Harvey the Labrador and George the Springer Spaniel

I have a one year old springer spaniel who pulls like mad on the lead and jumps up at everyone to greet them. He is a lovely temperament but very boisterous. I also have a six year old rescue labrador who is also a very friendly dog but does have some issues.

After finding Sally online, I booked a session for her to come to the house to meet the dogs. I have only been able to walk my spaniel using a nose harness on his lead so was not expecting much improvement within the first session. Sally said she would see George (the springer spaniel) on his own first and what I saw was completely and utterly amazing.

She opened the garden gate and I was expecting George to leap all over Sally, but just with the use of a couple of words which she spoke very quietly, George became gradually calmer and quieter. I really wished that I had filmed it as it all happened in less than five minutes. I was absolutely gobsmacked, I really could not believe my eyes!

As if that was not enough, by the time Sally had finished the session, I had a dog that I could walk without the nose harness and mostly he would walk on a loose lead. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Sally obviously completely understands the dogs mind and how to get us humans to work well together with them. I would recommend Sally to anyone who wants a closer better working relationship with their dog.

Kath Swanton

UPDATE: After four sessions with Sally, I have two dogs that are much improved. Harvey the labrador is walking beautifully on a loose lead and this week we even let him off the lead and he behaved really well. He did not run off, he came back when he should, it was fantastic. And he is gradually getting more used to our cats.

George our springer is also much improved, he is getting calmer and is also walking so much better on the lead. In fact Sally let him off the lead and although he wasnt perfect, he is heading in the right direction. You have to work at what Sally instructs you to do, but it really is working. I am very excited about both my dogs and how they are progressing. I am still working with Sally so will send another update soon.

UPDATE: Harvey the Labrador now walks beautifully off lead by my side and also when walking through the fields he is really well behaved. He used to have a problem travelling in the car but this is pretty much under control after some sessions with Sally.

George the springer is now walking on a loose lead and generally is a much easier dog to have around. We have come miles from what he was like when I first met Sally. I really could not imagine ever having a pleasant walk without being dragged all over the place. In fact this week I have been able to walk both dogs together and it feels fantastic. I look just like a normal person walking their dogs!

Anybody thinking of using Sally and her special talents should do so, she is absolutely amazing. You need to listen and change the way you think and do things, but if you do you will definitely have a better behaved happier dog. And a happier you! It does not just happen overnight (although you want it to) and you need to work hard but the benefits reap rewards. Each little thing you change gradually adds up to a dog who is much calmer and relieved that you have taken on the act of leader of the pack. I really never thought I could get to where I am but Sally is a very good teacher and as long as you take notice you will get there. Sometimes you think "my dog will do it for Sally but not for me", but then I think if he will do it for Sally I need to learn how to get him to do it for me! Once we humans get it right the dog will follow. I cant tell you how amazing I have found this journey.

UPDATE: Today Sally has been helping me to sort out the issues over feeding time with both my dogs.

I have found it very difficult to keep them calm, they have always got very over excited when their food was about to be given to them. Today, with some gentle but assertive instruction from Sally, both dogs stayed in their beds in the kitchen whilst Sally moved their food bowls (with food in) around the kitchen floor getting nearer and nearer to the dogs and eventually she actually placed the bowl of food in the bed with the dogs without them touching it at all.

They just laid in their beds very calmly waiting to see if they were going to be allowed to eat their food. It was amazing to witness. I feel that if this issue can be solved, it will help greatly towards them understanding me to be leader of the pack. Each individual thing cements the idea of pack leader in the dogs brain. I cannot speak highly enough about how much Sally understands how dogs tick!