Testimonials

I met Shirley one morning while walking my dog Ozzy, a Mastiff weighing 140 lbs. He is a gentle and loving animal, but was difficult to walk because he lacked basic training. He almost always pulled me out the door and down the stairs. Once we were walking he was always ahead of me.

I learned that Shirley was lending her expertise (over 30 years of dog obedience training) to a group of area residents in the form of a six-week basic training class. Upon first joining the group, I was shown the appropriate steps to perform the "heel" command. Shirley was careful to show us all of the elements associated with the command, including correct leash and body positions for both Ozzy and myself. I was amazed at how quickly Ozzy grasped this concept. Almost instantaneously, his attitude towards me as his "master" changed. He looked up at me for direction. When I stopped, he stopped. When I ran, he ran. The way in which we exercised dramatically improved.

Subsequent lessons incorporated the "heel," "sit," and "stay" commands with advanced situations. Under Shirley's supervision, I took Ozzy into public areas that had many distractions to test what he (and I) had learned. We both did very well. I continue to practice all of the elements of the training that Shirley taught and on occasion, contact her when I have questions. I support her views on training, which center around improving the quality of life for both the dog and owner.

Again, Shirley McVicker is a qualified, dedicated professional in the area of life-training for dogs. Her expertise will be most valuable to any class participant.

Sincerely,

Robin Brunstrum

I have an eight-month old Finnish Spitz/Chow puppy. Spitzs and Chows are hard to train because they are very strong willed and lose interest quickly, but Shirley worked wonders with Anni.

Last fall, several new dogs and puppies appeared in our community, so Shirley started a training class and Anni became the demonstration dog. One puppy - a Bernese Mountain dog - was tugging on the leash and dragging his owner along. Within ten minutes, Shirley had him heeling and paying attention. His owner was amazed. She had enrolled him in a local obedience schoolÕs head start program but said he learned more in the ten minutes with Shirley than in the two head start sessions he had attended.

I have seen Shirley work with dogs of all sizes and ages, from a year-old American Mastiff to a six-year old mixed breed Lab to an elderly Shih Tzu to a Boston terrier puppy. The dogs adore her!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Snively

I first contacted a well known dog training company in Old Towne. I felt the program was too rigid, not customized based on the dogÕs individual personality. I found Leash and Collar.

Shirley McVicker helped make my new puppy experience less stressful and enjoyable. Having a 5-month-old puppy that already weighed 60 pounds was walking me. Within 5 minutes Shirley had him heeling beautifully. A few classes and now our walks are more enjoyable for us both. Shirley truly loves what she does and it shows by her deep commitment to both owner and dog.

If you are looking for that special trainer who cares as much for your dog as you do, then look no further. Leash and Collar is the only game in town.

Thanks Shirley. Digby and I give you 2 paws up!

Tami Sarjeant