DogPACT Agility Testimonials
Margaret Petracca and Kesha Terry has opened my
eyes to SO MUCH concerning agility and my 4-legged teammate!
When I first entered into the sport of agility with my All-American
dog, Kesha, I found myself becoming more and more frustrated
because she just didn't "catch on" fast enough for
my agenda. If we didn't qualify or place at a trial, I was
miserable and very disappointed in myself and my dog. I constantly
compared myself to all my friends, who always seemed to be
doing so much better than me. And agility stopped being fun.
Thanks to Terry Long and her positive approach to agility
training, I realized that my frustrations, my unreasonable
expectations, and even my negative body language, were helping
to "shut down" my sensitive dog, who was trying
her very best to please me. If agility wasn't fun for me during
that time, what must it have been like for poor Kesha?
Terry also helped me to see agility as a team sport with my
four-legged partner. 99.9% of the mistakes made on the field
were my mistakes, mainly because I wasn't communicating clearly
enough to my dog. With this new mind-set, along with Terry's
excellent training techniques, Kesha and I improved so much.
We have an awesome bond now, and we understand each other
out there! And, yes, the ribbons and titles followed, all
just at the right times! Nowadays, trials are fun
(with lots of work thrown in, too), with or without ribbons.
And the best prize of all is spending all that wonderful time
with my loyal and loving friend, Kesha. P.S. Well
we finally did it! Kesha and I earned our Novice Gambler’s
title yesterday! We placed first out of 20 dogs. I still can’t
believe that one. Thanks again for all your help. You stress
gamblers so much in class, and I know Kesha and I owe a lot
of our title to you!!!!
Margaret Dobos (Agility
mom to Kate and Vista) Terry Long has been instrumental
in training my daughter Kate to train her canine companions
in the sport of dog agility. Terry’s knowledge of canine
behavior and training techniques, as well as her ability to
communicate those techniques successfully, has given Kate
and her dogs an amazing foundation for a long and successful
partnership in the field of agility. Terry treats every dog/owner/handler
team with sensitivity toward the needs specifically of that
particular canine/human relationship. I honestly don't know
what we would do without Terry's expertise! P.S.
I just wanted to send a personal note to thank you for helping
Kate out this weekend. I think strategy is definitely her
weak suit (and unreasonable expectations for Vista too soon!)
so you really helped her at the trial on Sunday. Thanks for
being such a great trainer. . . the judge was so impressed
with them....and most of that is your direct involvement in
their relationship, bringing them together as a team. Kate
loves agility and that is really because you have set such
a great example.
Sue Nettleton and Toby
 Our entire relationship with Toby changed after consulting
Terry for some behavior problems. With those behavior problems
behind us, we decided to see how Toby did at agility. I had
absolutely no experience, or really much idea, of what agility
entailed. We just had the clicker training that we learned
from Terry when she worked with Toby privately. I just knew
that my dog needed more exercise, and we needed to do more
together. I was very nervous before our first class. I was
afraid it would be an embarrassing failure. No way! Terry
and the other members of the class made us feel most welcome.
We discovered a new problem – Toby was somewhat aggressive
toward the other dogs. I thought we would be asked to leave.
However, with her usual professionalism, Terry instructed
me on how to handle Toby’s misbehavior. It worked wonders.
We have been in the agility class for about a year. We both
look forward to Tuesday as our favorite night of the week.
Toby has been unofficially voted “most improved”
in the class. I am amazed at the way he can handle a course.
I am even more amazed that I am able to do this with him.
P.S. Toby ….
Maryanne Dell and Fly
I have to tell you, Nikki [Myers] is great. She's got a
good eye -- sees some really good places where people can
improve, many of them subtle. And she's given me some wonderful
tips.
For links to a variety of agility-related Web site, see
our Resources pages. |
Services: