ADOG (Dog Obedience Training - Atlanta

When my dog and I arrived the first night of class I couldn't even get him in the door without hysterics and barking and carrying on. The instructor told me to keep him as calm as possible and when the class was ready to start she came and got us. She also asked if she could use a water spray bottle on him and I agreed as I was desperate. We used it just a few times and it worked very well. The transformation from that first class to the last class is beyond belief. We walk in calmly with no barking and even can work some without holding the leash. The last class he was zig-zagging between my legs as a trick. He no longer drags me down the street on walks and we can walk up to and pass other people and dogs calmly. I can now take him out in public and feel confident of his behavior. I'm so glad that Amy and the other 2 instructors stuck with me and encouraged me and I can't be more grateful. It was a lot of hard and consistent work on my part with my dog but the instructor taught me how to work with him and what to expect from him. People now tell me that he's a totally different dog. Indeed I think he is calmer because I am more secure in working with him. Thanks again for absolutely changing my relationship with my dog for the better! ~ Melissa C, Pet Manners Student

Lynne was wonderful! Every time I felt like giving up she was there to literally take the reins or should I say lead and help me out. I have been to two other obedience classes and was not looking forward to another class. Right from the start DOGWOOD was different. With one instructor and two assistants it almost felt as if we were having private classes. There was no comparison in the instructors at DOGWOOD versus other classes/facilities that I had previously attended. I was not looking forward to taking the class but with a 120lb Bernese Mountain Dog was is outrageous strong I had no choice. After the first class I found myself excited and enjoying being with my dog and teaching him new tricks and the funny thing I was learning just as much as he was. I am looking forward to participating in future classes. Thank you DOGWOOD for providing a top notch facility. ~ E Fletcher, Beginner (CGC) Student

Class fixed almost all of the problems I was having with my dog including things that they didn't go over. I saw an over all behavior change in my dog. Instructors were very nice and understanding. They took time to answer all of my questions and individual doggie issues. I loved that the class was indoors. I highly recommend this class to owners who are frustrated with their pet. I feel like I have a new dog! ~ M Burdis, Pet Manners Student

By the way Amy was wonderful! Jimmy and I loved coming to class, and are looking forward to the next session. Amy really knew how to make it fun, and we learned a lot in the process. Jimmy and I came a long way! Jimmy loves his stuffed animal from Graduation. This morning when he got out of his crate he went to get it immediately and has been enjoying it all morning. ~ P Jafferis and Jimmy, Pet Manners Student

I wanted to say that the Practical Skills class was the most fun ever and I am so gratified that we get to continue in this next session. The instructor is awesome and I have learned so much and feel that I am better able to successfully work with my dog after this experience! I have loved every minute of this class.
Thank you for your venue that allows Tater and me to accomplish more than I ever have with a dog. Although I know I am the one who needed > the most training. My instructors in the last session were just wonderful. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with our experiences at you facility. Thanks again. ~ B Wall, Practical Skills Student

I am enrolled in Novice I (Charlie) and Novice II (Bailey). All of the instructors for these classes do an excellent job and I truly appreciate their depth of experience! Each instructor's style is different, which is wonderful - it allows the handler and dog to learn via various suggested methods. Through learning's in Novice II, I have some ideas for things try and also improve upon for the second dog coming up in Novice I.
I cannot comment strongly enough about the quality of training and positive results achieved through ADOG. THANK YOU! ~ K Bryant, Novice I & Novice II Student

My main reason for enrolling in the CGC class was to improve my dog's socialization skills. The instructors are very knowledgeable and have really helped our dog control himself around other dogs and be sociable. I am proud of what my dog has learned, and he now comes with me to do home visits for potential adoptive families. ~ K Bryant, Beginner (CGC) Student 3/08

Had my first class last night & LOVED it. I was pleasantly surprised that Pat & Lynn knew Mischa's name - it was great to know that things are that organized & the personal touch was unexpected. I think this is definitely the right class for her & will get the other GSD in this class for Feb as soon as I can. They both will be ahead in some aspects but this is giving the proofing & solidifying I need for them. Again, thanks SO much! Oh, also was very nice to meet all the other very warm "pro" people who were there - a pleasant surprise in a stereotypically 'snobby' sport. :) ~ E Kennedy, Beginner (CGC) Student

Triscuit is a past graduate of Pet Manners and Canine Good Citizen. He was a "pretty good citizen" for awhile until he could learn the long stay and achieve his CGC, but he did it! This year we have enjoyed Rally Beginner and Intermediate classes and now we are enjoying Novice Obedience. We've had Beverly, Elaine and Pat and they are awesome teachers! They treat Triscuit so kindly and he enjoys all of the positive feedback. I had a lot of trouble training Triscuit when he was a puppy until I found Dogwood. Triscuit excels with the positive training approaches at Dogwood and he leaves every class feeling confident and special. ~ Mimi & Triscuit, Novice I & Rally Student

