Testimonials

e-mail

Carolark
600 Eagleson Road
Kanata, Ontario
K2M 1H4

Phone:
(613) 591-3277

Fax:
(613) 591-0419

Toll Free:
1-877-763-6664

page last updated
October 2009

home page | more about us | contact us | site map | e-mail

Link to our Letters page

Some testimonials from our clients .....

October 2009

Hi Carolyn,

I have been meaning to send you a note to let you know how impressed I am with the clicker training method which you taught me when I joined your puppy class with my Golden Retriever, Monti, in the summer of 2008.

As you know I have been training dogs in competitive obedience since the 1970's, starting with my first Bearded Collie using the then popular Kholer method. WOW! have training methods changed for the better, for us trainers and also of course for our companion dogs. I had become more and more uncomfortable with the use of force and dominance in my training and you opened up a new wonderful world for me with clicker training. Although I never used excessive force, I still had to Ťimpose my willť on my dogs, and even though we did it humanely and with sensitivity, I observed my dog enjoying training and competing less and less.

Now with Monti, it is the opposite. The more we train and do advanced work, the more he looks forward to it, the more he enjoys it; he is allowed to make mistakes which I just ignore and within a few tries, he drops that behavior and tries to proceeds to find the right one.

We started with you when he was around 10 weeks of age, and it has been a great adventure in learning for me. I was not familiar with that approach before I joined your class and from the first week I was curious to find out more about it and to train Monti exclusively with the clicker method.

I found that you gave me information on the principles and the approach, allowing me to use it for all sorts of training with this. Once you get the principles, the applications are infinite, isn't that wonderful!

Monti is a delightful dog who is always happy to work with me, never shows signs of distress in learning situations, keeps on trying to discover what behaviors will get me to click and has essentially learned to learn with this method. I am preparing him for obedience competitions, for rallyo competitions, and for agility; and he loves all of it. He is 18 months old now and I am looking forward to going to trials with him this year.

I have also retrained my other Golden, Bailey, a crossover dog, with this method, and he has earned his CD this summer with lovely scores in the 190's.

So thank you very much, Carolyn, for having introduced me to this fantastic method. Bailey and Monti send their thanks too!!

Lucie Allaire

Monti

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

July 2008

Just a note to express my gratitude for the training my dog, my family and I received at Carolark. Our Beagle, Lucky received puppy training and "Good Manners" 1 and the tools I learned to help me continue his training were invaluable. The clicker, which we seldom use now, was a great way to teach a young puppy, who now knows his lessons and responds to voice and hand commands.

In particular, the safety tips have been invaluable. The "Off" command has already saved my dogs life when I accidentally spilled a full bottle of arthritic dose aspirin and he wanted to help pick them up. The "Off" and "Down" commands had him drop and stay put while I gathered up the potentially fatal pills, and I was delighted at how well those lessons had set in.

In particular, the safety tips such as having the dog anchored when in the car have proven invaluable. The most poignant tip for me was never to let tethered dogs physically interact. I would never have thought of the danger of dogs getting hurt by becoming tangled but two of my dog's siblings are dead because they were left on tie downs in the yard while their owner went to work. When he returned at the end of the day, both dogs were dead. They were close to each other and were playing when they became entangled and they strangled trying to free themselves. The owner of the two youngsters, the breeder and the owners of the other litter mates have all been devastated by this accident and I can't thank the staff enough for pointing out the danger.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely
Barb Rolston and Lucky

Lucky

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

April 2008

Hello to everyone at Carolark,

I just thought you guys might be interested to see this video of "Hali" and "Blink", both graduates of Carolark dog training. I was introduced to clicker training through your classes, and I love it!

Here is the web link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BoEQS_1BSc

Thanks. These are the first dogs that I have owned and my husband and I were very grateful for the wonderful instruction that we received at Carolark.

Miki Shibata

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

July 2007

I truly believe that the bond that Neiko and I share has been enhanced and solidified through our classes at Carolark.

It really has been a wonderful experience and we both look forward to Neiko's next set of classes!!!

Sue

Neiko

Neiko - smile

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

June 2007

We took Oliver (Standard Poodle) to the puppy training this winter and we are just about to finish the Level 1 training. All of their training is based on operant conditioning and works better than any other method I have ever used.

The trainers were marvellous and very knowledgeable I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this programme!!

Jan Hynes

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

February 2007

Hi there!

Dan and I (Michelle) have just finished Obedience I training with George (a Brussels Griffon). George graduated last Thursday night! Joanne our trainer took out some of the Agility equipment for the dogs to play on as part of the last class. George (as did we) had a ball!

We'd like to provide you with a picture of 7month old "Curious" George emerging from the tunnel (which we have entitled "Tunnel Vision")! Joanne mentioned that we should forward it to you and that perhaps it could be included on your website!!

We've really enjoyed our classes with George and will definitely consider further training as it is rewarding for both owner and pet!

Warm regards,
Michelle, Dan and George

George

George - walking through the ladder

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

November 2006

Carolyn,

A belated thank-you for your work in organizing the Alexandra Kurland Clinic.

I thought you might be interested to hear that we have continued to build on the ideas and suggestions that Alexandra provided through the clinic and ideas from her book. Jora certainly enjoys the added opportunities of earning a few extra treats and Joanne has been able to get some great flexibility from her on some of the ground exercises.

We have also been trying some of the clicker techniques on a barn pony that shares a paddock with Jora. He is normally ignored and has really responded quickly to the clicker training showing off skills that have surprised others at the barn.

Peter and Joanne McLachlan

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

August 2006

Carolyn,

I want to thank you for your basic obedience course. The emergency recall most likely saved our beagle, Odie.

We took your course last winter/spring, and although Odie was, and still is a 'shy' boy who doesn't like change, he is fairly obedient for a beagle. He did learn his lessons well, though.

It was a day like any other, but my daughter left the foyer door open by accident when she opened the inside door. Odie ran out, and proceeded to run into the street (a busy 80kph highway where most people speed). I used the emergency recall, screaming "here now" loud and full of panic, and sure enough, Odie immediately ran straight towards me. As I grabbed his collar, a car sped by. If it hadn't been for your class, and the emergency recall, I am certain Odie would either have been hit by a car, or would have ran away never to be seen again. We still have our much loved beagle baby thanks to the emergency recall. I cannot thank you enough for this. Words can never express our gratitude.

The emergency recall should be a basic lesson for ALL dogs, and the more that learn it, the better!

Yours truly

Julie Annand, Ray Lavoie, and Odie

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

May 2006

Dear Carolyn,

I love this photo of Burrley's graduation day.

Thanks so much for a good course, we really enjoyed it!

All the best for a good spring and summer!

Cheers,
Dianne Richardson and Burrley

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

September 2005

Dear Carolyn,

As promised, here is the picture of Pixie with message. We are both enjoying our sessions at the classes, and I hope Pixie will calm down before long.

Thanks,
Pat Martinson

Pixie

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

August 2005

Hi there!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for teaching Jackson and I the "Emergency Recall" at our Level 1 Class. I can honestly say that I didn't imagine a time when I would need to use it, and underestimated the importance of this until just recently.

My 8 month old pup and I were walking in a leash free area in Southern Ontario when Jackson managed to sneak a few steps away, under a fence and into an old quarry that had filled with water. The 8 foot fence around the entire pit meant that I could not get close to Jackson to bring him out of the water. Jackson started panicking as he swam out further and further into the middle. He was whimpering and flailing about and I was quite afraid that he would drown as there was no place to rest.

I instinctively yelled, "Jackson DANGER", which was our emergency recall word and he immediately calmed and swam towards me so that I could hold his paws under the fence on the muddy slope. When I tried to get him to crawl back under the fence, he panicked again and swam away. I used his emergency recall again and once again, he immediately returned and by this time, people were there to help lift the fence and help him out.

