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I love taking classes at Family Dog Training Center, and have been off and on
for the past 12 years. I learn something new at every class.
I own and show Bichon Frise in Conformation events. My current dog Simon has
more potential than any other I have shown so I knew I had to get him into
classes with Kathy to give him the proper training. I felt that I was
struggling with Simon's bold personality and Kathy showed me how to temper him
but to also use his boldness to our advantage.
Simon began showing at the Seattle KC shows and achieved his AKC Championship
and Grand Championship within 4 months. He has been awarded several group
placements (including 3 Group firsts) and a BISS at the Group 6 Specialty,
Cloverdale, BC on November 26, 2011. At just over 2 years Simon has a bright
future in the ring.
The instruction I have received from Kathy has given me confidence in the ring
and made me a better handler. A MUCH better handler!!
If you are serious about winning in the breed ring, Kathy Lang is the one to
train with. She will help you achieve your goals!
Sheri Kennedy
AbsoluteBichon
Snohomish, WA
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We recently finished the Therapy Dog Prep class with our dog, Joey. I wanted to let you know that Denise Paquette is one of best instructors I have experienced.
Her classes are dynamic and engaging and she is quick to respond to emerging situations. She offers challenges and support as appropriate and encourages you to be a better handler.
She is an extremely effective communicator and is very knowledgeable regarding both human and canine thought processes. Her instructions are clear and concise and it is a pleasure to be in her class.
Thank you,
Terri Brandau
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Dillon came into our lives after our other 2 Malinois Amy and Atom were humanely euthanized at just over 11 year old and at 3 1/2 months apart. They were littermates and were so much loved. It was hard to get another dog right away. We waited about 3 months and put our name on a list with Dillon's breeder, Catherine Shields and Carousel Malinois. We picked Catherine because of the beautiful Malinois that she has produced and their great temperaments. Catherine also does all the right socialization and medical testing of the pups and parents. Mom Cayenne had 8 puppies (on 2/6/10) and we were on the list at number 10. So we would have to wait longer for our bundle of joy. Then 3 days after we got back from our vacation in March, Catherine informed us that if we were still interested we could check out a pup that had become available and that she thought would work well for our lifestyle. We said YES, so Catherine emailed us the 11 page questionaire for us to fill out and talked to a dear friend (we had known her and her mom for almost 40 years and her mom gave us Amy and Atom, she became friends with Catherine after buying a pup from her 8 years ago) about our home life. It took me 3 hours to fill out the questionaire. I was so glad that a breeder would put this much effort in making sure her pups went to the right homes. Rick and I went to meet Dillon on his 8 week birthday and fell in love and took him home. Our plans for him have been to show him in Breed Ring, then try the Agility and Herding fields. He loves watching Agility and playing on the teeter toter, tunnel and dog walk. So he should excel at that. His parents and grandparents (and his siblings) have done very well and have championships in Agility, Herding, Breed Ring, Search and Rescue and 1 sibling placed high (diving over 17 1/2 feet) the first time she dove into the water trying Dock Diving! Dillon was highlighted in the November/December issue in Pet Connection Magazine, so he is a celebrity in his own right! Although, his dad Jack, is on the front page and on pages 60-61 of the June Dog Fancy magazine. Fame just runs in the family! :-)
Dillon has been taking Breed Ring classes from Family Dog and Kathy Lang for a few weeks now. I am trying to train him to be a good show dog so that a handler can show him with ease. I am disabled and cannot run fast enough for showing. Kathy has been very supportive and helpful in getting Dillon trained in the Breed Ring. Kathy has been very patient with me not moving fast and with Dillon's problem of getting so excited and wanting to try to play with the other dogs. He thinks he is at Doggy Day Care! He is an only child, so wants to play so bad. Another problem I have with him is his love for Kathy and wanting to jump up on the judge for some kissy face time! NOT good training for Breed Ring. :-) Kathy has given me techniques that have worked wonders with Dillon's issues! Kathy is the best at getting the most out of a dog. She is gentle but firm and the dogs respond so well to her training.
Laura, Rick and Dillon Kelley (Dillon is Irish for "Faithful Companion")
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| Dillon at only 7 months old meeting and working sheep for the first time! He is going to be a natural like his parents and grandparents! The trainer was amazed at how good he was for never even seeing sheep before this encounter. |
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Dillon with his toy, hoping that the people walking by with their dog will stop and play with him! |
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Family Dog Training Center is fantastic. I've trained two rescue dogs with them, and the trainers have been very understanding and encouraging. Denise P. is WONDERFUL - high energy, very knowledgeable, great sense of humor. I recommend FDTC to ANYONE wanting to work with his/her dog. It's never too late - you really can teach an old dog (and old owner) new tricks (and commands).
~ Nancy W. |
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I have been a student
of Family Dog for three years now and I am currently training in
agility with my papillon, Karmon. Karmon is three years old and has
been training at Family Dog pretty much her entire life. We
starting competing in Agility last June and Karmon now has 6 novice
titles. Her name and titles are: ClearBrook Karmon Rose, NAC,
NJC,TN-N, TG-N, HP-N, NJP. We have now started competing in the
OPEN class . We are very proud to represent Family Dog every time
we go out and compete! ~ Debra S.
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I thought you would like to know about my successes with Nickel
(Standard Poodle) since our one and only private conformation
lesson. I took all that you said to heart and applied it. I
video-taped the 'pros' and myself in the ring, worked on self
stacking, taught Nickel to wag her tail on command and strategized
where and when to show. I am very happy to tell you that Nickel is
now a Canadian, American Champion and a Best in Show UKC Grand
Champion! ALL FROM THE BRED BY CLASS and we now qualify for BBE
Eukenuba. I spent two months chasing Majors in CO, CA, OR, WA, ID,
but all of them either broke or just didn't happen. I decided to
take her up to Alaska and she finished with two 4 point majors with
a GROUP 1st and a GROUP 3rd! Being in the AKC Best In Show ring
was the most amazing experience I have ever had with one of my
dogs. Thank you for your help! ~ Vikki K. and the Poodle Girls
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I love the family atmosphere. It was very important for me that my
son be part of the training experience. Family dog encourages
family members to take part. They are always there to answer any
question that I have. And I ask a lot! The end result is I don't
have a pet anymore. I have a well behaved member of the family
that can go every where with me. If it wasn't for family dog I
would have never realized the true potential of my dog. Thanks,
Family Dog! ~ Nicole R.
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I have been training at Family Dog Training Center for over 10 years. I would highly recommend Family Dog to anyone who is looking to have a well mannered dog. I am constantly receiving comments about how well mannered my dogs are and I attribute that to the training methods taught by Kathy Lang. Currently I am in competition obedience and agility classes with my two competition dogs (a Rottweiler and a Belgian Tervuren). I just recently began the agility classes and couldn't be happier with how Kathy Lang introduces the dogs to the agility equipment. It is done in a safe controlled environment making sure the dog has the most positive experience. It definitely makes a difference. I have always been amused at how my dogs know when it is class day and make sure I don't forget! They love the training and are always raring to go!
In addition, from the time my son was born I have been able to utilize the training philosophies with my parenting. My favorite philosophy is "unrewarded behavior will extinguish itself." This is so true, especially with kids. I never experienced the "terrible twos" because I ignored my son whenever he attempted a tantrum. He quickly learned there was no benefit to having a tantrum so he quit trying. And that is just one example of how the training techniques learned at Family Dog helped with life beyond dogs. Other examples: clear concise commands, no nagging, no repeating commands. I am definitely a better parent for having learned the training philosophies utilized at Family Dog before having had kids. This is definitely a "Family" training center. They don't just focus on getting the dog to sit, etc. but rather how your whole family life can affect the dog as well as other members in the house. I learne d that sometimes the problem is not with the dog, but the family situation (confusion, tension, a chaotic environment, etc.). Once the family situation issued gets resolved, everything goes along more smoothly, including life with the dog!
Christine F.
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I would recommend Family Dog Training Center to anyone who wants to train their dogs to be good canine members of the family and also in more advanced skills like competition obedience, agility and rally. The instructors there have many years of experience working with novice trainers like I was when I started going there and are very friendly and helpful. I ask lots of questions in class and by email, and they are always responsive, knowledgeable and supportive. I am learning not just the actual training exercises but how to read and understand my dog as well and interact with him in a positive manner.My dog and I love going to class and doing things together and I feel that I have a better bond with my dog because of the things I have learned at Family Dog Training Center.
CherylJ
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I have trained at FDTC for a couple of years now. I really enjoy that the instructors are all very friendly and professional . I like the 10 minute tickers (Training sessions) that they offer. It is a nice safe facility to train dogs in too.
Theresa Burns
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The fact that the owner, Kathy Lang, is well known in the dog community because of her years of experience had modivated me to continue trainig at her facility for 20 years. Presently my 10 year old girls are in obedience classes and agility class. The positive approach to training makes the classes a joy for all of us.
Alda
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Whether you want to teach your dog household manners or compete in companion and performance events, Family Dog Training Center is the best place to bring your dog. I am taking competitive obedience classes with my five-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and have been continually amazed by how fast she is learning. I believe her rapid progress is in large part due to owner and training director Kathy Lang’s emphasis on teaching dogs to problem-solve. The training is not about forcing your dog to do what you want, but teaching your dog how to figure out what you want. Progress also comes quickly because Family Dog trainers help you learn how to communicate clearly as a handler and reduce your dog’s confusion. Family Dog trainers pay attention to the specific needs of your dog. Class time is set aside to raise questions about your dog’s behavior and response to training, and solutions are based on your own dog’s temperament, history, and special needs.
Amber
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Simply put.......the best training center you will ever experience. I look at the dog world so differently since coming here. My dog and I have a wonderful realtionship because we work as a team. My only regret.....not bringing my previous dogs here. I really deprived them of what could have been a better life for them and me.
Karen and Halle
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Kathy Lang at the Family Dog Training Center has opened up a whole new world for me. She taught me how to think like a dog. I've been training with Kathy for over 20 years and find the canine mind absolutely fascinating. Kathy has a profound understanding of all breed's mental capabilitites and utilizes this in her teaching. She has the innate ability to know exactly what your dog is trying to tell you and why it reacts in a certain manner. She relates this information to her students so they can interpret their dog's actions and train them accordingly. It makes training so much easier if you think like your canine friend, then your goals can be unlimited.
Pat M.
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One of the best training sites available. I train in conformation as well as obedience. Very knowledgable trainers. Site is clean and orderly. I have small dogs and feel confident that they are in a safe environment. Many venues offered. They even deal with problem dogs and issues. I always recommend FDTC.
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I have been a student at Family Dog Training Center for 20 years. I have found the staff very professional and the positive training method has resulted in numerous obedience & breed ring titles. The training style is positive and I look forward to the classes.
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