See previous experiences of dog owners with the testimonials from Sit.Stay.Obey.
Julie Ferrer and “Chip”
Our dog Chip has had some major issues with anxiety for quite some time. As pet owners, we have only escalated much of his anxiety without knowing. Chip has always been a tail-down type dog when meeting new people. He barks at loud noises, company at the door, and chases pedestrians jogging down the street. Chip also does not have a great track record of appropriately meeting and accepting new dogs. Chip has his issues for sure!
R’kenia first visited our home to assess our damage! She believed that Chip had hope, but would need consistency and socialization. In the house she showed us how to train Chip to not react to the doorbell, where to go and stay when we open the front door, and how to focus his attention away during normally stimulating situations. On a walk, she showed us how to walk Chip in our control.
R’Kenia took Chip to her house for a week with the goal of socializing him. Over the course of the week, she was able to take him to the dog park, walking park, and out and about town. We were really impressed when we picked Chip up. We met at a local park to complete his training. He was able to pass by a jogger without paying the person much attention. This was BIG for Chip! He also calmly sniffed an unfamiliar dog. It was clear that R’kenia had gotten him used to many of the stimulants that once set him on edge.
We continue to work with Chip at the house. We have had to make a change in our own habits and make sure that we are being consistent with commands. Many people have made comments that Chip is a much happier dog. He is more willing to enjoy a head rub from strangers. When there are visitors in our home, we make him go to his bed and lay down. This has been a difficult task for Chip, but is getting easier and easier the more we practice. On a walk the other day, Chip completely ignored two feisty Chihuahuas that were barking their fool heads off at him. I was thrilled because these two dogs usually make Chip really ticked off. This time though, Chip just kept walking straight as if they weren’t even there. This would have never happened without R’Kenia’s help. Every day brings new challenges with Chip, but our family is now more equipped to deal with them and we know how to make him feel like we are in charge. He doesn’t have to be afraid.
Judy R. and “Gracie”
When I got my puppy I thought I had ruined my life! I cried every day. She was wild and stubborn and I did not know how to handle her. She was knocking me over when we walked and I was getting hurt a lot! Within one session, R’Kenia had her walking beautifully on her leash, sitting on command, leaving my cats alone and not eating out of my plate! She would ‘leave it’, stay, down, and off!
All in one session! We had a few more sessions to reinforce what she had learned.
R’Kenia taught me how to communicate with my very smart dog. She did it lovingly but firmly. When we see her at the dog park my dog goes crazy with excitement! She changed the relationship for us!
I cannot recommend her highly enough!
Rosemary and “Banjo”
I cannot say enough good things about R’Kenia Banks! I have worked with several dog trainers before her and there is really no comparison. R’Kenia is amazing! She is creative, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and caring about each individual dog and situation and is sure to follow up to see how each pet is doing. In our case, she has turned a frenetic, high energy, and not very obedient Jack Russell mix into a still energetic but calmer, cooler, and more collected one who has gotten much better about pulling, snapping, and being left alone. Even a short lesson with R’Kenia accomplished what seemed to us like miracles. Board and train has made a profound difference. In R’Kenia’s presence, our dog seems happy, focused, relaxed, and eager to respond.
R’Kenia has a wonderful touch both with people and with animals. I was especially impressed as I watched her skillfully and patiently help two three year old twin boys safely pet our dog and help him feel calm and comfortable in the process. She is an ideal person to help teach children and pets get to know one another. I look forward to working with R’Kenia in the future and recommend her highly to others.
Michele Williams and “Bear”
We adopted a 5 month old Golden Retriever that proved to be quite a handful. We were at our wits end and even considered finding him a new home. As a last ditch effort, we enlisted R’Kenia’s services. She did both in home training and she took our puppy to her home for a 2 week intensive training program. He came back to us a different puppy! He was much more obedient, calm and well behaved. I highly recommend R’Kenia…she is very professional and really knows how to handle difficult dogs. We call her the “dog whisperer”.