NOTE FROM THE DOGGIE CLUBHOUSE...
There is nothing more rewarding for us than to see our clients starting off in a Puppy Kindergarten Program or a Basic Obedience Program and then continuing into one of our other venues. Yes, "our pups" (and their humans!) have gone on to obtain numerous awards, titles, championships and certifications. But what makes us most proud is to know that these lucky dogs have very special "humans". Humans that took the time to teach them the confusing “rules” of living harmoniously in our society; humans that enjoy spending time with their dogs; humans that made these dogs the best that they can be. These are the dogs that have a happy ending. To run into you with your dogs, during long walks at the state parks or swimming in the nearby lakes; to watching the dogs running around the agility field on the weekends, perhaps on their way to being titled or just having a great time with their humans; to seeing you at local dog shows either as a spectator or in the ring; to seeing our Certified Therapy Dogs in nursing homes and various programs, bringing joy and companionship to those that may be less fortunate or perhaps not able to get out into society anymore, is what it’s all about.
Thank you for sharing your dogs with us!
Pixie & Cricket - All American Mixed Breeds
When I learned that you were closing the Hawthorne facility, I was walking around muttering "crap, crap, crap!" and I swear my husband Andre was ready to have me committed!! Almost every Wednesday night for the past 5 years or so, I have brought Pixie and more recently, Cricket to learn to be the best dogs they can be. Wednesdays were my night with my pups and I looked forward to it every single week. We always had lots of fun! Bill would be so proud of what you've done for his legacy.
You are amazing in so many ways. You have a great way of making everyone feel like they and their dogs are special. I've seen so many remarkable changes in both dogs and people because you have shown them the way to understanding their dogs and teach them well. You have given me so much confidence in myself as a dog trainer and helped me through a very tough time with Pixie and Cricket for which I am very grateful.
You are a mentor and a friend not only to me, but to my dogs as well.
Jamie Hopf,
"Pixie & Cricket"
Monty & Petey - Dobermans
Monty is the second dog I've taken to The Doggie Clubhouse for training. My other dog Petey and I went through 3 different trainers/school and always came away very unsatisfied. Some trainers methods were too soft others were too old fashioned. None of them understand dog behavior like Dory. We finally found the Doggie Clubhouse when Petey was 2.5 and Dory's methods are exactly what Petey and I needed to finally get a handle on his behavior and my body language that was confusing Petey. Dory teaches the owner how to positively train their dog in very easy steps that you build on as training progresses. She teaches you how your dog sees the world and why they do certain behaviors. She and her other trainers at Doggie Clubhouse make training rewarding and FUN. Petey was finally able to obtain his Canine Good Citizenship after attending OB2 at The Doggie Clubhouse. It is a certificate that every owner should aspire to get for their dog. It has helped us be able to rent homes for vacations and bring Petey along. It shows that you have spent the time and effort training your dog to be a model canine citizen.
Monty recently joined my family at three months old, I decided to take him to OB1 with Dory immediately after getting him. What a difference it has made during those hard early weeks of puppyhood. Taking Monty so early was the best decision I could have made. I am enjoying watching him learn, and he loves training. Training a puppy or a dog should start the very first day they join your family, OB1 will teach you how to incorporate the behaviors you want from day one. So many problems could be avoided it everyone went to obedience classes. Monty graduated from OB1 at 20 weeks old, and we are excited to start OB2. Dory allows drop in's for OB2 so you can continue training your dog for his lifetime. A well trained dog is a joy to live with. I highly recommend Dory and The Doggie Clubhouse.
Carol Linguanti,
"Petey & Monty"
Emma - Norfolk Terrier
My husband and I have owned dogs for 45 years. We have enrolled dogs in several different obedience schools, have had private instructors come to our home, and taken dogs for one on one training sessions. We both agree that Dory's Doggie Clubhouse offers the very best in obedience and agility classes with excellent instructors for both.
Dory's knowledge of dogs and their behavior is incredible. Her sense of humor made even the most frustrating dog days relaxed and fun. We enjoyed her class so much we did it two times!
