. Brigitte has inspired and motivated me to truly commit to working with my dogs. Brigitte has reminded me how to enjoy working with my dogs and incorporate it into my regular day. I had lost my confidence and will to work with the dogs and Brigitte showed me how to have fun with my dogs again.

My initial goal was to live with my dogs and not fear that they would hurt another dog or person, I have already learned so much more. We have worked on mastering calm assertive energy when working with the dogs as well as improving Mocha and Kaiden’s doggie manners and obedience. Brigitte taught me the true meaning of obedience, the first time I saw Othello drop to the ground mid run at the concise command “platz” I was impressed. I have learned that the command “sit” or “down” is more than just the dog knowing it and following when they feel like it, it’s a direct action to the masters command. I now feel much more confident, and safe, when exposing or introducing my dogs to other dogs. There is still so much more I aspire to learn and teach my dogs, but Mocha and Kaiden know that I am the calm assertive pack leader and are no longer on a dominance power trip 24/7. Brigitte has helped me to realize how important it is to truly be the pack leader and to have your dogs respect.