Testimonials

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Hey Suzi,
Just wanted to say that hands down I am the happiest dog owner on the face of the planet at this very moment! I took Sadie to PetCo to get some stuff and I finally decided to test out our skills by taking her in with me... I have not had her in a place like that in months and she did Awesome!! Definitely still corrections, but holy crap for the most part she heeled and waited for me while I shopped. I actually had her sitting next to me while I picked out which treats to get. There were still moments when she wanted to see other dogs, etc, the usual distractions for a nose like hers, but holy crap.... I was already meaning to thank you for showing me how to be a better handler since I think on a daily basis about how I feel like I have a different dog than the one I started out with -- like some little lovely gremlin came in during the night and switched her out, but I know its just consistent work that has done this.
If you ever would like a testimonial please feel free to ask -- I am happy to write one (and I'll keep the profanity out of it :)

Anyway, see you next time,
Hope all is well
Isabel Tovar

We have always believed that our dog Yoda is amazing, but we knew she had developed some bad habits. We thought correcting those behavioral issues would take a long time, but, after just two lessons with Suzi at the Canine Psychology Center, those issues, which turned out to have been ours, have been corrected. Suzi is patient, but firm and has not really taught Yoda much. What she has done is to teach us to become true “pack leaders” and to know, finally, how to let Yoda be the dog she always wanted to be. Yoda has learned to respond to commands and to pay attention only to us, and she is well on her way to being Yoda. We, by the way, are well on our way to being the best parents a dog can have. And, we owe our new and better relationship to Suzi. We have tried other “trainers”, but no one holds a “leash” to Suzi.

Yoda is 6 and is living proof that an older dog can learn new “tricks” and we are also living proof that we are never too old to change our behavior. We only wish that we had met Suzi and known about her Canine Psychology Center when Yoda was a puppy and we were just pups ourselves…well, at least younger. But, better late than never.

Dear Suzi, (11/18/09)

Your YouTube tribute to all the dogs was really touching. It represents your lifetime commitment to these guys and their rehabilitation---letting them be able to live a good life with their families. THIS family will be FOREVER grateful! I don't think I'll ever make a perfect "leader", especially with obedience, but I have completely learned from you what it takes to keep on top of "Danny" and "JoJo". Just to see these guys play together is the best reward ever! Remember when we started? I was afraid to even be alone with them. We avoided becoming a rescue situation and became one where we love every day with the boys. We will always be thankful we found you to help us. Sorry to sound so "sappy", but it's from looking at your YouTube clip. And, it's Thanksgiving time!

Thank you so much,

Steve & Susan VanDeMark and 'the pack'

"Danny" "JoJo"

I wanted to write to thank you for all that you have done for both 'Akila' and I. She is a different dog since she went through the board and train, as well as the private and group lessons. I can actually go on a walk without being pulled the entire way. Not to mention, 'Akila' is no longer a counter surfer. :) You have taught me how to be more confident and have shown me how simple it can be to help a dog learn good manners and the right behaviors. (I've learned the right behavior as well.) As a result of the training, I feel as though I've gained more pleasure in the ownership and companionship with my dog.

Bailey family Jack Russell Terriers that have been trained at CPC - From Left to Right: 'Gunnar' 'Woody' 'Wylie' 'Blue' 'Bolt'

Suzi and the Canine Psychology Center have been a god-send to us. We have sent 4 of our Jack Russell terriers to the board and train program, along with our daughter's Rhodesian Ridgeback. In return, we now have knowledge of how to handle our dogs and our dogs actually respond and are well-behaved. As with any training program, we and our dogs need to keep working and practicing to maintain and advance their progress in obedience (along with ourselves knowing how to maintain a well-behaved dog). We have just started group classes which give us great exposure to other dogs and their owner/handlers. It is very enjoyable, plus we have a goal to work towards with all of our dogs to graduate from that program. Then, who knows...the sky's the limit! Thanks Suzi!!!

Pam and Todd Bailey

Our life has continued to change for the better since meeting & receiving training from Suzi! When I first called Suzi it was because of an aggression issue between 2 of our pack members. She instilled confidence in me from the first meeting and has continued to since. Suzi is extremely knowledgeable, insightful, honest and able to see the areas that are needing work within the pack leaders & members immediately. As a result of Suzi's training my husband and I have been able to create a successful pack of 4 dogs and work through challenges that others would have given up on a long time before. We are in the process of taking our 3rd dog through her training and look forward to every class! I recommend her to any dog owner that wants to do what is best, not only for themselves, but for their dogs. THANKS Suzi-you are the best blessing ever!

We are the proud owners of Lyndee, a 70lb Pit bull. When we first took her in we fell in love with her playful puppy spirit and high energy. As she got older we realized that she was becoming more and more aggressive toward everything. Bikers, pedestrians, birds, and other dogs were a distraction for her so much that she would run after any of these distractions aggressively, barking, and snarling the whole way.

We first contacted Suzi at The Canine Psychology Center and scheduled an evaluation. From the first few minutes of arriving we could see that Suzi demanded the respect of our unruly beast. After a quick demonstration of her talents and ability, Lyndee already seemed like a different dog. We signed up for the next class.

The first day with Lyndee, Suzi showed our almost wild dog who the pack leader was. With in a few minutes, Lyndee knew were she stood in Suzi’s pack and was sitting attentively at her side. She was a different dog only a few lessons later.

As training progressed, Lyndee became less and less distracted and more attentive to the pack leaders in her life. She has become so calm, relaxed and submissive that our young granddaughter has become a pack leader and Lyndee will now submit to a 40lb child.

When Lyndee graduated her off leash training we could not be more proud. It brought tears to our eyes watching the once aggressive dog that we feared we would not be able to keep, turn into such a kind, gentle, loving and affectionate canine. Several family members have taken notice to the dramatic difference in attitude and behavior.

As owners, we could not be happier or prouder of our BIG little girl. It has been 1 year since our first lesson and she continues to become more and more impressive. We can’t say enough about Suzi and her ability to take our little beast and train her into a loving, caring member of our family.

I would like to take this time to let you know how much I have enjoyed training 'Dillon' with you. You are extremely knowledgeable and explain concepts so that I understand them. You are very patient and have made our lessons constructive, but also enjoyable. Your sense of humor has made our lessons productive and rewarding. We have used other trainers, but have not experienced the individual attention that we have with you.

'Dillon' is turning into a wonderful and obedience little guy and I have you to thank. Your skills as a trainer are superior, but more importantly, your compassion and kindness makes you a very special person.

Thank you so much for your kindness when 'Maggie Mae' died. I hope that we continue to progress in our private and group lessons. Hopefully, in the very near future we will start 'Stella Blue' in puppy training with you.

October 20, 2004

Dear Suzi,

I have enjoyed working with you as we team up to train our family puppy, 'Kiowa'. As you know, the Shiba Inu as a breed have a reputation of being stubborn and are described as being more difficult to train than other breeds. At your suggestion we began early, at 11 or 12 weeks of age, and she has proven to be extraordinarily trainable and willing to do what is asked of her.

I appreciated your training packet and have incorporated many of your suggestions into our day to day family life. What I really enjoy is the individual attention we both get on a weekly basis; to be honest, being in the 'spotlight' has proven to be great motivation for me to make it a priority to with 'Kiowa' throughout the week, so neither of us look ill-prepared!

I look forward to our future training sessions and the incredible family pet we will enjoy as a result.

Sincerely,

Kiowa's family

(photo to come!)

September 22, 2003

Dear Suzi,

In July we brought 'Copper' to you for training, because he pulled my elderly mother, Teri, down on the ground after he saw another dog and started to chase him. He grew larger than we thought he would when we got him as a puppy and is now 36 lbs. Because of his strength we needed to have him trained for mom, so he wouldn't pull her down again. The main things we wanted you to concentrate training on was the pulling on the leash, barking, running back and forth in the house, chewing and learning to walk at mom's side when outside.

We signed up for the board and train program knowing we would have a lot of follow up training. It seemed to us that it was longer than two weeks, but when we picked up 'Copper' we were amazed at the difference in him! Because you had so many other dogs there at the same time and 'Copper' learned to be around other dogs without getting excited, that really helped him when we take him outside now.

He has stopped the pulling, barking, chewing, running back and forth and now walks with mom and obeys her command. It has been such a relief to us as a family that 'Copper' is trained and hopefully will never pull mom down and hurt her again. With your experience and expertise you have answered all our questions, helped us solve our problems and given us good advice.

We want to thank you for all the work you did with 'Copper' to make him a perfect companion. You are truly a professional and know how to handle both dogs and their owners! It has been a pleasure working with you and we recommend your services to anyone.

The Hara family

November 3, 2004

I write this letter in appreciation of my experience with the Canine Psychology Center. 'Dakota' is the first dog I have owned all on my own and what a learning experience it has been! Now, being 3 and a half years old he recently passed his off-leash basic obedience test after 7 months of training with CPC and I am now the very proud owner of this greatly trained dog. He was a very feisty puppy and had issues with aggression toward other dogs.

