Thanks again for the great classes. Cooper and I have lots of fun things to practice
and play with over the summer. Your methods, with the small steps, are easy to teach
and hopefully with more practice Mr. Cooper and I will perfect them. We adore Cooper and
credit you for helping us shape him into the dog he is. Puppy class really gave us the
techniques and support we needed. Family Manners and Tricks helped to deepen our
relationship with him.
Tina, Jon and Cooper 1 year old Lab X
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Charlie is doing great! The biting/mouthing is not really an issue any more.
If it does happen, it ends pretty quickly without any drama- it’s great! I bought
a 20ft rope which I let him drag around in the yard , it gives him some more freedom
and we are able to play more. He hasn’t tried to jump the fence. Yeah! He is such a
great dog. Thanks again for your help.
Janette and Charlie, 3 year old Pit Bull Terrier
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Thanks for all your help with Charli and being so patient with us (mostly me!)
as we transition to this new style of training. I found your advice really
helpful, and we both saw the wisdom in it. We're both really excited about moving
forward with this. As an aside, Charli certainly looked happier than she's ever
been in a training class - she even seemed to be enjoying herself and that's
a big relief for everyone.
Jenn, Andy and Charli, 4 year old Lab/Shepherd X
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| Thank you
so much for taking on the challenge of training our little girl, Tia.
You are the only one we had total trust and confidence in.
Ulla, Doug & Tia the Soft Coated Wheaton
Terrier, 5 1/2 months old. |
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As
I have a high drive dog, I have had many challenges curbing her
energy and focusing her on a goal that is mine, not hers. Darcie is
right on top of Sam's every move, never missing a prick of the tail
or a locking of her eyes and in the most positive and skilful way,
redirects and refocuses Sam. I've had a lot of advice about how to
handle my dog; Darcie challenges me to learn and practice positive,
clear, direct and also subtle skills to help me get the very best
out of my dog. Darcie has taught Sam and I how to play on the same
team! Thanks so very much for the amazing
classes you gave to me and Sam!!! A highlight of our summer.
Lenora & Sam the German Shepherd, 7 1/2 years old
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and I are doing well together. Thanks much in part to you, we are
improving a little bit every day -- the past two days Molly has
began initiating fun play with other dogs on her own and even though
I still have to watch her on the leash, I find that I am able to
read and understand her so much more than what I did before. I feel
like our communication has really grown and want to thank you for
your role in helping facilitate that.
Maria
& Molly, Collie X
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Riley,
a two year old Wheaten Terrier, had been making life miserable for
the older dog in our daughter's home, so we offered to take her.
She's a pretty sweet girl, but was poorly behaved on walks
and especially when we came in contact with other dogs.
We are fairly new to
Sidney
, but I saw Darcie's cards at
Sidney Feed Barn. Riley
and I attended the Basic Family Manners class and also had a couple
of one-on-one sessions with Darcie.
I am so pleased with what I have learnt in these sessions,
and Riley now seems like a totally different dog.
I think she is much happier knowing what is expected of her
and I feel more confident in her behaviour when we are out in
public. She's become
very sociable with other dogs and we now meet regularly off-leash
with other dogs and new friends.
I would highly recommend Darcie's classes or helpful
one-on-one sessions to anyone who would like to improve their
confidence and enjoyment of their 'best friend'. Thank you Darcie!
Diana & Riley the
Wheaton
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| Thank you so much for the many
insights you gave me into my body language and physical
communication with Wookie. I know I will need corrections as I lapse
into old habits but hopefully Wookie will be patient with me as
I work to become a better communicator. I can't thank you enough for
the huge difference it has already made and I look forward to more
learning with you and especially the opportunity to learn agility
from you. Thanks again from Wookie and I as you have helped us
attain another level in our being together.
Daphne
Panter & Wookie the Lab X
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| Thank you Darcie, everyone has
sure noticed a big difference in Cyan. Our tenant who takes
Cyan out sometimes can't believe it is the same dog. Big paws to
you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kelly
& Cyan the 1 ½ year old Boxer X
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After one hour with Darcie,
our lives were changed dramatically. Our beautiful Golden Retriever
Paddy learned very quickly that pulling on the leash is not much fun
when wearing a Halti. We learned to respond positively to all of the
good behaviour that Paddy began to show immediately. Three months
later we are doing even better, having moved beyond treats and
rewards. Now we are able to enjoy safe and wonderful walks together.
Darcie's approach and teaching style is fantastic and just short of
a miracle!"
Debbie & Herb Katz, & Paddy the 4 year old Golden
Retriever
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Dear Darcie........thanks for all the help
you gave in making our new dog Riley become a welcome member of the
family.......we adopted Riley from the CRD Animal Shelter and
despite his lovable looks, he came with a few issues we felt we had
to deal with quickly.
When we inquired about a trainer, your name was recommended and your
"Gentle, Reward Based" training was discussed.........We
decided to invest in our new pet by getting some one-on-one private
training. This is the best thing we could have ever done.
