Dom & Willow

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In the mid nineties, I was just getting out of dog training when the clicker training was just starting. I had spent several years as a helper for several local urban SAR groups here in Iowa, as well as a small amount of work with a FEMA group in Nebraska. I remember having doubts as I had never worked with the system, but it seemed reasonable. Groups folded, I moved on to other thing and priorities. Many years passed without a any dog, but eventually I ended up with 2 rescues in 20017, but was able to handle all the issues they presented.

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In Sept of this year I lost one, and in Oct I rescued young female border collie that had been abandoned at a shelter. Malnourished, unsocialized, and mentally shut down, we brought her home. She was afraid of literally everything, including roast beef. I was referred to you by someone I trust from my time in the SAR community, and in turn I was then referred by your website to Kari Marshall at Clicks for Canines. Over the last 2 months with her help, and your training system, I now have a mentally and physically healthy friend.

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While she still has trust issues with strangers, she has gone from threat based fear reactions to strangers, to interacting with them in a safe and healthy manner. She is starting to view new environments with active interest, instead of paralyzing fear, and strangers as positive things, not something that must to be driven off for her safety. Willow is about 14 months now, and it is quite likely if she would have been lucky enough to make it to a no kill shelter, she might not have left, she wasn't aggressive, she was scared.

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Thank you for developing this technique, for training others so well, and for making a difference. Kari is a testament to your organization, a validation of your processes, and proof that your work has been, and continues to be a success.

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Thank you,
Dom

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