Testimonials

If you would like to share your experiences and add a testimonial to this page, you can email me at craig@thdogman.co.uk or fill in the booking form on the contacts page - just add your text into one of the larger boxes. I can not guarantee that your testimonial will posted immediately, but I will try to do so as soon as possible. Any comments that are deemed unsuitable for posting will be rejected.

Beau

Well, astonishingly we now have a reasonably well behaved, manageable four legged friend ….. but that wasn’t the case when we first found him at Birmingham Dog’s Home. He was a nervous black Labrador named Beau who had been taken to the Home by a vet as the previous owner’s had asked the vet to put Beau down.

He was approx 16 months old, house trained and in good health so the vet wouldn’t oblige the owners and took Beau along to the Home. Our visit to the Home coincided with Beau’s arrival and my daughter was immediately smitten – he really does have the most soulful eyes.

Anyway, we tried a couple of dog training schools, turning up weekly as instructed, performing as instructed but Beau was exceedingly nervous, not interacting with either the trainers or other dogs and me not feeling as though we were actually achieving anything, he was still a lovable dog, kind of nice but dim but not responding to the structured training regime.

As he got older he was getting stronger, a little less nervous and at times becoming less and less manageable, constantly lunging and of a mind to attack other dogs for no apparent reason.

I decided perhaps it was time to try some training again as I was concerned about his unruly behaviour, particularly as he is so strong, I’m of slight build and had been pulled over one too many times and I got very fed up with apologising to other dog owners.

Hence my call to the Dog Man. Beau and I started training with Craig in the middle of last year, and we really did go right back to the beginning – changing diet, feeding habits, walking regimes etc. It was a learning programme for both me and Beau, but elements of the programme started to work almost immediately, and as Beau became more responsive we would move on to the next stage of training. To date, we’ve had no more than 7 lessons and I now have a dog who’s playful, loving, eager to please, responds to my commands, still dim but much more sociable and alert. So for me and Beau, the training has been a total success and we now see Craig about every 6 weeks just for some re-enforcement training sessions. The training package is flexible, informal; the pace is totally within your control and training styles adjusted to suit each dog and owner. Beau and I tried some things and they didn’t work for us, so we tried other techniques or moved on to something else – it wasn’t a case having to achieve x before moving on to y, so, a result and hence my opening comment.

Diane Cartwright (Birmingham)

I contacted Craig at the end of my tether, I had owned Evie, a very energetic and confident Cocker Spaniel since she had been a puppy and she had gradually over 18 months got me wrapped round her little paw. The worst came when I was taking her for walks before going to work in the morning and it could take up to ten minutes to get her back on the lead. This was getting very frustrating and the angrier I got the more she ignored me. Being a confident dog she liked to say hello to other dogs and had had a couple of nasty experiences with dogs nipping at her because she wouldn't come back when I called her. We had resorted to walking her on a halty because she was pulling so much but this didn't stop her pulling us along wherever she wanted to go.

Following a phone consultation with Craig we arranged to go and see him. Straight away he gave us the techniques to stop Evie being the 'top dog' in the house and start to encourage her to come back when we called her. After four weeks we had a completely different dog, I realised this when one day on a walk I overheard someone saying they wished their dog was as well behaved as Evie was and someone else asked how we had got her trained so well. She is still a confident dog and still hasn't lost any of her character but we can trust her, we can take her on walks and know she will come back whenever we call her. We are even training her using whistle now to call her back when we want. Best of all Evie has calmed down, she used to be full of nervous energy, she didn't know her place in our family, we have even taken her to the pub a few times and she happily sits with us in the beer garden or looks cute until children come and fuss her.

I can't thank Craig enough for all his help and support I tell everyone who asks me about him, most of all want to thank him for making it a pleasure to have Evie as part of our family and not a chore.
Again I can't thank you enough for your help.

Hannah

I would like to say a big thank you' for the training of our recently acquired 4 year old Labrador, Murphy. He may be handsome but he was also very strong and difficult to handle on the lead. He also rarely sat down on command. Our problem was also how were going to manage to cope with him and our eight year old Labrador bitch that attacked other dogs when they came near. Your advice, enthusiasm and eventually help to put the two together have made all the difference. Murphy is now a very well behaved dog making this a truly remarkable transformation. I can now take both dogs out on a lead and enjoy them to heal. The two are now inseparable and a delight to have around the home. We could not have achieved any of this without your boundless energy and excellent training programme. Very much appreciated!! Kind regards, Jane Savage

Our year old rescue dog was on the verge of being returned to the kennels as he was out of control and unmanageable. Thanks to you your training sessions and advice, we now have an obedient and much improved dog. He is a pleasure to take walking as he can run free, play with other dogs and come back to us command. The dog is happy and we are happy thanks to you and all your professional help. I can certainly recommend you excellent work to anyone who needs to help with their training regime. Yours, Mike Turner and 'Trilby'

Earlier this year we experienced pro blems when we introduced a new puppy into our home. Our 31/2–year old Golden Retriever, Holly, became stressed and aggressive towards the puppy. Eventually for the wellbeing of all concerned, including ourselves, we reluctantly returned the puppy to the breeder but with determination to resolve the problems and to re–establish our trust in Holly. The person to whom we turned for help was Craig Flint, a man who has, through his skill knowledge, enthusiasm, kindness and commitment wrought an unbelievable change in Holly's behaviour and attitude to life. This to the point where a friend who has known Holly since a 6 week old puppy said, 'Is this the same dog? How she has changed and for the better! It's amazing!' It's amazing, is how we feel too. With Craig's help we have had the pleasure of seeing Holly blossom into loving, happy, relaxed and obedient dog that wants to and enjoys her training.

The technique Craig teaches of positive re–enforcement combined with play and exactly what we as owners were looking for. There are no harsh words or actions making it a pleasurable experience for the dogs and the owners. Craig also gives generously of his time to ensure that as owners one feels totally supported in the training process. Added to Craig's skills are the superb kennel and facilities at Quintessential Quarters. On all our visits both dogs and accommodation are freely open inspection and are always in immaculate condition, a testament to the hard work and commitment of Craig, Karen and their staff. We cannot recommend Craig, Karen and Quintessential Quarters highly enough. Margaret and John Newsham