Keith, Kristine, Cole, Josie & Riley the
1 year old Mastiff X
Read
more of this letter |
PUPPY SUPERSTART
I have taken classes from several different dog trainers and
this was one of the best classes. Thank you.
Lisa &
Bentley the 5 month old Chihuahua |
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The positive reinforcement that was emphasized throughout the
training became very important to me as I noticed I could become
frustrated and sometimes negative at home. This all changed with
greater understanding of what was going on for Cody. The patience
you modeled was excellent. I appreciated the follow up on my
questions and the informative handouts. I enjoyed the training more
than anticipated! You have a nice, contagious demeanour. Thanks.
Lorraine
& Cody the 5 month old Yellow Lab. |
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| I just wanted to say how much my nine year
old daughter Thea enjoyed your class, and what a difference it made
in her relationship with our puppy. She has continued the training
at home and doesn't seem to encounter the frustration that children
sometimes encounter with puppy training. The difference with her
sister, who didn't go through the training is very apparent, and we
are looking forward to now bringing both dogs to you. Thank you for
offering such an upbeat, basic approach. It clearly works for all
ages.
Heather Warren
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| I
wanted to let you know that we really loved the classes we did with
you. I am glad to see that you still have us on your mailing
list and encourage you to keep in contact with us as we would like
very much to continue learning how to train Bella to become the
wonderful doggie she wants to be...lol. Keep up the good work and we
look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
Christopher and Bella, 4
month old Border Collie
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FAMILY MANNERS
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wanted to thank you. Your expertise has helped us both!! It was a
great class! You
have a wonderful gentle way with the dogs and owners and are very
knowledgeable......we learned a lot.
Johanna and Charlie the
Havanese, 2 years old
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| We've had many training sessions with Darcie and we
love her! Our puppies really respond to Darcie and with her help we
now have well behaved dogs. She inspires us to have confidence in
our dogs ability to learn. The classes are fun and relaxed and we
look forward to every class.
Kim Hicks & Maddie
the 10 month old Shepherd X and Avaleigh Hicks & Pedro the 6
month old Border Collie
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Since participating in your classes Monty has grown from a
high strung stubborn dog who understood only to sit, to a dog who
knows how to come, stay, lie down, and be more and more like a
family member. His favourite activity is to be with us, whether at
home watching TV or out on a trail off-leash, where he is now both
comfortable with other dogs and people. Thanks Darcie.
Birgit,
Ritchie & Monty the 2 year old Pug |
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Thanks for the great education
you provided to Rio and I! He is our first puppy experience and I
think we are blessed with an amazing canine pal (a great companion
to our 12 1/2 year old rescue Dalmation!)
Stephanie and Rio the 7
month old Whippet |
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
"The trainers/behaviourists listed on this
page assist non-profit rescue organizations and the Pound by
volunteering their time and expertise. Whether its helping a dog
adjust to its new family or provide training for a stressed shelter
animal, these dedicated professionals have donated their
services."
Read
the article on Darcie |
JUST
FOR FUN AGILITY
(This class is currently unavailable)
"I just wanted to let you know how
awesome you have done with the agility classes. Everyone
that has registered the last few months to take the classes
as well as the ones who come to watch you in action tell me
about how "Fun" you make Dog Agility and how great of an
instructor you are. It proves to me just how right I am by the
comments and positive feedback I have gotten about you!! Everyone who
has taken class tell me how they have had such an awesome
experience!!! Most of them want to continue because they are having
such a good fun time, are able to bond with their best
friends in such a positive environment, are able to gain more
confidence in themselves as handlers as well as gain confidence in
their dogs. Those who watch tell me that your classes are so enjoyable,
entertaining and exciting to watch and they can just see how much
fun the dogs and owners are having with you and with the class. You
sure do a great job!! Thank you so much for teaching all of these
dogs and their humans that they can work together, have a great time,
laugh, play and prove they all are special and amazing in their own
way, not matter what!!!!
You are the best!!"
Nancy Canfield, owner,
The Grateful Dog |
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Agility classes where to
start. . . Both Dixie and I enjoy coming to class every week. To see
her reaction when we mention that “Tonight is agility night”,
then to watch the eyes light up and the tail starts wagging. It is
amazing what we have learned from you and the other trainers. From
their first time they use each piece, to watching them link two or
more obstacles together, to the more advanced handling skills. The
bond that is created from these classes is amazing. The other
classmates – what great friendships both Dixie and I have gained
from meeting them. I feel like we are a little family. Your positive
style of training is great, “You make learning fun and easy.”
You have a way of communicating so that it works for each dog and
their owner. The location for the classes is great, lots of space so
we can set up all the equipment and the fact that you can use it
year round is a bonus. We only wish we could do it more than once a
week as we have so much fun.
Cheryl and Dixie the Lab
X, 4 1/2 years old
(coach and athlete) |
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