TRAINING TESTIMONIALS

We adopted Tuesday as a 10 week old puppy from a shelter. She was abandoned at around 4 weeks old and didn't get to have the crucial weeks socializing with her mom and litter that puppies need. We found that although her foster parents did great work both potty and crate training her, she was displaying behaviours we didn't want such as nipping, barking, and pulling on the leash. As brand new pet parents, we didn't know how to address these behaviours so that Tuesday could become a dog we could be proud of. From our first phone call to Nick we have felt nothing but supported and in the very best hands. Nick has dedicated many hours to listening to our concerns, modelling training techniques, and being a fantastic resource for anything dog related. He has helped us mold Tuesday into an 8 month old puppy who obeys voice commands and hand signals and is often the subject of other people's positive remarks when we take her in public. I can't count the number of times people have commented on her exceptional behaviour! Nick is kind and gentle with Tuesday and uses firm positive guidance with the dogs he trains (Tuesday absolutely loves him!). I would recommend training with Nick for anyone - whether it be puppy training, changing negative behaviours, or just teaching your dog something new. He is unquestionably the best. We can't wait to continue Tuesday's training in 2012!

Kelly Webster
 

Nick, We would like to thank you for your guidance in helping us train Gunner, our now 6 month old Doberman mix puppy. Before our training sessions, walking was a challenge as he would bite the leash, roll around & shake his head like a dog possessed. Thanks to your tips & suggestions, walking him is a pleasure, and so are the comments we get from people that we meet on the street. We constantly hear things like “what a good walker” & “what a well trained dog”.

We are very pleased with the results of our training sessions & will recommend you to our friends in need of a trainer for their puppies. 

The Dempsey’s

Jagger and I would like to thank you for all the work that you put into our sessions. Your flexibility with working around my schedule is and was greatly appreciated. Jagger is a good puppy that people always make comments about, and I am sure to mention your name when people ask who his trainer was. You converted my opinion about the prong collar, and with that, Jagger walks well with it. Thanks again for your hard work, best of luck with Jack and Harley!

Keep in touch, Megan and Jagger :)

Nick

Zulu and I would like to thank you so much for your help in getting Zulu to be a well balanced and obedient dog.

She was a rescue and I was having difficulty with her but with Nick's help and guidance I was able to have her become and well mannered and obedient and balanced dog and she now gets along wonderfully with my older dog Brutus.

I learned so much and was really impressed with Nick;s techniques and also how patient he was and how much he truly cares about dogs.

I would highly recommend his services to anyone who is having issues and or behavior problems with there dogs.

Thank You again Nick and keep in touch please stop by anytime the coffee will be ready for you anytime.

Sincerely

Evelyn McDonald and Zulu and Brutus
 

Maverick is a one year old Doberman and we needed him trained or we would have to find him a home with a bigger yard. Before Nick from K9 Development Maverick was very difficult to walk, he would jump on people who were walking by, pull me, he barked non stop and obeyed no commands. When I first called Nick he spoke to me on the phone for over an hour about ways to curve Maverick's behaviour. When Nick came out to see us I was surprised at how well Maverick obeyed him. We are still in the process of training Maverick but so far he is easy to walk, can be left off a leash in the park and stay by my side. We now enjoy Maverick and look forward to more training sessions so that we can have a well behaved family pet. It makes me wonder why I did not call Nick sooner. 

Thanks Nick.

Char

Before we enlisted the help of Nick, Dani while not a bad dog, had some undesirable traits. She would pull us down the street whenever we went for a walk, which made walking her a pain. As well she did not listen to any commands she had previously learnt. The first day that Nick came out to see her, she became a changed dog. He showed us how to walk her properly and since then she is the best walker, we've just recently got to a point where she can walk without a leash for a while. This all happened from what Nick taught us. We learned new ways to teach Dani commands and they work. I would not hesitate to call Nick again if we needed help with Dani again or if we got a new puppy. We are so thankful for Nick and the changes he made with Dani!!!

Joah, Kate and Dani

Hi Nick,

Lily would like to thank you for helping make her a more obedient walker while on her own and with her friends. Also, she would like to thank her two new friends Harley and Jack for the walk. You did a fantastic job! thank you so much for all your help; it was greatly appreciated.

