Testimonials
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Having a new puppy is challenging, especially our rambunctious Cairn Terrier. Luckily, Zen Dog Training came to our rescue! They taught us to understand our puppy's behavior, how to manage it and helped us through challenging issues such as biting and pulling on the leash. Amazingly, we saw progress after only one class.
The teaching style at Zen Dog Training is fantastic; our teacher was personable, approachable and made doggy language accessible. Not only that, but classes were fun and (our dog) Buzz Lightyear loved them! Additionally, the socialization that Buzz received during group classes were invaluable. Thanks to Zen Dog Training, we have a well-mannered dog that is a pleasure to be around! Even my parents like him!
Martha, Somerville, MA
Buzz Lightyear, 6-month old Cairn Terrier
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When we first started training Maggie it was impossible to get her to walk on a leash without pulling continuously. After just one week of practicing Zen Dog’s method of loose leash walking we were able to walk for blocks and blocks without a single pull!
The methods are easy to implement and amazingly effective. Plus, our trainers patience and great sense of humor make him a pleasure to work with. While Maggie will always be a zany and independent dog, Gordon's patience, good humor, and effective techniques made it possible for us all to live in harmony. Thanks so much!!
Sonja, Cambridge, MA
Maggie, 4-month old Lakeland Terrier
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I just wanted to write you and tell you how much we appreciate your coming out to help us with our little Cassie. I CANNOT believe how different she is -- it is a total transformation!
She is like a new dog, and we are SO grateful to you -- and to my friend who led me to you and your gentle methods of helping Cassie become a good citizen. I have to be honest, it was hard for me to love her before because I felt to at so odds with her, and now that has completely changed.
Suzy Axelson, Reading, MA
Cassie, 3-month old Yellow Lab
Cassie, 3-month old Yellow Lab
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I know you said that there isn't a silver bullet for this type of behavioral problem, but four days after your visit, Ernie actually listens to us when we tell him to stop! Thank you for taking the time to understand his unique personality. It's so frustrating when you feel outsmarted by your dog, but with your help, we've finally won! I can't thank you enough.
Beth Monaghan, Brookline, MA
Ernie, 3-year old French Bulldog
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Zen Dog Training is amazing! They helped my puppy Dylan with his stubborn reluctancy to housebreaking. Our trainer Gordon was incredibly knowledgeable, easygoing and kind. He worked with not only me and the puppy but our whole family to understand the keys to communicating with and teaching our animals. He came to our house to take into account the environment, and explained techniques I had learned but we just weren't following, and taught us ways to implement them in a fashion that worked with our house, lifestyle and schedule. After about two weeks we saw a real change in Dylan, and in a few months he was completely housebroken.
Dylan is FULLY housebroken now! We couldn't have done it without you. Zen Dog Training is the best in the business. Their way of teaching, working with and communicating with animals is amazingly successful. I recommend them to anyone I know!
Kristen, Concord, MA
Dylan, 2-year old Bichon Frise
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Since his arrival as a puppy, our now almost two-year-old cocker spaniel "Gogo" had run the house. He was impossible to walk on a leash and would not respond to any directives. The children were a bit intimidated by his energy and frustrated that he was destroying their toys. He most definitely lived up to his name in that he was a bundle of never ending energy -- Gogo was always going!
Zen Dog Training was a godsend!
They worked with the entire family at our home to help teach us the skills necessary to deal with Gogo’s boundless energy. Our trainer Gordon provided clear instructions verbally and in writing on the various training techniques he was using with Gogo, and demonstrated them repeatedly so that we could follow along. Gordon was particularly skilled in dealing with all of our children. He gave them ample time to practice the newly acquired techniques and patiently watched them as they mastered the skills. They were mesmerized with his gentleness and became fully invested in the training process.
Gordon brings with him a wealth of information and an obvious love of animals. His avoidance of punitive approaches was one of the characteristics that we most liked in him. He helped us see that even in a house with three kids and various romps in the yard Gogo was still not getting enough stimulation. He was patient and thoughtful in his attempts to teach the children how to best train Gogo and how to use his boundless energy in a way that the family could enjoy him more. Presently, Gogo is a calmer and more relaxed dog and the kids seem more in control in their interactions with him.
Thank you Gordon (the True Dog Whisperer)!!
Dr. Castro, Dedham, MA
Gogo, 2-year old Cocker Spaniel
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Potter is doing so well that often after just ONE warning, he just lies down and stops barking! It feels great to be able to have friends over peacefully. You are my hero, Gordon! I have told everyone about you!
Plus, he now walks on a loose leash! We found it especially helpful how he got my boyfriend and I on the same page.
Thank you Zen Dog for all your help!
Jenna, Somerville, MA
Potter, 5-year old Yellow Lab
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I just wanted to let you know that....YOU ARE OUR HERO! We just returned from a week visiting Caleb's parents. On our last visit, Noodle barked all night and all day. This past visit he hardly make a peep & they were stunned by how well behaved he was.... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! We are so happy!
Jen & Caleb, Cambridge, MA
Noodle, 3-year old Cockapoo
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Gordon is a terrific dog trainer! His methods are completely logical, totally gentle, and very easy to put into practice. I thought I knew how to communicate effectively with dogs but Gordon showed me how much better I could be!