Jamie, the Novice Obedience instructor, was wonderful...encouraging, knowledgeable and very kind. We look forward to seeing her in a future class, perhaps even for pet therapy training.
As for Pat and the Agility classes...never did we imagine that they would be so much fun! Instead of saying 'good bye' to fellow pupils, now friends, and Pat, the instructor, we are enrolling in the next session.
Lou and I feel very fortunate that we have Dory and all that the Doggie Clubhouse has to offer so nearby...tho' many people travel long distances to attend classes. The business end of the sessions is run smoothly and efficiently. Classes are fun, informative and always without pressure. The great pictures and videos Dory puts together for each class are added attractions and bonuses.
Emma, our Norfolk Terrier, is certainly a better dog for all of her Doggie Clubhouse classes. We are, we hope, better owners because of the same classes and the dedicated instructors.
Lou and Cathie Heimbach,
"Emma"
Mr. Bailey "Boodles" - All American Mixed Breed
When I adopted Mr. Boodles, he was 12 weeks old - a rescue from a kill shelter in Kentucky. He was hiding in the back of his crate, shaking and drooling all over himself. It became clear very quickly that Boodles had severe fear and anxiety issues. He was terrified of everyone new who came into the house, growling and hiding and peeing all over the floor. He refused to be touched by anyone outside of my family, running away from anyone who tried to pet him. On every car trip he would drool and vomit, even if we were just going 5 minutes down the road.
My heart was breaking for my puppy. I went to several different vets, and tried every car sickness medications availble. I was eventually told that he just couldn't be taken in the car anywhere. In addition to this, he was prescribed doggie prozac and I have tried everything I could find on the internet to help with his fear. He had been to training, nothing helped. With each trip in the car he seemed more and more miserable.
When I brought Mr. Boodles to Dory, he was a little over a year old. He was taking Prozac, Dramamine, and antacids. I had been to several different vets at this point, and had gotten advice from several different trainers.
Dory's approach with Boodles worked miracles. Her positive, yet firm way of training was something that I had never encountered before.
Mr. Boodles is a different dog. I still can't believe how much he has changed. He is on absolutely no medication, and loves the car! He refuses to be left behind if my other dog is going somewhere, and loves to look out the window. Once he's done barkng his hellos at visitors, he brings them his tennis ball and wants to play! Boodles loves the park, and not only playing with his 4-legged friends, but going up to everyone to be pet, and sitting on stranger's laps!
Boodles is the happy, fun-loving dog that I never thought it was possible for him to be. I can't thank Dory enough for the change she has made in both mine, and Boodles' lives.
I've been through basic obedience 1, with Boodles and am currently taking beginners agility. We're already signed up for the next session. I tell them we're going to doggie school and he barks and spins and dances all around the house. I will be continuing his training with Dory after agility ends.
Lisa Daitch,
"Boodles"
Hutch - Great Dane
Dory has been a wonderful resource for so many Dane owners and adopters of Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. She has helped our foster homes with issues with the orphans in their care and has had many of our Danes attend her training classes. She continues to be a great resource and help to us when asked for help, for that we are truly grateful.
I personally trained with Dory with my most recent Great Dane rescue addition, Hutchinson, and with Dory's help, we went thru basic training, advanced obedience training and then became therapy certified. It's the best experience I personally ever had with a trainer and I highly recommend her for help with the training of any large breed.
MaryFran Cini,
President
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League
NJ North Chapter Coordinator
"Hutch"
Ashley - Toy Poodle
We started training with Dory years ago when she was in Hawthorne, first with Puppy Kindergarten, then Obedience and then Agility. Thank you and your staff, everyone truly loves our little ones and have taught us all how to be great parents! We listened to all of your rules - except for being on the couch and sleeping in our bed! I'll never forget when I asked you one evening at Puppy Kindergarten, what to do because Ashley peed on the couch - you simply looked at me and asked "and why was she on the couch?". Billy & I were speechless!
We have an amazing dog and you are part of that!
We will certainly keep in touch!!!
