Mary, on the first day of dog obedience when Zoey and I arrived and saw all the dogs sitting so quietly and calm, I wondered if we would make it. Zoey came bounding out of the car, pulling on her leash with her tongue hanging out, ready to disrupt everyone and everything. She was a bundle of energy and I wondered if she would listen and follow commands. With your knowledge and understanding of dog behavior, Zoey soon learned how to follow instructions and started to become a better behaved dog. She is much better behaved out in public and is fun to take out.
Thanks again,
Anne Marie, Marty and Zoey
Cli
Stillwater Dog training has been nothing short of a miracle for my dogs. Before the training, both of my dogs were very defiant, destroyed items of mine, and I had difficulty housebreaking them. After basic training, I have seen a dramatic improvement in both dogs and I can now have them around other dogs and they are more social. They listen to commands without hesitation and hence are wonderful companions.
I can't thank you enough for the blessing you have been in my life. Through your guidance and support, I am more confident with my dogs."
Marla (Brooksville, FL)
My Lily and I thank you for all your training and guidance. I wanted to quit many, many times.
She was a very stubborn puppy, but your encouragement helped keep me going. I actually made
it all the way to your off leash class!!!!. She is still very stubborn, but so much better due to your
classes. I hope to take more of your classes in the future. Keep up the great work. All dogs need you.!!!
Janice
"Nalla came to me by my brother. He rescued her in North Carolina and then received orders for Iraq. She had been horribly abused and neglected and she was 15 months old. She had never even been on a leash. I went to Mary for help for a private lesson and evaluation. Mary saw she had no self esteem and had a lot of anxiety, but was a sweet dog. Mary recommended group classes. I was skeptical at first because Nalla was so uncontrollable. Thank God we went to group. Nalla has confidence now and has developed social skills. She is a Pit Bull. Now people look at her with awe to see a pit pull so well behaved. They are not afraid. I have always been an ambassador for the breed, but did not know if I could keep Nalla for my brother with her behavior. Thank you Mary, for helping us. Nalla is so happy now and so am I."
Kim,
Spring Hill, Florida
"Thank you Mary for showing us how to sucessfully make our dogs a real part of our family. As I write this I recall how many books I have read on our chosen breed- the Akita. There have been no breed authorities that will admit that you can peacefully keep more than one dog and one bitch of the Akita breed together- maybe-. We have proven these authorities wrong with the obedience training knowledge we have received from Stillwater Dog Training. We have kept 4 Akitas- two dogs and two bitches- along with up to 2 other mixed breeds at one time together IN our home for the past seven years that we have known, learned from, respected and befriended you . No doubt all our dogs are still Akita- dominant, alpha or "ichiban" (Japanese for number one dog) just as their breed is supposed to be, but with the gentle guidance we learned from Mary they have willingly accepted thier places in the hierarchy of our family and look to us humans as "ichiban". Without this valuable knowlege learned from Stillwater Dog Training we might not have been able to maintain the tranquil home we are now blessed with and will hope to continue in these footsteps over the years as more Akitas come into our family. Again -Thank you Mary and God Bless all you have done for people and their dogs here and all over our country."
Brenda Green
"I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful experience of your Basic Obedience class. I've attached a picture of a situation that could not have been possible before taking Oliver to school (he used to chase the pig & we had to keep him in a muzzle at all times). He has become a much more enjoyable and safe companion since starting obedience classes. We look forward to the Advanced class beginning next month!
"Take care,"
Jacque, David & Oliver
"Mary,
I want to thank you for the best gift anyone could give me and that is being able to keep my dog. Inside my 4 lb. Yorkie there was a 90 lb. monster. She would bite someone's leg with lightning speed. She had bitten most of my friends and grandkids and I was going to have give her up. Now, after training with you, she no longer bites and is a much happier dog because I am her master and not the other way around. Thank you again."
Diana, Brooksville.
"Thank you very much for giving Aura Lee and me expert guidance in obedience and basic training. Even in such a relatively short time, it has made a marked improvement in our dog/person relationship and is a source of pleasure for us both. We will continue to work with the tools you have given us and can hardly wait until the next class to re-up and have you expand our world!" Thank you, Sue & Aura Lee
We want to thank you for your outstanding professional training in Basic Obedience Class. Our little 5 month old Westie,
Lady Mackenzie, has received compliments from neighbors for her improved behavior as we go for our daily walks! She no longer chases every leaf, car, and dog that passes by. She walks like a little lady at our side and enjoys it ! We are so pleased with her progress in such a short time! Your example of kind, calm, and positive, yet firm interaction with your dogs has been a wonderful inspiration for us in working with Kenzie. Your techniques in basic training were simple to practice and your positive encouragement to us has been motivational. We look forward to attending advanced training with you in the near future. Thank you so much for your sincere interest in each of your "students".
God Bless,
Larry, Barbara, and Kenzie"
Spring Hill
"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience Bella and I had at your Basic Obedience Class. Bella improved greatly with commands, but just as important, she learned to socialize with other animals and people. We look forward to continuing to learn from you and plan to attend future classes. We are lucky to have you in our community and I will recommend you to all my friends!" Sue & Bella
"Mary, your unbridled passion and love for man's best friend, coupled with your burning desire to offer the best canine training anywhere has provided the community with one of the best trainer's in the world. I have had the opportunity to observe and experience many different approaches to canine training throughout the world and none surpass your unique ability. "A Stillwater trained dog" is the answer I give to people that constantly ask, "How did you train your dogs, they are so well behaved and sociable?" Mary, you have bettered the world of man and dog! Thanks for being you."
M. Cody, President, Nature Coast of Florida Dog Association.
"Thanks to the training my companion and I received at Stillwater, I can take him anywhere with the confidence of knowing he will walk quietly beside
me, not him taking me for a walk!
Thank you again for
being there!"
Marcie, Spring Hill
Mary Peter is a miracle worker in the canine field.
Jazzie is our dainty little red Dobie who was the most timid and shyest girl we have ever had. After a quick note to Mary, she assured me she could help her gain confidence and socialize her with people and other dogs. On the first day of classes, we arrived earlier than the others and Mary witnessed how fearful she was of everything. I wasn't sure we would make the 10:00 starting time. We did. Mary is so knowledgeable, caring, compassionate but most of all, she is a Master Trainer. She knows her stuff. Thanks to Mary, we graduated puppy class and hope to attend continuing ed. in the fall. Jazzie now plays with neighborhood dogs, is not fearful of people and is just the delight of our lives. Thank you so much Mary. You really made a difference.
Ann and Jazzie
Our lovable cuddly Chihuahua became a fearful, aggressive and uncontrollable monster whenever a stranger came to the house or crossed his path outside.
We took him to meet Mary, who is an amazing trainer and humanitarian.
As soon as she expertly fitted him with a gentle leader we noticed an immediate attitude adjustment. He looked relaxed and actually grateful that we decided to take over and not let him be the boss of our household.
He went on to complete basic obedience classes, where he also learned how to behave with others.
Gratefully, Marilyn, Ernie & Bert
As breeders of Anatolian Shepherds, we highly recommend Stillwater Dog
Training to those who want to have an obedient dog using a positive,
loving approach to training. Mary is highly professional,
knowledgeable and an expert in training dogs from puppies to adults.
We have brought 7 puppies and dogs through Mary’s classes over the
years with most moving through to the Intermediate Level. Every class
has been a wonderful experience full of fun, while at the same time
getting down to the serious business of teaching our dogs to follow
commands and socialize appropriately with other dogs and people. Thank
you Mary for your expertise in helping us to teach so many of our big,
independent-thinking guardian dogs to be obedient and mannerly members
of our family.
Henry and Holly Ballester
Ballesters's Double H Ranch
Bushnell, FL
Our experience with Stillwater has been nothing but the best. We recieved our puppy from a rescue and had nothing to go on but her age. We found extreme difficulty in training her, and her dominance issues. The Vet's told us she would be "small" at 80 lbs and we were terrified we would have a huge dog with no manners. We contacted Stillwater for dog training and after our beginner class our Abbi has made a complete 180 degrees!
We are so proud of her and her new behavior! We no longer fear that she is going to be an ill mannered big dog. We are already signed up for Intermediate Classes and cannot wait to start them.
With Mary's patience answering our endless questions and the help from the rest of the staff we have a loving member of our family that behaves herself! Thank you Stillwater Dog Training for helping us with Abbi, and we look forward to our next class!
Stephanie, Jonah, and Abbi
Since starting training with Mary and her staff at Stillwater Dog Training I have experienced fantastic changes in our Dice. He started off with a 'mostly out of control, do my own thing' attitude. Now, Dice is very pleasant to be around, comes when he is called (ok, most of the time) and will stay for his picture to be taken. We can leave him in the house, have food on the table etc, all without worry. And the UPS guys heart doesn't race quite as fast anymore. Most of all, he has become an amazing companion to our 6 yr old son with Autism. Dice would not be all that he is today without the training we received at Stillwater. The hard work, dedication, guidance, support and compassion provided by Mary and her staff cannot be put into words, it has to be experienced first hand. We have truly been blessed by the training provided by Stillwater and are looking forward to future classes.
Rhonda C
Spring Hill, FL
