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"I'm not sure if clicker training or the more positive methods were around when we trained our last big dogs in the early 90s. If it was, I wasn't aware of it. Your class was our first exposure to clicker training and positive reinforcement to the exclusion of all else.
Clara has learned the basics in your puppy class at least as well I remember any of our other dogs learning them with other methods. I really appreciated the extra effort you took in helping us. Our first night was rough, which you must have sensed. We had brought Clara home only days before, and the tension of change in our household was really on the surface that night. You volunteered your time for an extra session the very next day, which I gratefully accepted.
That session gave me the confidence to know things would be OK. You also went out of your way to supply "recommended reading" and web resources to help us get started.
Since it had been so long since we had a puppy, I was especially grateful for the latest information on housebreaking as well as on biting in puppies. It's a very different situation raising a big dog with three small children! I am a petite woman, and Clara will eventually outweigh me. While we have used choke collars and punitive methods on big dogs in the past "to show them who is boss", I am always leery that a big dog can overpower me when faced with temptation.
It seems that your approach will be better in the long run, as it won't be dependent on a "crutch" that may not be available in all situations."
Chris
"I think that the individual attention you gave each dog and owner was great and we loved the email follow ups."
Kelly
