Winter grads 2009

Even tinies can do it & graduate with honors!

Lezle, center, with Wendi Riser (left), founder of the Hermon Dog Park and President of Friends of Hermon Dog Park, and Rachel Papp (right), Director of Community Programs, Sam Simon Foundation.

Graduation Photos !!!
Graduate? Your graduation photo will be posted here!

Graduation Spring 2009 What fun!

Class of 2008 — K9 Lofts

Spring Graduation 2008— Hermon Park

Hermon Dog Park Graduation

Graduating Class, Winter 2006

Graduating Class, Winter 2005

Graduation Class, Spring 2005

Hi Lezle,
Kelly, Kim & I truly enjoyed our class with you. This was Kelly's first venture into training and I'm pretty darned proud of the work she put in with Lauren. You were so encouraging to her--thank you! We hope to be able to continue.

Attached is a class photo, one with just us, as well as one from the day prior at Olvera Street and the Blessing of the Animals. Lauren dressed as a spring chicken and was quite the show stopper.

Thanks again.
Hugs,
Julie

Val and I are so pleased with the progress we've made with Twix's training.  She no longer bolts for the front door when it's opened, and she even obeys the "leave it" command (most of the time)! 

We learned so much from you about introducing Twix to other dogs and what signs to watch for.  It makes me feel so much safer at the dog park, now.  That was such a valuable lesson for us all.

A few months ago, Val fell while letting Twix out of the car and actually lost consciousness.  Twix was on her leash, but with an unconscious person on the other end, it doesn't do much good.  Twix could have run off and been lost in a heartbeat, but she stayed right by Val's side.  I have never been so proud of our little munchkin.  I truly attribute her obedience in that moment to our training classes and subsequent practice. 

We recently moved and Twix lost her best friend, Cali (she belonged to our roommate).  Twix has been making her displeasure with being an only dog abundantly clear, so we've started looking into adopting dog #2 (we've always wanted a second, but we knew our last house wasn't big enough for 3 humans and 3 dogs, so we waited).  Undoubtedly, you'll be seeing us in class again sometime soon with pup #2!

Thank you again!

Lezle's class was full of good information -- not only on what to do, but why. She did a great job of explaining why dogs do what they do, why they don't always understand what WE want them to do, and why it's so important that we teach them to do it. She does all this with a firm but gentle teaching style and a great sense of humor that puts her human students at ease. Dog training is a lot of work and can be frustrating at times; Lezle helps you understand why it's worth all the toil and trouble to develop a strong relationship with your dog.

Jenn Dungan (and Khyber)

I just wanted to apologize for not being in contact sooner and wanted to say thank you for helping us to train Pepper!  I'd love to come to another session with you.  We took Pepper to the dog park for the first time this weekend and I have to say that it went pretty well!  She didn't make any real enemies.  She still doesn't get the whole idea of play but she doesn't get as offended when other dogs try to play with her.  Anyway I did want to write a testimonial so here it goes:

When we first adopted Pepper we had no idea how to even begin to train her...and she needed it, badly!  Her social skills were so bad that we were afraid to have her meet new people or other dogs. She pulled when I would walk her...and I mean PULLING!!  She had actually injured me by pulling me into things.  Pepper did not care if she was choking herself and wheezing either.  It was bad enough to trying to control her while walking without any added distractions of other dogs.  Then not only was she pulling but growling and barking as well.  We had to get training with someone who knew how to handle a hyper and semi-aggressive dog.  Lezle was that person!   She was tough and understanding at the same time.  She really helped me to understand how my reactions affected Pepper and I learned how to be the one in control.  Now my Pepper and I have a great relationship, and we were even able to go to the dog park recently.  I was so amazed with the changes that I saw in Pepper and in myself!  Thank you, Lezle!!

I hope that's ok!  Anyway let me know when your next class is so we can get back into it!

Thank you,

Kristel

Tricks & Cute Dog Gallery
These photos and testimonials were sent to Lezle by some of her satisfied customers - and the people they love!

Mo' graduates!

Graduation Tricks
tim and i just wanted to thank you for all the help you gave us training josie.  when we first got her we thought she was a great dog with a kind heart...she just had really bad manners.  she used to jump up on us and act like a "cuckoo dog" whenever we fed her.  we got the same response when we'd bring out her leash to take her on a walk.  speaking of walks,
those used to be a nightmare.  she'd pull so hard on the leash the we'd end up with sore backs and shoulders!

since the class she's been much better behaved.  when we feed her she sits nicely and waits to be told that she can eat (the 'ok' release word). she also sits still when we put the Halti and leash on her for walks. the walks go much smoother now too.  you should see her sit down (without being told!) everytime we stop at a corner.  and the pulling has diminished quite a bit as well.  i think she's learned that if she just walks nicely we'll eventually get to that tree (or sign post or bush or ...) that she so desperately wants to sniff.

thanks again!  i'm sure we'll see you around at the dog park!
josie (and amy & tim)

Macabie
"Dear Lezle, I had a wonderful time at graduation. I especially liked the tasty doggy ice cream. Thank you for training my owner's as well as me to be a great team! We all think you're the greatest. Woof!"

Slobbery kisses,
Macabie

Another satisfied customer
I want to thank Lezle for helping me with my dog, Jack.  I came to Lezle in a state of panic, my dog sitter had just dropped us because Jack was hard to handle.  Lezle encouraged me to join the group training and assured me that Jack would do just fine.  I was nervous and reluctant.  Over the 6 weeks of training, I noticed that Jack was actually enjoying the challenges that were presented his way in class.  As he was succeeding, I was feeling more at ease.  Lezle is a great support to the dogs and as well as the owners every step of the way.  For that I am truly grateful.  I am continuing to see Jack succeed and I am continuing to handle him with greater confidence.  Thank you Lezle for everything!!

Christine and Jack

Final handshakes

I'm darn tired

It's a family affair
I just wanted to let you know that the Gentle Leader is working perfectly with Chloe.  I walked her using it two more times yesterday and once this morning.  Thank you for taking the time to work with us on properly using it.  I read the instructions thoroughly and tweaked the fit a tiny bit.  She doesn't fight me at all putting it on and I've learned to relax the leash
and walk normally with her. She is a dream to walk now and it is much easier to get her to focus when we are outside.  She's really getting the "walk with me/halt/u-turn/about turn" commands.   I can't say she loves it yet but she doesn't fight it.  I feel much better about walking with her when I don't feel like I'm choking her to keep her walking with me.  Chloe, Doug
and I will see you next Sunday.  We'll get a new medium sized Gentle Leader at PetCo to give back to you to replace the loaner you gave us.

Thanks again!
Leanna

Maggie does a trick

Nigel in his cap & gown

Too cute

Don't be shy!