My Trixie is an 8-year-old chocolate lab who has never been good with leash walking. I walk a lot myself and really want to take her with me, but she is much stronger than I am! Two friends of mine referred Dee, and from the minute she walked in the door, I knew we were going to have a good experience. Dee has a wonderful way with animals - and with Trixie she was gentle but firm. Her training methods are positive for both the dog and the human - and after three sessions I was actually able to walk for some distance without being dragged along! We continue to make good progress as we continue to implement the techniques Dee taught us both!
~ Patti C.
_________________________________________________________
I first met Dee Broton when I adopted a two year old foxhound mix from a local shelter. Buddy was as cute as a button, but lacked social graces. As a result of spending his puppy hood in a shelter he was clueless about interacting with his new environment. The mere pleasure of going for walks became a nightmare as Buddy would attack anything that entered our path. My little button became a nightmare. I began to wonder if I had made a mistake in adopting Buddy. I know that dogs are not disposable and I was committed to helping Buddy become a normal dog. I have read many dog training books, but I needed help and tools to employ these methods with Buddy. That’s when I met Dee our savior.
Dee’s experience in training dogs was evident from the first day she began working with Buddy and me. She was able to evaluate his problems and attributed his behavior to being an insecure dog that was trying to get some control of the new situations he was presented with. Dee explained that reactions such as Buddy’s can be the product of many different emotions in his case it was fear. This most likely resulted from his poor socialization as a pup or a past trauma which caused him pain. His aggression was fear based, as he thought that MOST humans and other dogs posed a treat to him. Dee began teaching Buddy, through slow exposure to people and other dogs, to condition him to experience good things when exposed to fearful stimulus. This was a slow process which required patience and daily practice. Buddy and I had weekly homework, and Dee provided me with books and articles which supported her techniques. Positive obedience training was also included in our weekly program. Dee was supportive and encouraging even when I was losing hope as I had never witnessed a dog behaving so poorly. Dee also networked with the shelter to inquire about Buddy’s past. Buddy was given a weighted backpack to help ground him and to assist him in releasing excess energy. Dee worked diligently with the both of us until we experienced success.
Buddy’s story is one of true success as he was featured on the front page of the New Jersey Herald walking nicely with his backpack on. Today, a year later Buddy receives compliments from strangers remarking how well behaved he is. Buddy and I think Dee is the best!!
~ Pat W.