Lily's mom, Lisa

Hi Nick

I would like to tell everyone how happy and satisfied we are with all the training and tips that Nick taught us for Bella. Bella is now an amazing puppy since our lessons with Nick. Nick taught us how to handle bad behavior and deal with issues between our other dogs. We are a household with 3 dogs, so we needed to know how to blend Bella with 2- 3 year old dogs and Nick was a big help with this. I have already recommended Nick to people and will continue to do so. I think that it is great that he comes to your home, this is where you need the help and where the issues occur so it makes more sense to me to bring the trainer to the home.

Thank You so much for all your help and knowledge Nick and Best of Luck to you in the future.

Fran and Keith Young

Nick- Thanks for teaching me how to listen to my Mom - Bella Young

You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

My dog Rocky has been our only child for nine years, or at least that's how he saw it. He had his run of the house and the undivided attention of my husband and I until our son Geo was born.

Rocky did not take well to Geo, he grumbled and growled whenever my precocious little son crawled around him or showed interest in him in any way. What made the situation worse was that Rocky didn't listen to us, so we were in a difficult situation.

Nick came into our house and showed us simple techniques to make Rocky more happy and reciprocally more obedient. Now we have an easy going older dog, who loves his walks with Geo and the family and listens to our commands.

We don't worry anymore about having the dog and the baby in the same room. Thanks to Nick there's peace in our home.

I'd also like to mention that Nick is not only a knowledgeable and competent dog trainer but he is also a friendly non-judgmental guy. He is totally the kind of person you would want in your home, working with your family and your pet.

I can't say enough good things about Nick and his training. I've recommended him to my friends and would recommend him to anyone.

Connie and Nick Sandros

Nick we want to thank you so much for training Duke.
He is now an awesome Dog.
Thank you for all your patience and guidance.
Please Keep in Touch.

Sincerely,
Marie, Eric and Duke

Nick,

Dave and I wanted to say how much we enjoyed your puppy training sessions for our Border Collie, Daisy. We were having trouble getting Daisy to walk on her leash without biting it and jumping up, and noticed positive results after the first few sessions.

You were friendly and professional, and explained everything along the way. Now we can take her for a walk without frustration. What a difference!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Nick,

Dave, Janet, and Daisy.

Nick

Thank You for all your help with Sophie. Your methods truly work great.

Thanks so much,

Sarah and Sophie

I brought home my beautiful German Shepherd puppy Brinks last March. I quickly realized that training her was going to be more than I ever bargained for. I put her into several "puppy training and obedience" classes and nothing seemed to work or stick with her. I was quite frustrated and lost as I had no idea what to do. I found Nick's name on the internet and decided to contact him. This was the best thing I have ever done! After just a week I noticed a HUGE improvement in Brinks' behaviour. Nick did not just do the training, he taught me how to train. He taught me how to speak to Brinks in a firm voice and how to control the leash to get her to respond to me. In no time Brinks was listening and responding to my basic commands both on and off leash. Instead of pulling me down the street, she now trots calmly next to me. I couldn't be more happy with Nick's training and I would greatly recommend him to anyone!

Thank you for all of your help with Brinks...she really is turning into an amazing dog! I will be contacting you in the spring for some more advanced training!

Amanda and Brinks

I was at my wit's end, ready to give up on myself and Bear, our rescue pup. We had already been through 2 full sessions (16 classes) of training with another company- I hadn't seen much of a change, and I was losing hope. Bear would play bite and, not realizing how rough he was, would draw blood and treat me like his play toy. Nick showed me how to be firm, consistent and "Leader of the Pack". Bear is now much more well behaved and obedient. I would highly recommend Nick to anyone. He is a very dedicated trainer having great compassion for the animals. (and never giving up on the owner)

Arlene, Glenn, Ashley, Shaun & Bear

In Nov of '09 I acquired a 2 month old Labradoodle puppy (Cash) and decided early in his development to train him. After floundering around (10 years since I trained my last dog) and pretty much failing miserably, I came across Nick's homepage on the internet. He immediately impressed me as someone who both knew and really liked dogs. Cash and I followed Nick's lessons as closely as possible on training nights and 6 and sometimes 7 days a week and I now have a 10 month old pup who is well on his way to being a great dog. Nick- Cash, Elvis and I thank you so very much. It's nice to meet and deal with someone like you. 
Good luck with your puppy. 