I am so happy with our training program with Suzi. 'Dakota' has really changed his attitude and demeanor. He has done great with other dogs and now looks to me for approval and guidance, rather than just becoming nasty and aggressive. Without Suzi's help I know I would be walking down the street or going for hikes avoiding many situations that now I am very confident about.

I have learned so much in the short time I have been in the basic obedience program. I am excited to keep making progress with my dog and very excited for when I can introduce another dog into my home and use everything I have learned for all my future companions.

Thank you very much, Suzi, for a wonderful experience!

Kristen and 'Dakota'

(Kristen and 'Dakota' also graduated Level 1 protection training on December 13, 2004 - see that photo on the 'graduates' page.)

October 20, 2004

We began with private lessons with Suzi in December of 2003 after we adopted a 4 month old Yellow Lab / Rhodesian Ridgeback named 'Sleet'. We found that our dog was fear aggressive, so with Suzi's help we have been able to work with him and understand why he is the way he is.

With Suzi's help 'Sleet' now knows all of the basic commands. We have come a very long way and 'Sleet' graduated the off-leash test in group class on September 19, 2005.

Thanks Suzi!

Jeff & Holly Olson

(Sadly, Holly Olson passed away only two months after graduation - she is dearly missed and can be seen on the 'lost loved ones' page.)

A few years ago, my daughter Liz gave me a 4-month old, mixed breed puppy for Mother’s Day. “Duke” came from a shelter with no background information. His adoption papers listed him as a black lab mix. As his appearance said black lab mixed with Am Staff or pit bull, I decided to check into dog training. After doing internet research and making quite a few phone calls, I found Suzi Schaefers. Neither my husband Ed nor I knew anything about dog psychology or training when we took Duke for an evaluation meeting with Suzi. We were both extremely impressed with Suzi and signed up for Basic Obedience Training. I have never regretted our decision.

Suzi didn’t really train Duke; she trained me. At each lesson she would demonstrate a new command and go over it with me until I understood how to work with Duke on it. She critiqued our progress and pointed out what needed more work. Somehow, she managed to do this without ever making me feel like the ignorant and bumbling beginner I was. After graduating from basic obedience, I continued to take Duke to group occasionally, and recently Duke and I began doing Advanced Obedience training.

As if giving me one dog wasn’t enough, shortly after giving me Duke, my daughter moved back home with her dog – also a black lab mix. When Liz moved out again after a few months, “Petey” stayed. I hate to imagine what life would be like at my house with these two fairly large (65-70 lbs), very energetic dogs without Suzi’s help.

Whenever I get comments on how well behaved my dogs are, my standard response is that it’s because “I have a great trainer.” I was impressed with Suzi from day one, and after working with her for over two years, my regard for her has only continued to increase.

Our miniature schnauzer, 'George', has never liked our mail carrier and has always barked at him. One day, George actually charged the man and I told my husband we either find a dog trainer to help us or the dog goes down; I WILL NOT have an aggressive dog! After 2 training sessions with Suzi, I sat outside with 'George' on a leash while our mail carrier walked up to our house. 'George' remained in a “sit-stay” position and did not move or bark. I told the mail carrier that 'George' was going to a special trainer who is a dog whisperer and he said he was very impressed. I have told several people about Suzi and I am a believer.

Dear Suzi, Considering the disposition of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed as an 'independent' thinker, I really wasn't sure what to expect when entering the training program with you. Needless to say, our dog, Kya, has responded with great enthusiasm and results thanks to your methods as well as to you personally. Her program has been invaluable in creating a strong bond between dog and family, as well as an education in the intricacies of the dog to human social interaction. We thank you for your time and will certainly recommend you to anyone looking for an outstanding dog trainer.

'Moe' is my 115 lb, four year old, male Rottweiler. He was very social as a puppy and was okay on a leash with some very basic commands. However, when he was about 18 months of age he had two knee surgeries that required eleven months as a couch potato, with restricted contact with other dogs. After his recovery he became very aggressive toward unknown dogs. I modified our walk schedule and took him out when the chances of running into other dogs was remote. Unfortunately, this only made his interactions with other dogs worse. And, since we didn't interact with other walkers/joggers for the most part, he also started being very protective when others were walking or jogging toward us. I knew I needed to work with him to change his behavior, but was afraid that no one would want to work with an 'aggressive' Rottie.

Suzi was very optimistic about modifying 'Moe's behavior. Each week Moe's behavior improved. We are still working diligently and are not even close to an off leash test, but I can now take him outside and know that I can control his impulse to dominate other dogs. Moe and I had been working with Suzi for three months when she decided we should attend our first group class. I was very nervous, but he very well in the group environment.

I am incredibly happy with our training experience and hope to be able to pass the off leash training at some point in the future.