Success Story #31: Margaret Angus and Casper

"My husband and I have a very spoilt 3 year old Border Collie/ Retriever. At about 18 months old, he developed a severe case of fear based aggression towards his own territory, other dogs, strangers, anybody that comes to close to me, even people he knows, he even growled and lunged at the local vet, whom Casper knows. He has growled and lunged at a teenager walking too close to me. He seems to have a comfort zone around him, anybody coming closer than that look out.

He has earned himself quite a reputation around town for being a vicious dog, which is unfortunate, as at home he is a very placid, big softie that we can do anything with.

He has made a real spectacle of himself in the past, when out on a lead with me, in the car etc. which is sad, as that is all most people see of him, a dog that looks threatenening and menacing, which he does. It is not very nice to have to say, when out walking with your dog, when people want to come up and talk to you and the dog to have to say keep your distance, don't come near the dog. By this time Casper is usually growling and they don't come close anyway, which is a shame as Casper does look very cuddly and pattable. Having never owned a dog, we thought all you had to do was to love them to bits, and spoil them, and that was it.

Secrets to Dog Training taught me that this is not so, there is a lot more to it. He failed miserably at Dog Training School, by this time we were getting desperate, when I ran across Secrets to Dog Training on the internet. Secrets to Dog Training has been invaluable in helping us gain control of Casper, by showing him that we are the boss, and he doesn't have to feel threatened, or feel he has to protect us, as he obviously lacks the confidence to do so. That is our job. We realise we have never been the pack leaders, and that we haven't done him any favours by giving in to him and spoiling him, treating him like a baby etc.. By applying the principles outlined in Secrets to Dog Training to Casper, he has improved out of sight, he still has a way to go, but now we can see light at the end of the tunnel. Even from the feedback from around town, people have seen the improvement in him, and wonder how we have accomplished this.

I have recommended Secrets to Dog Training to several people, as they can see the improvement in Casper, even the dog school had to admit that he had improved since he was there, they gave him up as a lost cause, even suggesting putting him down.. I am very grateful to Secrets to Dog Training.

Casper is getting to be a pleasure to take out for a walk, not the nightmare he used to be, I used to dread taking him out. Thanks to Secrets to Dog Training, I am gaining my confidence with him, and this in turn makes him feel better. Thank you Secrets to Dog Training."
-- Margaret Angus and Casper (New Zealand)

Success Story #32: Gisela Grace S. Alvarez

"Attached is the photo of our family with our pet labradoodle, Jem. A little background of our family: We live on the Central Coast in Australia. Like any responsible “parent”, our family prepared for the arrival of our newest “member”, our darling labradoodle puppy, Jem. Part of our preparations was the purchase of the Secrets to Dog Training e-book. The book is so comprehensive, easy to understand and well-presented that is why I did not hesitate to instruct my sons to read it as well so each one of us knows how to become an “alpha dog” and how to issue commands consistently.

It is recommended here in Australia to attend a puppy pre-school class for training and socialisation. We started Jem’s home training based on Secrets to Dog Training way before he started his "formal training". There’s nothing new we learned from the pre-school class that we haven’t learned from your e-book first. As a result, Jem finished “valedictorian” in his class. Thanks Daniel!"

-- Gisela Grace S. Alvarez (Australia)

Success Story #33: Anna Kovalenko

"Hello Daniel, Your book is great, I trained one dog 15 years ago, so now when I got my new puppy I really didn't know where to start, I forgot everyhting about training a dog! Your book helped me a lot, it really refreshed my memory and I got so much more info about training without stressing out a dog or yourself. Now anytime I call my puppy to come, he rans as fast as he can, because he knows that he will get a lot of love for coming to me!!! Alpha dog is a great book also, my puppy now really knows who is the boss, and if I say "NO" he doesnt hesistate to obey! I really think that anyone who is getting a puppy should get your book!

And Thank You for a great stuff support, the replies to questions are fast and to the point."
-- Anna Kovalenko (New York, USA)

Success Story #34: Liz Grewal & Tyson

"Hi Daniel, I love your book Secrets to Dog Training, & have learnt quite a lot from reading it. I have included one photo of Tyson & I, & three more of Tyson. Tyson is an Australian Koolie, his colouring is called 'blue'. Koolies come in the full variety of colours & are bred for herding sheep & cattle. Love your book & have found the section on Dog Whispering to be fascinating. Thank you again."
-- Liz Grewal & Tyson (NSW, Australia)

Success Story #35: Mara Giampaola

"I wanted to send you a testimonial on how wonderful your book was, and how much it helped my little Sydney, who is a year and a half old yorkie. Thank you for your help! Sydney is my one and a half year old yorkie who was having problems barking whenever anyone came to the door, we passed by anyone on our walks, and anytime she heard something outside. I tried your techniques with the squirt gun and what a difference it has made. Everytime I hold the water gun now, she knows that she should be quiet. I had to learn that I needed to become the alpha with her and not let her run the household. She is a very pampered princess, but now Syndey knows who is the boss. Your books are a great refresher to read and each time I find new information. Thank you for your help!"
-- Mara Giampaola (New York, USA)

Success Story #36: Anke Herrman

"Hi Daniel, I am a first time dog owner. After years in an office I now work from home and had been thinking of getting a dog for some time. I was still in the process of deciding whether to go to a breeder or a shelter when I found Leo, a mixed race puppy of now about 7 months, abandoned in the streets 4 months ago.

Having no experience at all I immediately started looking for all the information I needed in order to have a healthy, well behaved and happy dog. I found the search rather frustrating until I came across your web site and bought your book. Finally I had found what I was after - information about the nature of dogs which helped a lot to understand Leo’s behaviour, easy to follow step by step instructions for teaching him all the things I want and don’t want him to do, invaluable tips and case studies for coping with any problems. It all made so much sense and gave me a lot of confidence.