With love! Jeanne & Billy Placier,
"Ashley" (aka: Warrior Woman)
Romeo - Rottweiler
We have been trained by Dory for too many years to mention. Notice I said "WE". Our Rottweilers survived our inadequate handling, our poor timing with commands and our hot dogs given at the wrong time. Blackrock Rottweilers, at all different ages, have been enrolled in a variety of classes. From Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, Conformation Handling, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog and we even tried Agility. Our male Rottweiler was a natural for this class but he was so fast we couldn't keep up with him. Our dog passed but we failed! :)
Every Rottweiler puppy that we still had attended Puppy Kindergarten. When they were finally placed, they were not only well behaved but also smarter and more confident. Our most recent graduate from Therapy Dog Class was our then 11 1/2 old Male Rottweiler (he's 12 1/2 now). Who said you can't teach old dogs new tricks?
Dory & her staff are terrific with all breeds (and they are tolerant of the owners too!).
Grace McGlynn,
BLACKROCK ROTTWEILERS
CH BLACKROCKS HEARTBREAKER, CGC
"Romeo"
Bojie - Newfoundland
I picked up Bojie from my breeder when he was 9 weeks old, and was on the phone with Dory the following week, with a list of questions and concerns. Bojie is my first dog, and I decided for my first dog, why not go big and get a Newfoundland! After the initial "Gund bear" phase wore off, I realized this 10 week old, 20 pound ball of fluff, with razor sharp teeth, was growing rapidly into what would be 150+ pounds of dog that I needed to make sure I was able to control. We immediately started taking classes with Dory in puppy kindergarten when Bojie was just about 12 weeks old. It was such an enjoyable experience for both of us, that we continued to enroll in classes with her throughout the last three years. What stood out for me from the beginning, is that it was me training Bojie, not anyone else. He was learning his commands from me, while I was being instructed by Dory. Looking back, I realize this is what has helped us form such an incredible bond. Bojie, now 3 and a half years old, has received his Canine Good Citizen, is a Bright and Beautiful therapy dog, has a Rally Novice obedience title, and most recently began doing water rescue work, as well as draft (carting) work, and we are entered in our first water and draft competitions this fall! These titles could not be possible if it wasn't for Dory and all of the classes we took with her, where she gave me the tools to be able work at home with Bojie every day.
Although it gives me great pleasure to have all of these titles after his name that prove what great work we do together, what I am most proud of are the complements we receive on a daily basis, doing absolutely normal, every day things together. To hear from perfect strangers how well behaved my dog is, and what a great bond we have, and how they can't believe 5 foot 3 inches of me can control a dog who weighs more than I do, and is taller than I am. To have people stop to admire and compliment us while we're at a restaurant and they've just finished their meal and never even realized a 155 pound dog was lying behind them at my feet for the last hour they were seated. To see him bring light into the eyes of children, to lick away an autistic child's tears, to thank the men and women who served our country by visiting them in the VA hospital wearing a big santa hat and pulling candy canes in his cart on Christmas, to provide company and a kiss to the elderly, and being tall enough to reach the hospital beds of the the sick to enable them to pat his head as he licks their hands, gives me more pride than I can express, and makes me so grateful to Dory for helping us strengthen our bond with one another, and learn together how to be the best team we can be. People all over the country have asked where I learned to train Bojie so well, and I always tell them about Dory, about how I called her almost in tears three years ago, worried sick about not knowing a thing about training, and how she made me feel at ease from our first phone call, right on through to seeing her cheering for us on the sidelines of the Rally ring competition. Besides all of our accomplishments, I've learned to trust Bojie's judgement of character, and I can honestly say, the only time I can not control him, is if Dory walks into a room after we haven't seen her for a while! He will do anything to be by her side. He is absolutely in love with her, and that has always spoke volumes to me. Thank you again Dory, for helping me mold Bojie into the most amazing dog I could ever imagine having. He is my heart and soul.
Love and BIG Newfy licks,
"I am a dog and I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a 'dog on two feet' – I know what you are and who you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still. Come to me not as 'alpha' or as 'trainer' or even 'Mom or Dad'. Come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am."