Rick Machin, Windsor

Nick: My dogs and my family would really like to thank you guys for your help with our 2 labs Cassie and Baxter!! They are very special to us, so we were desperate to get some help to try and alter their not-so-great-bahaviours after the birth of our daughter! My dogs were notorious in this neighbourhood for their antics....you name it, they've done it! They still revert to some of their old "tricks" time and again, but thanks to you, we now have the skills to work with them to overcome it! Everyone who knows these 2 dogs is truly amazed at their transformation....I get stopped all the time since I can now walk them AND our baby at the same time!! I really appreciate your help after our sessions when I had questions regarding our training.....I have and will continue to recommend K9 Development to ANYONE!!! Cassie and Baxter miss you guys!

From the Wilsons.
Courtney, Rob, Addison, Cassie and Baxter-boy!!

Nick we would just like to thank you for our Puppy Training. Mia is doing great and we get so many compliments on what a well behaved Puppy she is. I would Highly Recommend You and Your Training to any New Puppy Owner.

Keep In Touch Man
All the Best,
Tony and Mia

Hey Nick,

Bo and I wanted to thank you for the dedicated work and time that you put in with us and Inara. She's been very trying and with your help things were put into perspective and we were able to work through the issues. You showed us the potential in her and gave us the tools to bring that out. We look forward to working with you in the future!!

Crystal, Bo, and Inara

Nick, Its been a pleasure working with such dedicated trainers. Lucy and Harley have gained such positive results with great training and positive encouragement, and for me, it's to continue with everything you have taught us. Your kindness and reinforcement that consistency pays off, is what obviously a good trainer does. 

My once very energetic, and over powering puppies have now learned commands, and have settled a great deal, and are adapting to know I am the boss of them. Nick has taught "me" that patience and consistency does pay off. I am going to continue with other training programs for Lucy and Harley, they learn quickly, and Nick helps in teaching me to do that. 

Thanks Nick............its been a pleasure working with you........see you again soon. 

Lucy and Harley will miss your weekly visit until we begin training again. 

Brenda

Training with K-9 Development, a professional trainer, was a new experience for both of us. We always assumed we could do it on our own. Now looking back it is clear to see that they helped give the family the self-esteem to have a well balanced, obedient dog. The dog seemed to be along for the ride, not to mention Billy the Bulldog who attended only for the treats at the end. 

Training was very straight forward, and easy to understand. Nick helped to explain every step of the way and helped us to understand some of what the dog may be thinking or how the dog understands our body language...something that again was new to us. Having someone available to you with those questions you always forget was a very nice added bonus...the shaker can was a miracle for us.....

The decision to have a professional trainer come into the house was the best one we could have made...having a puppy and a toddler was something we, as a family, couldn't take lightly. The difference in Bosco today is remarkable!!! I look forward to round two with K-9 Development!!!

Kim, Mike, Abby and of course Bosco!

Hi Nick,

We can't thank you enough for the expert help you gave us with our black lab Duke. When we rescued him from the Humane Society he was only 7 months old but he was big and very dominate. He refused to listen to any of us, especially our 2 daughters who are 12 years old and 8 years old. We tried to utilize the reward training at another facility but that only made things worse. Thanks to your help and guidance, we now have a wonderful life with our newest family member. Your passion for animals, skills and consistent training methods really work. Duke is extremely obedient and listens to all of the family members. Your patients and encouragement with our daughters helped them learn to take control of Duke and maintain the training necessary. Duke now listens to them and our daughters can take him for a walk on their own. I would definitely encourage anyone who is looking for a trainer to try K-9 Development. This was the best thing we did. We are extremely happy with the results.

The Hartleib Family, Dave, Wendi, Ashley & Samantha

We were having some issues with our boxer Bowser to the point where we needed help as he was getting bigger and stronger and harder to manage.

We called Nick and he came out and met with us and explained the program in detail and told us that he could help us.

With Nick's guidance and methods we started to see quick results with Bowser. He became much more obedient and we were able to solve the issues we were having with him. After the eight weeks with Nick we can honestly say we have a much better and well rounded dog who is very obedient. We are now much happier and we have become even closer to our dog and he is now eager to please and thanks to Nick we have the tools and methods to continue his progress for years to come.