All I can say is thank you. I feel like the emergency recall saved my best bud's life. Jackson says thanks too because he knew exactly what to do when I called to him! :)

Sincerely,
Kate and Jackson

Jackson and Lion

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

July 2005

Good morning!

This is just a quick note to thank Judy and Suan for such a fun Level 1 Course that Indie & I just completed last night! It was 7 weeks of FUN and lots of learning! Indie & I looked forward to our "date night" every week, and may have to just have an hour of "quality time" together on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 from now on!!

I would recommend your school to ANYONE looking for a happy place to train a dog.......AND an owner!! Thanks again!!

Indie & Lynn

Indie Lynn

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

April 2005

Hi Carolyn,

I tried to see you for a moment before I left last night but you were very busy booking classes, and I didn't want to disturb you.

I just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed the classes I've taken with both Luke and Lexi. Your program is excellent and all of your instructors are wonderful. I've had the opportunity to recommend Carolark to many puppy people since I first had Lexi in your classes, and will most happily continue to do so.

Click/treat, Carolyn....you're doing a great job.

Warmest thanks,

Lilly

PS: I've enrolled Luke in your Tuesday morning Level II, starting in May.

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

January 2005

Thanks Carolyn!

I wanted you also to know how much I am enjoying the classes that I am attending with Nero!!! I tell you, the first time he sat for me and I was able to walk right around him gave me the most amazing feeling!!!!! I think he was pretty pleased with himself too!

Judy is great! she is really good with the dogs, knows what she is doing (Suan too), and she is so willing to answer questions! When Nero sees her, he walks right up to her and sits, just becasue he knows he will get treat from her for sitting! - very cool!

Thank you so much!!!!!

Paula

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

from Miyazaki, Japan: December 2004

Carolyn,

I think your seminar was excellent for animal hospital staff. Many vets had been wondering what a puppy party was, but now they are more interested and their attitude probably will change. In that sense, you gave vets and staff a great opportunity. Thank you for the seminar just as we wanted.

Our staff and our familly love you very much!

We are very lucky to have known you. I'm looking forward to having you again and learning a lot of things from you.

I'm going to bring DVDs and pictures to Yokohama.

See you on Sunday!

Yuko and Dr. Michiharu Niina
Niina Animal Hospital

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

November 2004

I wanted to mention how nice it was of Carolark to think of those wonderful ribbons for our (pets and handlers) work. It showed us how Carolark believes in training pets and people in a very welcoming and enjoyable way.

Thank you so much for letting us join in the fun and practice while I was in Ottawa. Topaz and I enjoyed it very much. As you can see Topaz has not forgotten her second family at Carolark.

Louise L.

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

June 2004

Carolyn,

I attended puppy class last night with Springer (and all the other puppies). What a great class. Both yourself and the trainer, Cathie were absolutely wonderful. Just with the little training Springer has had in the last week he is even more amazing. We love him and really want him to be a well behaved sociable dog and you have him well on his way. Springer doesn't have the opportunity to be with other dogs very often (we live on a farm) so it's nice that he can learn to be around other dogs at class.

Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to next weeks class.

Carole

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

February 2004

Carolyn,

I figure if I write to you when I am having problems, that I should also write when things are going better.

Last night was amazing for us. It was like last week never happened. Sierra was a little anxious when we first walked in, but she did settle down. We where then, even able to try certain tasks with her and she was outstanding, A+ in certain tricks. I am so excited and happy for us.

I thank you, and Sierra Thanks you

Cathy H.

-------------------------------- ooo --------------------------------

January 12, 2003

To the staff at Carolark,

Thank you for helping make my dogs' lives wonderful! Your school has also helped me become a more patient, better owner.

Diane and Norm and Dixie and Stan
and various others