Scott, Portland, ME
Lola, 4-year old Portuguese Water Dog
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Thank God for you! Lucy doesn't bark anymore...it was like a miracle! Once again I can talk on the phone and have guests over without her barking ruining the conversations and visits.
All my friends "hated" Lucy and now they all love her...she's so darn cute! I do plan on having you over to teach us some tricks....we'll be in touch in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again!
Dorothea Clinton, Cambridge, MA
Lucy, 2-year old Yorkshire Terrier
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We are thrilled!
I'm SO impressed that we can see such a huge difference in only 48 hours! Even our friends have noticed the difference! they were great! The exercises they taught us were easy to understand (even for 11 year old son) and the flow chart was a huge help! Last week I was worried about how things were working out with our new dog - just one afternoon with Zen Dog Training and we are so happy with our dog now!
Thank you Zen Dog!
Victoria (and family), Peabody, MA
Brady 4-month old yellow Lab
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We thought "Snapper" sounded cute when we named him, but as an 85-pound 6-year old high-energy black lab mix with an aggressive streak - not so cute. In fact, while he is truly a part of our family, his large size, loud bark, and, shall we say, enthusiasm had caused several friends & family members to hesitate before they agreed to spend time at our house. "Let's meet at the coffee shop down the street," they'd say. Aside from those issues, going for walks with Snapper required brute strength to cope with his pulling & lunging. And that's without mentioning his severe "table-surfing" problem.
No, we don't think we were negligent dog owners; we had read a number of books, gone to a series of obedience classes, and did our best to implement the often-contradictory advice we got from those various sources. However, we were resistant to working with a dog trainer one-on-one in our home. We thought it would be too expensive and that we could learn what we needed from books. Finally, however, we got to the point when, tired of the strained shoulders from our walks and the fear Snapper instilled in our houseguest's, we gave Gordon at Zen Dog a call.
To our pleasant surprise, his fee was very reasonable, and in short order he put us on track toward solving Snapper's most problematic behaviors. Courteous, organized, and nonjudgmental, Gordon met with us to discuss the canine issues of greatest concern & gave us clear & concrete advice on the spot about how to address those behaviors. Shortly thereafter, Gordon returned to our home with a behavior plan that further detailed the reasons for Snapper's behaviors as well as additional strategies.
In less than 2 weeks following our consultation with Zen Dog, Snapper is a changed dog. He has learned to sit politely when guests enter our house, and we even got several compliments about how good a host Snapper was at a party we had recently. Snapper now walks with a slack leash, and our arms are very appreciative of the big part Gordon played in that change.
The positive change in Snapper (and us) is a testament to Gordon's insight, patience, and clear guidance. He clearly dispelled the notion that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Our only regret is that we didn't contact him sooner!
Dr. McCormick and Mel, Jamaica Plains, MA
Snapper, 6-year old Black Lab Mix
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Zen Dog Training was wonderful for both our puppy and the whole family. Gordon Fontaine is a talented and effective trainer as well as being warm, friendly and very easy to work with. Having our dog trained in our own home, at our own convenience, and with the participation of the whole family, was a great experience.
I would recommend Zen Dog Training to anyone looking for sound, positive and fun solutions and in the often frustrating world of dog training.
Sincerely,
Marj Malpiede, Needham, MA
Gordie, 5-month old Boston Terrier
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Dear Zen Dog Training,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your help with Coco & Noir. Being a first time dog owner it started out has a difficult task and turned into a pleasurable experience. We really liked the way you taught with positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Using rewards to train has been a lot of fun and very quick. House training which I thought was going to be impossible has worked out great! I’ll be glad to recommend you to any of my friends in need of help.
Thanks so much,
Ellie and Frank Kent, Dedham, MA
Coco and Noir, 6-month old Miniature Poodles
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I wanted to write and let you know about a great experience we had. We had planned to sign Rascal up for clicker training this coming March. I had my class picked out, my money set aside...I was finally ready! Then a friend told me about Zen Dog Training. After speaking to him on the phone I was impressed enough to switch gears and give him a shot. He comes to the house, I really liked that. I wanted him to see the dogs and us in our natural environment and this way he could also more easily incorporate the kids in with the training. He is great!
He is a certified trainer from the San Francisco SPCA in positive reinforcement techniques and clicker training. He was useful in helping us to address Rascal's problem behavior (incessant barking!), providing us with support, encouragement and suggestions and in teaching us general training techniques as well as giving us some fun things to do with the dogs. He armed us with resources and has provided lots of follow up.
Beth, Medford, MA
Rascal, 2-year old terrier mix
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We take Harry everywhere!
He is the social butterfly wherever we go and we owe you a huge thanks for that. He's great with kids, senior citizens (people have even asked my daughter if he's been trained to visit rest homes) and he's fantastic with other dogs. He goes to the dog park and the lake and restaurants and stores with us all the time. He can off leash and he stays right next to us. He can even stop mid-play at the park if I ask him to - it's amazing!
People compliment us all the time on how well behaved he is-- we love it and you should too. Which is all pretty good behavior for a dog who slept through his first class ever.
Thanks,
Satisfied Zen Dog Training Customer
