Happy Puppy Tutoring

02/08/12

Marilyn is GREAT - for people and dogs!

by Texas Labradors at Citysearch

I love Marilyn, and I have been in rescue for over 10 year, and in AKC dog clubs / shows just as long - she has helped with so many of our dog, I could write a book. I first met her while training one of my labradors for AKC shows - and I told her about a Great Pyrenees "rescue failure" that was not fitting into my home pack of 3 large dogs and being aggressive. She worked with all of the dogs, and with me to become the "Pack Leader" and by the end of the 4 sessions, there were no more 'surprise attacks", no more dog fights, NOTHING - everyone was happier and communicating - I was amazed! I have since called her for every rescue that is fearful and destructive or not bonding in the pack welland showing aggression - and have recommended her routinely with others that have fearful or aggressive dogs - and she has always had rave reviews! ;) Yes, she uses the submissive hold technique - but that was the key for us in bringing the "dominant" behavior under control (& my Pyr is over 100lbs) - it didn't hurt him or scare him at all. For another dog, she didn't do that all - as his needs were different. If you have tried everyone else without success, don't give up - try Marilyn - she never gives up on you or your dog.

07/23/10

Thrilled to Get Marilyn's Help

by radiogirlaustin at Citysearch

We did 4 training sessions with Marilyn and they have been super helpful. As a new dog owner, she taught me many things I just did not know (e.g., petting a scared dog reinforces their fear) and gave us some specific techniques that have helped our fearful dog to relax. Sunny wrote below to beware of the submission technique but this has been a huge help to our dog - though our dog is scared, not aggressive. Marilyn is loving and kind and a pleasure to work with. She gives so much of her time and experience, and makes herself available outside of training sessions. She's a great resource for all things dog - I am very grateful to know her and have her work with our dog! Thank you, Marilyn!

• Pros: smart, kind, experienced, easy to work with

04/21/10

Beware of submission holds!

by Sunny Days at Citysearch

Please don't do submission holds on your dog! I very much regret not doing more research on this method and agreeing to do submission holds on my dog with aggression issues. Unfortunately, this is Marilyn's main training method and when they didn't work for my dog she didn't have any other training methods. The submission holds made my dog even more untrusting of me and more aggressive.

• Pros: Marilyn is friendly
• Cons: Main training method is dangerous & made dog more aggressive

02/18/10

Best Dog Trainer Ever!!

by julie0610 at Citysearch

I just wanted to take a minute and tell you how wonderful Marilyn at Happy Puppy Tutoring is. She is an absolute miracle worker. We have a maltipoo puppy that barked all through the night for about 2 months and would growl at our children. We did extensive research and read several books and nothing worked. Honestly we probably would have given her away if she hadn't been a christmas present for our daughter. We were referred to Marilyn from a lady who said that she did a great job with her dogs. My husband and I were very skeptical but we were so sleep deprived that we were willing to try anything. She actually got our puppy to stop barking after the first visit! We couldn't believe it, we were ecstatic! With all of her bad behavior out of the way we are now working on all the other training like, roll over and play dead and we are having so much fun watching her learn more things. We learned a lot too and are much better pet owners because of what Marilyn taught us. Our puppy is now a close member of our family and owning and training her is just the most wonderful experience and it is all due to Marilyn.

• Pros: very reasonable fees, very proffessional, really knows her s

10/13/09

EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE

by MK Evans at Citysearch

My dog is a different being after 2 lessons. I wanted him to WILLING walk his chubby body every day instead of fighting and stalling: ride quietly in his car seat without whining to be held; not beg while I eat, and give the ball instead of growling viciously at everyone.. And, oh yeah, quit barking when I answer the door.

Well, TA DA! I''ve already got my money's worth, and I have 2 more lessons to reinforce this. MARILYN IS MY AFFORDABLE DOG WHISPERER.