'Bouquets 'from our clients
“We are very fortunate at Canines with a Cause, to count on the help of Cheryl Smith and Forever Friends Dog Training Center. Since our organization does not have a wheelchair accessible training hall, we must rely on the support from other businesses or facilities that can offer it to us. When a particular community center we used in the past for group training sessions became too small to accommodate the number of puppy raisers and dogs in training with our program, Cheryl Smith and Forever Friends Dog Training Center came to the rescue by allowing us to have access to their training center at no cost to our charity. All at CWAC are very grateful for their kindness and wish to share with others what may go behind the scenes at times unknown to many but that is so important to us and allows us to continue our work with training and placing service dogs in the community. Thank you, Cheryl!” --- Miriam Mas – Founder of Canines with a Cause
"We had our first 'test' at an agility trial this weekend. I thought you might like to hear the story - success is always rewarding. Since first meeting with Cheryl at Forever Friends late fall, Chica and I have been working on a de-arousal program. We started at home - distractions being deer, squirrel, ATV, anything that got her attention and I established my scale for gentle jaws. I've continued to use her cot (with her sardines as reward) as a place for her to be safe and relaxed and a place where she can watch the action around her without reacting. I extended the areas to work her - Home Depot with dog friends she knows, Pet Value with strange people and dogs, worked her by a horse and all this lead up to being 10' away from a cage of kittens at Pet Value (the owners have been really supportive). That was two weeks ago. I've also been working in agility with another reactive border collie and that has paid off as well. The first test at an agility trial happened yesterday. Although I was really tempted to enter her in steeplechase, the first class of the day, in which she excels, I didn't. Instead I worked her on her cot in different areas of the arena. I also pretended that we were entering the third event by doing our pre-event warm-up, took her to the in gate and tested her jaws. She was at about a 3 and I worked her to 0.Then I walked away from the gate and took her for a play. I also incorporated "rest" times for her by leaving her in the car instead of in her crate inside the arena. I entered her in 2 events - at the start line she was a 0 in both. (I can't tell you how pleased I am with having an objective scale for measurement. The added bonus to her being relaxed is that I was which comes around to helping her relax, then I relax - well, you get the picture.) I had a friend video tape our second run and it is obvious that we are both relaxed, that she is attentive, not distracted by anything outside the ring.The highest she got on the scale was a 4 and that was one time time when I was working her by the in gate of an advanced event, fairly close to where the dogs were preparing to enter the ring. One handler brought her toller right in front of us. Tollers being an object of attention for Chica, I worked her very simply and rewarded often. She started at a 4 and then I worked her lower. It just felt wonderful to know that I have this tool!! I can't thank you enough for this great start to our comeback. On to the next test in April, a seminar with some dogs she won't know and some who are familiar. Thanks again." Lynda
" My husband and I initially were not convinced about obedience training - during our childhood, our pets seemed to manage well enough without formal training classes. After some troublesome experiences recently with our dog, I now understand the difference: years ago, when a child ran to his parents saying a dog scared him, they would tell the child to stop teasing the dog. These days, people will say to get rid of the dog, it's dangerous... A dog's natural reaction to fearful stimulus could cost the dog his life, and certainly stiff fines for the owners. The stakes are higher today, and we realized that we needed to manage our dog's reactions. Not only do we understand the signs now, but we have learned techniques which have dramatically improved our dog's reaction to stimulus he was so afraid of. We have a happier, calmer dog, and we thank staff of Forever Friends for such worthwhile education. And it was fun too!"
Carla Borden
"I've taken a series of classes with Forever Friends, and they have greatly improved my ability to understand my pet, and to train him in a consistent, positive manner. Their approach to 'train the trainer' strengthens the results, while providing a fun and social environment we thoroughly enjoy. The instructors are great!".
cmbordeleau@rogers.com
"Humane, reasonable method of teaching, and helpful and caring staff."
N. Brandsma
"While we have had only a few lessons, I must tell you that it has been immensely helpful in our attempts to understand Jasper and to reverse the cycle of miscommunication. Our first family pet has been a bit of a puzzle to us, but I feel we have really made a break-through with your guidance."
Angie Forte
" Well, there can only be Forever Friends Dog Training Centre as Best Dog Obedience School in Ottawa! The staff are educated, aware and courteous, and invest tremendous effort to educate the owners and their pets, using positive reinforcement and humane training methods. I’ve brought my dog to the school many times and I’m happy to say I have a Yorkie that knows 22 commands!! Who said little dogs couldn’t be trained?? I know staff of Forever Friends do a lot of volunteer and charitable effort as well, and should be rewarded for such dedication to having happy families with well mannered pets. They’re the best! "
Christine Beaulieu
"The instructors are very friendly, helpful and approachable."
Dylan Cashion
"Gives an excellent understanding of canine behaviour and how that influences training."
T. Williams
" Forever Friends Dog Training Centre is one of the few training facilities that I am comfortable in recommending to dog owners. The Centre has trainers who have extraordinary teaching and personal skills and who embrace positive, motivational training techniques. While every trainer at the school is top notch, the Centre is very fortunate to have Cheryl Smith. Ms. Smith is renowned throughout North America for her exceptional skills as a behaviourist, teacher, trainer, lecturer and author. Ian Dunbar calls her one of the “top trainers”. She is also recognized by the courts as an expert witness on dog behaviour. The trainers at Forever Friends Dog Training Centre meet or exceed all of the criteria that the National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs considers essential for a good trainer. I am pleased to vote for Forever Friends Dog Training Centre (and all of its trainers) as Ottawa’s best dog training school ".