Thank You so much Nick and please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Sue, Andy and Bowser

We have had two other dogs, which were very easily trained. But this one (devil dog), well we knew we needed some extra help. He is an 8 month old Golden Retriever (Murphy) He was extremely head strong and dominating it was Murphy's way or no way. Murphy would become (devil dog) and very aggressive as well. Jumping and nipping at your hands and arms, just because he was told to do something. Remember it's Murphy's way or no way. He's very obstinate! Well I was starting to hate my new fury family member, until I found Nick on the internet.

After reading the testimonials and talking to Nick in person for about 2 hours, I knew he was the trainer for us. It is true in a very short time we noticed a difference in Murphy's response. He was not jumping up on people who came to the front door anymore, and yes he was even coming when he was called. He still becomes (devil dog) but only once and a while. If you need help with your furry family member then give Nick a try he sure helped me out. I now have a well mannered gorgeous golden who passed the Basic Obedience training thanks to Nick.

Thank you Nick Howchuk 
TERRY & MURPHY 
The coffee's on, we'll keep in touch!!

Brady was a rescue dog who was one year old  when we adopted him. We knew that he had spent much of his life in shelters, but he was so friendly, we didn't think training him would be a problem. After all. Brady was our fifth dog, and we had successfully trained all the others. We learned very quickly though that we needed professional help with Brady. Before we met Nick, Brady tried to attack cars and bicycles, he tried to nip at strangers (unfortunately with some success), and he always seemed to be planning his escape. He ate my chair. Walking him became such a nightmare that we hoped that the streets would be vacant. (Luckily, the few times he escaped, the streets were mostly vacant - maybe they saw him coming!) After working with Nick, walking Brady is now a pleasure. He is uninterested in cars and bikes, warms up to strangers very quickly, and comes when called. Brady has become a friendly member of the family. Sure, he still has a mischievous streak, but Brady is now a happy well-adjusted member of our family. Thanks again Nick.

Art and Donna Williams

When my boxer Jayda suddenly became extremely aggressive with my other boxer Dakota, I tried absolutely everything I could. I read up on their behaviour on the internet, tried sound aversion and I even went to a large chain store to ask if they could help me train her and was told that "they don't deal with aggression". I found Nick on the internet and started to read the testimonials from other clients. I was very skeptical when I read some of them stating that they noticed a difference in their dogs from the first week. I reached out to Nick and he arranged to come and meet Tyler, myself and our dogs. I was on the verge of thinking I would have to give on of them up but Nick assured me that he could help us. It was an amazing 8 weeks that followed, and yes it started from the very first week! Our dogs are well behaved, they listen to us and they have now become happier dogs themselves. Our friends and family are in awe of the transformation that they have made. Nick did a wonderful job and we look forward to starting the girls up again in the spring for advanced classes.

Thank you very much,
Angela, Tyler, Jayda & Dakota

I needed some help with my very energetic one-year-old, Kia. Being a German Shepherd, she was super-hyper, something even our daily walks didn't seem to quell. She thoroughly enjoyed throwing all of her 70lbs at everyone; jumping and nipping constantly! Now, amazingly, she listens to the commands Nick has taught me through the Basic Obedience program. Life is so much easier! THIS is the beautiful dog I had only caught glimpses of before Nick came into our lives! I look forward to the future with my new girl and I know she will only get better with time! Thanks so much for everything and I hope to keep in touch!

Margie & Kia

We called Nick Howchuk because we needed help with our 8 month old Samoyed, Sampson. There were a number of behaviours that we needed to address.

After an informative consultation, we decided to enroll Sampson in Nick's 8 week Obedience Program. We can honestly say that we noticed a difference immediately after the first lesson. Progress continued steadily thereafter.

Nick provided us with helpful hints and training techniques which enabled us to extinguish Sampson's undesirable behaviours. Nick listened to our concerns and he zoned in on what we needed to address.

Now, Sampson is a very obedient and well trained dog, thanks to Nick Howchuk.

Lori, Steve, Tyler, and Sampson

I am very happy with the services you provided to Rogan & I. Your methods of training was exactly what I was looking for, and your tips on how to stop some of the bad behaviour worked like a charm. With your techniques & encouragement I have the best dog I could have asked for and look forward to continuing our training in the near future.

Cheryl :)

Hi Nick

Hi Nick it is Lauren and Ben. We just want to let you know that the dogs are doing great and we all miss you guys!!! Thanks for doing such a great job with the dogs!!!

Lauren Ben Baya China Mini