I really enjoyed this class; I felt like my dog and I both got a lot out of it. Lynne, Pat and Gene were great - instructions were always clear, they gave individual attention as needed and kept things moving along (I was always surprised when the hour was over). ~ K Broomfield, Beginner (CGC) Student

The instructors were great and very helpful. This was our first experience in a dog training class, and I really enjoyed it. It was very helpful to have one-on-one instruction if my dog wasn't catching on to something. There comments were always helpful and they seemed very interested in each dog and their individual personality. I specifically liked the way that commands could be modified to suit the specific dog, if the standard way of doing things wasn't working. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone with a young dog. ~ K Chatfield, Pet Manners Student

Absolutely fantastic. We have a really fun time in class! My dog is behaving so much better than before. There could not be any better instructors. Excellent use of time. 1 on 1 treatment. Warm, friendly manners. 3 fabulous doggie teachers!!!! (and owner teachers). I love the big ass fan! plenty of room for personal space. nice and clean bathroom. great location. Me and my dog thought this was gonna be a chore to get him trained. It ended up being a fun way to train him and spend quality time with him. We both look forward to class every week! No improvements needed! ~ Windy, Beginner (CGC) Student

Novice I is very fun, the dogs enjoy it and it moves along quickly enough to keep them interested even now that it's started to get warm. Beverly and Elaine are wonderful. They have great ideas and the dogs love them. ~ Novice I Student

There are too many dogs enrolled in the class. You need room to work with your dog. We don't have any in classes this large. Puppies need more structure therefore smaller classes. I feel somewhat cheated on this current class. It is not the instructors. They do a fine job, but some control needs to be exercised over numbers. If money is the issue charge more and pay instructors. I know this is a Catch 22, but I paid for a class that would enable me to work with my dog and the numbers have kept me from feeling comfortable with my training. My instructors strive to do a good job and are as attentive as they can be with a class this large. Your instructors would also be more effective with smaller numbers. They deserve kudos for their work. ~ D McChesney, Pet Manners Student

The class is well organized, presented well, and start and end on time. The instructors are knowledgeable, helpful and obviously love dogs. The facility is very clean and has good lighting and air flow. It can be a bit noisy because typically there are two classes held at the same time in one big room. The instructors would explain and demonstrate the exercise. Then while the students and dogs were performing the exercise, the instructors would walk by each student to give help and advise. ~ D Wehunt, Pet Manners Student

The instructors were great and very helpful. This was our first experience in a dog training class, and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked that there were always 3 instructors during the class. It was very helpful to have one-on-one instruction if my dog wasn't catching on to something. There comments were always helpful and they seemed very interested in each dog and their individual personality. I specifically liked the way that commands could be modified to suit the specific dog, if the standard way of doing things wasn't working. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone with a young dog. ~ Pet Manners Student

The use of positive reinforcement over Neg. definitely produces results faster, more reliably and is a hell of a lot more fun. I like having multiple instructors. Each one has an experience to offer when you have a problem. Can't say I'd like to be in the bldg. in August, but I guess you figured that out for yourselves! I've had a lot of fun, and I've gotten all the direction I have needed. I especially liked watching you work with the Danes. I can't believe some of the people in the class didn't begin working with their dogs from day 1 knowing how big they were going to get. Having had 10 dogs now, even little Tigger has been worked with from the beginning. A neighbor may join me in the Fall she has a Cocker/ Chihuahua mix. I would like to have a list of dog events that are going on around Atlanta so that I can go watch to learn more. ~ A Levenson, Beginner (CGC) Student

Mindy's a very talented instructor. I always learn a lot from her. ~ Open Intro Student

Perfect number of dogs in class, we feel like we all get a fair amount of individual time and attention. Beverly and Bob get us motivated! I really like their honest feedback and helpful suggestions - and they provide encouragement just when I need it most. Love the big fan! The mating is comfortable and secure under my somewhat clumsy feet. We are progressing well, and this is due to good instruction and good handouts that keep us practicing at home. Oh, I'll be back again and again. I have high hopes and goals for myself and my cutest little dog! ADOG is great, I will bring all my future dogs here as well. ADOG is a great place to train (and be trained!) Can't think of a thing it is lacking! ~ Novice I Student

Tina and Rene did a super job! ~ Trial Ready Student

I would like to see more what to do if ... kind of things. Ex. if your dog gets up on the stay etc. I liked the fact that we always started on time and the instructor had the class planned. I hate wasting time. ~ Beginner (CGC) Student

We look forward to training with you again as we had an excellent experience with your group when we participated in your program with our Black Lab puppy Weston in 1997. After completing your obedience class, Weston passed his CGC test and temperament test to become a Happy Tails Pet Therapy volunteer at the tender age of 6 months and enjoyed almost nine years of service with the organization until he succumbed to lymphoma this past May. We hope to have similar success with our new puppy so it too can become a Happy Tails dog. ~ Repeat Student

Page Updated 07/25/2010