Canine Obedience Training at Hunt Club

SO MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN SHORT TIME....

Having recently fallen in love with a sweet adorable puppy, I had visions of having a well trained dog. I had experience with dogs and dog trainers so thought I could train this puppy myself. I had watched the training videos, read some instructions and knew that this was a very intelligent puppy. At first this puppy seemed to want to please me in every way, was catching on to Sit, Stay, Wait, Walk, etc. ever so quickly.



Soon she decided that the world was hers and she was boss. Treats worked somewhat, but she soon found that it was fun to ignore me, pull on the leash till I thought my shoulder was out of socket, play nipping at my hands and arms, jumping on my back, and generally being one bad behaved dog. I started buying Band Aids in bulk for little "nips".



I asked people I saw walking with well behaved dogs what their secret was and kept hearing: DORY HOFMANN at CANINE OBEDIENCE TRAINING at Hunt Club.



After just the first couple sessions of "WE TRAIN" I saw improvement.. It is a slow process but every time this puppy looks up at me, nuzzles into me I know it is well worth it.



Dory Hofmann has such patience and knowledge of dogs. Dory has dedicated herself to helping owners have the well behaved dogs we all want. She trains dog owners and comes up with such good and different ideas and solutions for problem areas.



I highly recommend Dory Hofmann (757-532-7688) at Canine Obedience Training at Hunt Club to everyone that has a dog.

I live in NY – over 500 miles away – and Dory was still able to help me with behavioral issues I am having with my dog. Prior to my phone consultation with Dory – I was upset and emotionally distraught about the problems I was experiencing with my dog.

Dory had me carefully provide a history of my dog’s problems and the circumstances surrounding his behavior changes. She listened, she asked questions, she explained her methods and reasons for trying different approaches. Dory was patient and understanding and it was so obvious that she was willing and wanting to help me in any way she could.

I can honestly say that after our in-depth discussion – I had an immediate sense of relief. I feel that Dory has armed me with a wealth of information that I can incorporate into my training and on-going relationship with my dog.

I only wish I lived closer to be able to attend her classes or at least find someone locally with Dory’s experience, knowledge and genuine passion and love for dogs.

Dory is what I like to refer to as the Angel for Dog owners everywhere! She certainly is my Angel! I brought in my 2 year old shih tzu, Spike, for Dory’s “We Train Program.” My BIGGEST concern was Spike’s constant house accidents and not going potty when he needed to and his jumping on people/furniture. Well from the very first meeting with Dory I immediately felt where have you been these past two years! I had been listening to other people, other so called trainers like @Pet Smart, and always ended up back to square one with my dog and very frustrated. I tried it all, potty pads, so called training classes at pet stores, and nothing worked. Believe you me I tried but I think my dog knew something was off. Dory worked with Spike for 12 days and I swear my dog is NOT the same dog I dropped off. I LOVE taking him for walks now. He goes potty when you tell him too. He doesn’t bark in the kennel except for the occasional fussy take me out to potty times. He LISTENS MY GOODNESS HE ACTUALLY LISTENS! When Dory showed me all Spike learned I was amazed at my dog. Spike was like look what I can do mommy! He sits, he stays, he comes, he lays down, he stays off the furniture, he goes potty on the leash! I was so nervous when she taught me what to keep working on but with practice it’s becoming second nature to us all. Spike is an amazing dog in training and I can’t wait to learn more with Dory. I highly recommend Dory and her Canine Obedience Training School. There is no other place like her, you will not regret your decision to become part of the family.

Hi Dorry!!



I have great news. Today Icis had a visit to the vet and she did not jump all over the place and try to bite everyone. She sat on the scale like a good dog and when the vet tech came in to see us she let her touch her and play with her. She fed her dog treats and licked her face and they just enjoyed each other. She did have an issue with the veterinarian, I think she went in too fast thinking since Icis was nice to the tech she could just jump right in. Icis was not comfortable with that, but she still let her get back in to touch her and examine her. They got her heart rate and examined her eyes and feet, which is something they were never able to do. I am so glad I came to your class. She has greatly improved, I have gotten her to the point where she can walk past people and it seems like she doesn’t even notice them, even though she does. I want to thank you for your help, she is at a place where she can at least go outside in the day when people are out and I don’t have to worry about her barking and making a scene for no reason. I can’t thank you enough. I do plan to come back for another session soon, I am just not sure when. Again, you are great at what you do, thank you.