Candice O’Connell, Chairperson, National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs
"Very professional staff, knowledgeable with personal experience."
J. Shank
"I have recommended your classes to dog owners I work with who have similar problems with their dogs, because of the positive results I have had."
Sylvia Beaufort
"Clear instructions, outstanding instructor and assistant... Great training guides."
A Forth
"Before we adopted Wyatt, I did a fair bit of research. I thought it would be helpful to speak with trainers to see if they had ever worked with dogs who had a similar background to Wyatt's. (I received) advice not to adopt Wyatt, that he would never be able to learn anything and that we should 'just leave him where he is'. It was more than a little discouraging. My next step was to approach the Humane Society to see if they could recommend another trainer. Without hesitating, they handed me a Forever Friends business card and said that Cheryl Smith would be able to help us. We met with Cheryl the week before we brought Wyatt home. She was encouraging and very helpful and we walked away with a good idea of what we were taking on. We know Wyatt will never be a boisterous, outgoing Golden Retriever, but he is miles ahead of where he was when we first brought him home. Five months ago, his face was filled with despair and fear. Now, everyday, we see moments of pure joy! We know we've found the best group of people to help us with Wyatt!"
Lucie Dawson
"I think people need to realize they need to work faithfully with their dog in order for both parties to gain the most they can from the classes. The instructors provide a great atmosphere for both puppy and owner to learn and develop; very practical examples and advice given!"
C Aboud
"Informative, emphasizing the importance of repetition. Very well done! We've already recommended your classes - you guys are awesome. When we can, we'll be back again and again!"
Dina and James
"You care and instruct for the whole family (people and dogs). You instruct for family life not just for competition together."
N. Conlin
"I first adopted my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Nailah, in September of 2005. Her adoption agreement required obedience training. I sifted through the yellow pages and found what seemed like a reputable school with many endorsements so I attended their puppy class. Their training methods were "old school" as we were taught to correct our puppies with small leash "pops" and to praise them if they performed a command correctly. I accepted this technique because it didn't seem to be hurting the dogs. In their "Intro to Obedience" course, we were required to put either a slip or pinch collar on our dogs. I attended two or three classes before I realized that their training methods were, what I considered, to be abusive. Nailah and I were walking in line around the classroom with all the other dogs and, every so often, Nailah would lunge towards another dog in anticipation of playing with them. She was still, of course, a puppy. The instructor got so upset with this behaviour that he took her leash and yanked on it so hard that he broke the brand new slip collar I had bought for her only an hour before the class. I immediately left the class, never to return. I recounted the story to friends and they immediately recommended "Forever Friends". The best thing I could have ever done for my dog was to call and book our first course with "Forever Friends". I was relieved to learn that this school's methods never used intimidation, force or any negative reinforcements. .... I found that Nailah was now excited to go to school and loved her training sessions. Forever Friends has made me a firm believer in positive reinforcement training and that hurting your dog in the name of "training" is totally unnecessary. If you ever get the feeling that your dog is getting hurt by a trainer, don't be afraid to stand up for your dog and pull them out of that class. There is something better out there and it's called "Forever Friends".
K. Arnold
"Your instructors gave concise, effective instructions. The facility has a good space for training. The classes made me feel more confident in training our dog."
Kelly
" I had dreadful experience with another trainer in the city. The dogs were taught using force, and complied by submission, even urinating in what I can only describe as fear of the 'trainers'. I couldn't sleep at night, as I began to see other fear-type behaviours from my pet. I quickly moved on to a method which has been proven successful to me. My comment is to encourage owners to visit the training establishment before joining, trust their intuition, and stay away from forceful methods of training. My pet and I have bonded using methods encouraged by Forever Friends."
CB (name withheld)
"The classes are very informative, very enjoyable to attend and I would recommend Forever Friends Dog Training School to anyone!"
Stephan Benoit
"Please add my vote for the Forever Friends Dog Training Centre as the best dog training school in Ottawa. Their methods are simple, kind, extremely effective and 'dog centred' (ie, their knowledge of dog behaviour is superior). 'Gentle', 'gotcha' and 'off' (don't touch/don't eat) are three indispensable commands they teach. (I could write a book!) If it weren't for Cheryl Smith and her trainers, I would have had to return my (now amazing) mini schnauzer Shadow to the breeder, such were the difficulties we initially experienced with his behaviour. Now he is gentle, sweet, obedient (most of the time) and we enjoy him tremendously ."
Judi Lian
" I just wanted to thank you for the help you and your assistants are giving me with my puppy, Rosa. Your instructions are clear, your patience is inspiring, and I am grateful for the personal attention. Rosa is a handful and would benefit from more socialization, as she only sees other people and dogs during the Saturday morning puppy class so is very distracted and excited. We live in the country, and I work from home, so she is not left alone, but I am trying to find ways for her to interact with other people and dogs, so she is better socialized. However, she is learning quickly, and every week following the class, she is more fun and more relaxed at home.Thanks again."
D. Clark
"Very professional and very helpful. One-on-one time was always available."
K. Huizinga
"The instructors really knew their stuff and handled the dogs easily; the experience was all positive for the dog."
K deLanux
"I have learned to have faith in my dog's ability to correct certain behaviour with my help. (He) has learned more boundaries since he joined F.F."
C. Hale
“The instructor and assistants were great. We are very pleased and look forward to Level 1.”
Brendan Toniloa
“Kind, gentle manner of dealing with dogs, always include all dogs in class, positive reinforcements.”
Susan & Brian
“Very positive experience - instructors were very knowledgeable, friendly and gave great pointers!”
Angela Pontone