Although Leo had been a friendly, loving and fairly unproblematic dog right from the beginning, he did at times have quite a mind of his own. So I found especially the section on being the alpha dog extremely useful. In fact, I cringed (and giggled) when I realised the mistakes I had been making – feeding him first in an attempt to prevent him from begging, letting him go through doors first or stepping around him when he’d made himself comfortable in an inconvenient spot. Changing my behaviour was easy and showed amazing results after just a few days. With your book as a constant companion it is a lot of fun training Leo and no doubt he is enjoying it too. Thanks so much for your help."
-- Anke Herrman (Granada, Spain)

Success Story #37: Ali Foster

"Dear Daniel, I am thoroughly impressed with the service provided by Secrets To Dog Training. The modules are easy to follow and the invaluable advice has enabled me to become the 'alpha dog'. Buzz's behaviour is improving daily and I have even been able to leave him for a 2 week stay in kennels something which I couldn't contemplate before because of his aggressive attitude towards strange people and dogs. He became one of their 'stars'. At nearly five years old and an RSPCA rescue dog to boot, I thought Buzz was a bit of a lost cause. The Secrets to Dog Training programme has proved you can teach an old dog new tricks!"
-- Ali Foster (Great Britain)

Success Story #38: Susan Cohen and Kali

"Kali is a sheltie mix adopted from animal control. She is about a year old. We had Kali for two months when I started looking on the internet for different books on dog training. One of Kali's problems WAS she would have accidents in the house near the litterbox. We had no idea how to stop her. She was let out in the backyard often but would still have an accident. I then found the Secrets to Dog Training website. I decided to give Secrets to Dog Training a try. It was a lot less then calling a private trainer

To my surprise there was something in the book that was very easy to try. I did and it broke Kali's habit of having accidents in the house immediately. Once you buy the book you can even e-mail Secrets to Dog Training with a question which I did. I had an issue with my four cats and dog. They answered my e-mail quickly and gave me suggestions which have helped. I would recommend Secrets to Dog Training to anyone looking for dog training information. It is well worth the money. Thank you."
-- Susan Cohen and Kali (Florida, USA)

Success Story #39: Ed Melzer

"I got Max from the local Animal rescue league kennel at 10 weeks old. After spending several weeks of unsuccessful training, I went hunting on the internet for professional help and ran across SecretsToDogTraining.com. I purchased the book online and the result was amazing. After learning the Alpha dog theory, the training was quick and rewarding. The whisper training has made Max a gentle and loving dog.

The only problem, I had was getting him to come when he didn't want to, but after contacting Daniel and using their advice that now has been conquered. The Secrets to Dog Training method is outstanding and well worth it price."
-- Ed Melzer (USA)

Success Story #40: Jahn Hargrave

"These sweet, innocent looking little darlings are named Max and Chance and they are the light of my life. Both are shelter dogs and as best as my vet can tell, pitt bull/boxer mixes. I first acquired Max when a friend of mine left for boot camp and needed someone to care for him. Since he is in the Army National Guard, and can have to leave on a moments notice, he gave me Max when he realized how much I had fallen in love with him. However, Max is seventy-five pounds of pure energy and exuberance! He was a real challenge on a leash, even for my friend and he's a very strong man. After following your advice in Secrets to Dog Training, I am pleased to tell you that we go for long walks/jogs in the park and Max is wonderful. He stops when I command him to and resumes when told. He slows down when I do and picks up the pace when I begin to run. He could easily send me to the chiropractor if he had a mind too, but he has become a joy to walk and he helps keep me motivated on the days I don't really feel like
walking. I consider him my exercise machine with fur.

Now... for the real challenge. In February of this year, my friend and I decided that Max needed a playmate. There are so many great dogs in shelters that need a good home that I feel compelled to look there first. We found Chance at a Humane Society here in NY. He was so sweet. We took Max to visit him at the shelter and they got along wonderfully, so a week later we brought Chance home.

He was fabulous when we were home with him, very loving and well behaved, but what the shelter neglected to tell us, (until we called back a month later about his neuter certificate) was that he had been returned three times because he suffered from separation anxiety and was very destructive when left alone. We tried caging him but he is so strong that he bent the door on the cage. We had the door reinforced and his buddy, "Max Houdini," found a way to get him out! They would pull a blanket or article of clothing through the cage until they couldn't stuff it anymore and Max would pull from the outside until they bent the cage walls! They are very smart dogs! We tried padlocking the cage, etc., but finally gave up the idea as it distressed Chance to be left in it for four hours at a time. Instead, we concentrated on "dog proofing the house." We put the garbage up so that he couldn't tear it up, cleaned the carpet with Ammonia where he had gone inside to remove his scent and deter further bad behavior. We made sure he went out twice before we left home and always leave the radio on for him. We spent time picking out toys that we knew would keep them entertained, and we gave them plenty of attention when we were home.

Chance would follow us around the house every where we moved for hours after we returned and when either of us put on our coats, he would get extremely nervous. I began wearing my coat inside the house for a while even when I wasn't going out and I left a blanket off our bed for them when we were away. It has been a long haul and a lot of cleaning, but I am pleased to say that he is much better. He still has an occasional setback, but for the most part, patience has paid off and he and Max behave well when we leave the house.

I believe it was the combination of the training techniques is Secrets to Dog Training and good old fashioned patience that paid off. Chance is now pretty secure that he has a good home and that he is not going to be returned to the shelter or abandoned and I think that helps. For those of you looking for a new dog, puppies are wonderful, but a shelter dog truly need you. Go ahead, visit one today. I dare you not to fall head over heels in love!"
-- Jahn Hargrave (New York, USA)