After adopting my Baylor - a 2 year old American Bully - from the NSPCA on February 1st of this year, I discovered that he suffered from SEVERE separation anxiety. I immediately began researching trainers to help me overcome this problem as I was a virtual prisoner in my home. I found Canine Obedience Training at Hunt Club and Dory...I spoke with Dory by phone and she generously gave me some pointers to get me started! I chose to go with private lessons as Baylor had not been socialized to other dogs. I can honestly say I have a COMPLETELY different dog now - calm, attentive and I'm able to leave my home! Dory gave US - Baylor AND I - the skills and confidence we both needed to move forward successfully! After each weekly lesson, we knew more, we learned more and were more closely bonded! She's a FABULOUS teacher and what I love best about her is she teaches by POSITIVE reinforcement!! There's nothing negative about Dory or COT! If you're looking for a trainer, she's the best!

My little papillon, Hoagie, was a very timid little guy when I first brought him home. I have had labradors, a terrier and an aussie before, all with big self-esteems, but this was my first really small dog, and the first time I ever had a low self-esteem dog. I knew I needed help training him. My normal techniques just weren't going to work. I needed someone who had much more experience. I also needed someone who could help me train him not only just for the basics, but all the way up to Utility dog and beyond. In addition, he is going to be my medical service dog.



I was lucky to have found Dory and Canince Obedience Training! Dory talked to me about what I needed and spent the time to get to know my Hoagie. She helped me find alternate ways to teach him that would work with his personality. She helped me to introduce him to larger dogs (of which he was so afraid of, he would quake and hide behind me).



Now, halfway through his third level of classes (Beginner, Sub-novice and Novice), he is healing off lead, comes, sits, downs, stays and waits on hand signals. He is even performing several of his service dog's functions as well. I have only had him 6 months.



The real test of his training was this past weekend at the World of Pets Expo - a large exposition at the State Fairground in Maryland. He stayed on a loose lead the entire weekend while I judged the American Gerbil Society Show. He allowed unknown people to pet him (on command), and he heeled through very busy aisles with very large (and mostly unruly and untrained) dogs, all while remaining calm and well-behaved. He even saw his breeder, who admitted wishing she had not given him up now that she sees how well he has come out of his shell.



Thank you Dory and Canine Obedience Training! Without you, my little guy would be hiding whenever we go out. With your help, he is comfortable serving me as a service dog even when there is chaos surrounding me. I will continue to bring him to classes with you even once he is technically "graduated" Utility so that he can continue to be socialized to new and different dogs and situations.

I had just about given up hope that my son's dog was trainable. She is very smart, and at times, smarter than I am - very hard to admit. I tried some private lessons with Dory, and Roxy was responding to her, but not me -something about the tone in my voice not being strong enough - the dog thought I was a whimp. I had almost given up when Dory suggested that she do the training. Considering that this was Roxy's last chance before we looked for a new home for her, I said O.K. After six sessions, Roxy was to the point where she would respond to me the way she did to Dory. Unbelievable!?! I went home and showed the family - those of little faith - and she responded to them in the same way.

I can now take her for walks without fearing that she will drag me down the street, or embarrass me in other ways. She sits, lies down, waits for her command at the door of the house or her crate before exitting. She is actually very pleasant to have around the house!

Dory Hoffman knows what she is doing with these animals, and I highly recommend her to everyone. Her voice is magic!

I've been working with Dory for just a few months, and already I can see a change in my dog Bella. Bella(a lab mix) was a rescue from the SPCA with many issues. She was kicked out of 2 daycares and was always a problem at the dog park. When my husband deployed, her problems got extremely worse. She was out of control! --- lunging at me, starting fights with other dogs, picking fights with my other dog -- I had to do something. I found a few places where they take your dog for a month and "reform" it, but that doesn't help ME learn the skills to keep her behavior in check for the next 10+ years that I'd have to live with this animal! That may fix the dog in the short term, but not in the long term. We also tried in the past in-house training -- for a couple hundred dollars the guy only showed up twice and I was still left with an out of control beast!

Dory was highly recommended by several other trainers at Four Paws in Chesapeake. Because of Bella's dog aggression, it was best we started with private lessons. I did not trust her around other dogs or people. During the first private session, Bella demonstrated her aggression towards Dory! With just a few corrections from Dory, Bella quickly learned that aggression is no longer an opinion. With the skills I learned from Dory, I have gained trust and respect from Bella. And in turn, I'm beginning to trust and respect Bella.

After a few private sessions, Bella and I were progressing well so we were invited to a group class with other dogs where Bella stayed focused and obedient. Dory helped me see the little things we humans do that create problems. Since learning skills from Dory, I have the confidence that I know the right way to correct Bella so her aggression never escalates.

Although you might think the classes just teaches "sit"& " stay" it really teaches SO much more: control, respect, focus, and trust. And although Hunt Club is pretty far away for me and sometimes I need to take time off work, it is WELL worth it. I'm glad I didn't give up on Bella. With lessons and practice she is a new dog. She is a VERY good dog! - A sentence I never would have imagined saying a few months ago.

THANK YOU, DORY!!!!!!!!!!