Click Here to read what some past students have to say about Peggy Moran's Dog Improvement Dog Training!   Gisela Tells Teddy's Story: "Teddy is a rescued Doberman Pincher who had a rough early life. At two years of age she was tied up outside all of the time, and frequently had to defend herself against stray dogs. Luckily she had good neighbors who called the police, and when Chicago animal control picked her up she was just cowering in utter terror. Teddy's fear based submission saved her life, because had she shown any aggression toward people it surely would have been the end for her! Teddy was moved into foster care. Her first 'foster mother' had five dogs and a grandson, and Teddy was alright with all of them. She was getting cured of kennel cough, whip and hook worm, and several gashes on the side of her neck that went through the skin. I went to meet her, and when I reached down to pet her, she went into the cowering mode. So, I sat on the floor with her and she let me scratch her head. I adopted her and when I brought her home she looked around carefully. The cats hissed at her and jumped to higher ground. Eventually Teddy sat down at the top of the stairs from where she could observe everything. In two weeks she went into heat and then the 5 month process of curing her of heartworm started. It is a painful treatment, but she never winced once. I taught Teddy some commands. 'Down' was easy; when in doubt about what was expected of her, she cowered! She would sit whenever I got the leash, but soon she started testing me. During our walks she pulled a lot. If we passed a bicycle she barked, and if we passed a dog on a leash she sometimes went ballistic. When she heard a train coming she really jumped and barked. In the car she barked at everything and clawed at the windows. Fortunately, a friend of mine who read Dog World Magazine and the column Peggy used to write noticed that she lives in Lemont and trains dogs. So I got in touch with her and signed up for a private lesson; best thing I ever did! I also took her beginner’s class to see her in action with dogs and I started learning how to become a better leader for Teddy. Walking on lead has improved also. I think the more confidence she has in me as a good leader, the less need she has to handle the situation herself. We are still working on things like her snapping when little kids run too close to her. I am also making progress in being more aware of what she is thinking and what she is about to do, so that I can nip it in the bud when she is about to head down the 'wrong track.' After all, we have lived together for only 10 months, hardly long enough to have built Rome! Now that Teddy is healthy and spayed, she can run in the dog park where nothing hurts her and people say ‘wow, look at how fast that Dobe is’. She is enjoying life and making up for lost time. Peggy will help us stay on the right track. Thank you Peggy!" Spring, 2007--Update: Teddy and Gisela We are into year 5 of living together. Teddy has turned into a confident Dobe. We have continued training with Peggy every week and Teddy loves going there. She is a good performer and will sit, heel, stay, and whatever, always looking at me to see what’s next. In fact she will jump the gun and anticipate what I will ask, keeping me on my toes not to become too repetitive. Peggy and her dog Nefer taught Teddy how to get respect from other dogs, without hurting them. This has made her very good with dogs at the dog park, where she can run and she is still very fast. Once she met another dominant dog at the park and after the initial arrfs, they both stood at attention, neither one wanting to be the first to move. So, I gave her an out and said ‘let’s go’ and she turned her back on a worthy opponent and headed straight for me. At home she has the run of the house and knows which toys are hers to chew up and shake to death. Julie, the de-clawed cat, will whack her across the nose when she is tired of being poked by a wet nose. Teddy loves getting a bath in the tub. It took 8 months before she would come into the bathroom on her own. Teddy is living the good life, now--a far cry from her earlier life as a mistreated dog who luckily wound up in rescue! I continue to work on my handling skills, to help me stay on my toes while reminding my very intelligent pet that--though I love her dearly and train her kindly--I am still the LEADER!   April 18, 2007 Dear Miss Peggy,   It's me Beethoven Beagle. Remember me?  My brother Trey Beagle and I want to thank you for training my mom for us, and we wanted to let everyone know that you are the greatest trainer ever!  We're so much happier now that you've helped our family.   We knew our new mom was a good person since she adopted both of us from a foster home.  Trey and I met there, where we became best friends.  I've let Trey be the "top dog" because it makes him feel good and then he plays more with me. But after just being in our new home a couple of weeks, Mom felt we had some "issues," -- though at the time I had no idea what she was talking about!  (She must have been talking about Trey.)  Anyway, we both came to see you for private lessons.    I guess you go way back with our family. Mom took her first beagle, Barney, to your group classes 14 years ago.  From the stories I've heard, Barney Beagle liked to chase my human brother, who was only 5 years old at the time, and would even try tearing off his clothes.  (I would never do that! ) Anyway, from what Mom says, she learned how to handle Barney's behavior problems. She says it was great learning with a small group of people because she learned something new from everyone in the group.  Mom says Barney  lived a long and happy life with the family until he went to doggy heaven.   Back to my education: After just starting to get used to our new home, Mom put Trey and me in the car and off we went to our first lesson with Miss Peggy.  Wow  that doggy classroom was really cool. Miss Peggy liked me right away, I could tell. But  I had my own plans of how I wanted things to go with my new family and honestly I was accidentally fooling everyone about my personality. I just have that kind of face.  Look at our picture: I'm the one on the right.  I'm the one who looks like Old Man River, with Mr. Sorrowful eyes. Don't you just want to hug me and let me do whatever I want?! Well, though I am cute, I was also pretty disconnected. I never got the whole "human bond" thing--nobody ever gave me the chance.  I always depended on Trey to check everything out for me, because I get shy easily with new things.  I guess everyone was thinking I wasn't very smart, so they just left me alone.   Miss Peggy, you had me figured out the moment we met. I even had Mom fooled, but not you.  You taught my Mom how to get my attention and showed her how to train me. I quickly learned all sorts of fun stuff and now Mom knows I'm smart too!  I don't have to depend on Trey anymore and now I can do many things when Mom asks me too. And you know what Miss Peggy? I like it a lot! I like learning new things; it makes me happy.  Best of all, I never, ever got yelled at for anything while I was learning.  I used to do a lot of goofy things but I don't want to do them anymore; I'd rather be with my mom, or coming to your place for lessons.  I really like it there; you have such fun stuff in your training room that I get to look at and smell and play with. You make learning fun for me.  In fact, it is as much fun as playing with Trey!   I guess I did have "issues," as Mom liked to call them, but not anymore. I love my new family and I no longer need to check with Trey every time I want to do something.  You sure do know how to train people; you did a great job with Mom!  I really liked that you were always so kind and patient with us. I'm much happier now, and even if my face doesn't show it I am a happy dog now!      Hi Miss Peggy,   Trey Beagle here, Beethoven's brother.  I let him go first just this once, because he seemed to have a lot he needed to say.  Geez, I didn't even know he could type!  Anyway, about me, and you, and training stuff:   I know I had issues, being a rescue dog, and I certainly had my own way of doing things. After all, I've been around a few places though I'm only 2 years old. Let's just say I "knew how to play the game" with my new family; the "I'm in charge here!" game. I could be a real nice dog, but when I'd stake out my territory and make up my mind, no one was going to tell me what to do. At least that's how I saw things before we went to your Dog Improvement classes.  Miss Peggy you were always so patient with me.  (I think you liked me best!) You gave me special attention and worked with me while Mom would watch and learn.  Sometimes Mom would make mistakes during her practice time, but you just helped her along and answered her tons of questions so she could understand me better.   Coming to see you was wonderful because when I did good you thought of the greatest things to reward me with. Once my Mom began doing the things you suggested things started changing in our house.  Each week I'd hear Mom telling you what was going on and no matter what the problem was, you always had ideas to handle it. There was plenty of tail wagging and laughing going on, too.  It's nice that you have a good sense of humor. (You need one to look at my brother's face--har har!)   Life's a lot easier on me without my "issues."  I'm a lot happier, and so is my family. I'm glad to know my training can continue, since you offer lots of cool classes and special seminars on all kinds of interesting activities for dogs. Wow--a Sniffing Seminar?!--what more could a beagle want?!   Anyway I'm writing this letter in hopes other dogs will get their humans over to see you. Then they'll be as happy as Beethoven and I are in our home thanks...much of it thanks to you, Miss Peggy! (PS--Beethoven snores--LOUDLY!--any advice for THAT??)   Trey and Beethoven Borsuk Proud Beagles of Barbara Borsuk bwbors@aol.com  708-220-4444 Read what some past students say about Dog Improvement: