The Polite Dog

We enrolled my spirited Chihuahua/cattle dog mix, Rugby, in Mark’s day school and I can’t thank Mark enough for how much he helped us. Mark did a thorough (free) consultation that helped us understand his training approach and see what would work well for Rugby. We ended up going with the day school option. For the day school, Mark came to the house and took Rugby on an outing or worked with him in the house. Day school also included 5 transfer sessions - the most important part. He took the time to get to know Rugby and understand what triggers and motivates him, then transfer that knowledge to me. Our focus with Rugby was on his prey drive with squirrels. This had gotten to be pretty challenging to deal with on walks. Mark spent countless hours working with Rugby on decision making in the presence of squirrels, and he’s doing much better now. He’ll never not have a prey drive, but now, he understands that he has options and responds to my re-directs, something I couldn’t get through to him despite years of trying. Mark also worked with Rugby on leash manners, more advanced recall work, and polite greetings. I really appreciated the transfer sessions where I learned a lot of, sometimes very simple, tricks to help improve our communication. For example, trying to satisfy Rugby’s prey drive using a flirt pole session or carrying a tug on walks to give him a brief outlet after a squirrel encounter. Mark also took time to offer recommendations in managing our two dog household and practiced in home greetings with both dogs involved. Mark is an excellent trainer, he understands dog behavior, and dogs absolutely love him. For months after training, Rugby went crazy anytime he thought someone walking by was Mark! Highly recommend investing in his training programs, you won’t regret it!!

My wife Kathy and I rescued a very energetic flat-coated retriever about a year ago and were having some issues with leash pulling, reactive barking, and failure to come when called. Mark was recommended by two neighbors - and he was exactly what we needed. Mark is a true dog whisperer - he has a very calming and relaxed presence that dogs love. He had an immediate positive bond with our dog and seemed to know right away what were the best approaches to use. He really showed us the best ways to help our dog succeed -- making it a very positive (and successful) experience for both us and our dog. Mark is terrific at explaining and patiently showing what needs to be done - and he writes the best summary emails for the sessions - very helpful! We could not be happier with the results and enthusiastically recommend Mark for anyone who is thinking about a dog trainer. You (and your dog!) will be happy you did.

We cannot recommend Mark highly enough for anyone seeking top-notch dog training services. From the moment we enrolled our first dog, followed by a new puppy, we knew we were in excellent hands. Mark is not just a trainer; he is a true dog whisperer. His understanding of canine behavior is unmatched, and his patience and dedication to each dog's individual needs are commendable. Mark successfully creates a positive and nurturing environment that fosters learning and growth for both the dogs and the owners. The bond established with Mark was immediate and deeply trusting. Throughout the training sessions, Mark provided clear and effective guidance, utilizing a variety of techniques tailored to our dogs' temperament and learning style. With two young German Shepherds as smart as they are active and excitable, we needed to instill discipline and order while respecting their innate traits of loyalty and protectiveness. Thanks to Mark, our dogs have made remarkable progress in controlled leash walking, remaining in place when visitors arrive, and responding promptly when called, both indoors and off-leash. If you're looking for a dog trainer who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated to helping your pets reach their full potential, look no further than Mark. Trust us; you won't be disappointed! The Anderson's