Photos

Dear Marcia-

Thank you so much for working with Ellie and me, yesterday!

She is a changed pup!  She has remembered a lot and what she forgets I’m trying to remind her what “I want" to see from her!  It’s working!

I will continue to work hard on establishing a wonderful healthy relationship between Ellie and me.  This is fun!  We’ll talk about a follow-up appointment shortly!

Take care!

Denise Maleska (July 15/2007)

******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

I named him Diesel because he slept under a huge banner reading "we now have Diesel" and he is  a sleek gorgeous black baby.

 

I rescued Diesel from a gas station/convenience store.  He had been living there for several months and was terrified of people. 

 

After many attempts and much creativity, he was mine.  At the vet's office

he was tested, neutered, etc.  He was observed as a very sweet,  non-aggressive dog but VERY afraid of people.

 

Once he came to live with me I spent many hours trying to get him to come to me. It was IMPOSSIBLE to put him on a leash to go for a walk.  We would literally walk in circles because he refused to let me get close to him.  He had to see me at all times!!  I was at my wit's end. I cried and he just became more and more terrified of me - although all I wanted to do was to  help him.

 

I thought about taking him to dog training, but when you can't get your pet out of his lot, how are you going to get him to training?  I called around trying to find someone that could come to my home - the best situation all around!!

 

The Humane Society told me about Marcia's Best Dogs.  After one two hour session we were walking on a leash, and going all over the yard and through the house!!

She taught me how to be in control, and how to get on his level and understand his untrusting nature.

 

We've come a long way in two and a half years, although I know that we would never be where we are today without Marcia's expert training and teaching!!

Mainly, I want to express just how terrified he was, and how much your session made with him.  It was incredible what you accomplished in two hours.  I will be forever grateful!

 

Cindy

   *****************************************************************************************************************   

Hello Marcia.

I wanted to give you an update on Holli. If you remember, you graciously came out to our home and gave us some much needed coaching about the behavior of our rescued Yellow Lab.

I'm happy to tell you that she's come 1,000% from when you saw her. For those of us living upstairs, she now greets all of us at the door when we come in, tail wagging, dancing and as happy as can be.  She is always delighted to see us in the mornings and flops all around when we greet her. She's adjusted to be a very happy puppy and does a great job listening and learning.  She still gets a little skiddish now and then when we have things in our hands or sudden loud noises arise, but she is still a puppy after all and I'm fully confident that she will grow out of that.  She is a little shy of my dad, but he does not spend any time working with her, so that is to expected.

Thank you for coaching us. It was unfamiliar territory for us, but your help was the much needed key to her sucess.

Michael L. Hague and family ( High Point) - March 27,2007

********************************************************************************************************************

Marcia,

We are still amazed at the change in Patrick after only one class with you. Twice he acted like he might like to jump up, so I turned my back to him and he immediately sat down. Those that knew the "before Patrick" are astounded at the "after" Patrick.

Thanks again. We tell all our dog owner friends about you.

Beverly Sink ( March 03,2006)

  

Patrick Sink

*********************************************************************************************************************

Hey Marcia,

Just wanted to let you know that Buddy is doing great, we still have to correct him but it is usually once or twice a day. He learns so quickly what is right and wrong, wish we had gotten in contact with you sooner, we might could have saved our furniture! Elliot and Roscoe also are enjoying the new Buddy.

Thanks again,

Kim Miller ( March 03, 2006)

*********************************************************************************************************************

Hi Marcia,

I just wanted to let you know that Max is still doing wonderful after your help. You came by last summer and helped me with his dominant behavior. He was such a little puppy then. Now he is almost a year old and about 90 pounds, and we have another lab named Abby. We implemented your training techniques wiwth her and she is doing great also. I'm enclosing a picture of them. Hope all is well with you.

Sincerely,

Pauline Johansson ( March, 22, 2006)

Max and Abby Johansson

********************************************************************************************************************

Hi,

      We just wanted to thank you for helping us become a much happier family. Balance has been restored to our household. We are no longer slaves to our barking 7lb Maltese. Today, we had a cable man come to our door and he complimented me on my well behaved dog! Ruby waited behind me without barking while I answered the door. She was so polite. There is a remarkable difference in her behavior and ours. She occasionally tests us to make sure that we are maintaining our status as pack leaders and we haven't failed her.

     

Thanks a million,

Alicia, Matt and Ruby Hurley

 

********************************************************************************************************************

Marcia

Our family brought a 9 week old Golden Retriever puppy into our home and to our surprise (and dismay)...he growled at us when we picked him up.  This was unsettling at best and after being referred to Marcia by our veterinarian, I placed a call not knowing what to expect.  We were really worried that we had gotten a puppy that would not work with our family--growling at us--and people who visit--that wouldn't be acceptable.  We were honestly considering returning him before we got too attached.

Marcia returned my frantic call quickly and came later that day to evaluate our puppy and to do training.  To say that my family & I were amazed is an understatement; We couldn't believe how Marcia took control of the puppy and the situation and then taught us all how to be the puppies pack leader; even our 10 year old daughter. 

We put into practice everything Marcia taught us and practiced exercise, discipline, & love...We were consistent and the pay off was huge; We now have a nearly 11 week old puppy who sits when he meets people...Teethes on objects...not us...Listens to commands from all of us...And, now licks our faces when we pick him up...no more growling!  He is a happy & well adjusted puppy who will grow into the same kind of dog with our consistent work & Marcia's help.

Thank you Marcia!

Lewis Family

 

Marcia,

We just wanted you to know that you do work miracles! Our dog Cindy has not been the best over the years. Horrible begging, counter surfing, acting like a goof around new people and spazing out in public. Since she is 10 years old we didn’t think that you could teach an "old dog new tricks". But you sure proved that saying wrong! After your visit we really have an entire new dog. Cindy actually fell asleep during thanksgiving dinner! No more insistent begging! Also, she is so well behaved around new people and now enjoys going to all pets considered to shop for treats.  I even took her to the office where she behaved impeccably! You have given us our best friend. Both Cindy and our Family are much happier! Thanks again for our “new” dog!

Very Truly,

The Baker Family

 

Hi Marcia!

 
Just wanted to let you know that Taco and Cleo are doing great with their behavior.  You couldn't make Cleo go to the front door if you wanted to.  Taco doesn't go either.  We practice a lot and neither one bark or move when the doorbell rings or someone comes in.
 
They haven't had ANY potty accidents either.  I'm amazed!!!!  They are so much fun to have around now.  We take them with us almost everywhere we go too and they are angels in the car.
 
Thank you again for what you did.  I have told everyone about you so you will probably be getting some calls.
 
I have attached a picture of them behaving perfectly (Cleo has had a major haircut).
 
Sincerely,
Dianne Keaney

 

Marcia

I just wanted to let you know how well little Becca is doing.  I see steady improvement in her social behavior.  I take her on daily walks in the neighborhood and she now meets other walkers and dogs well.  She is even showing interest in greeting them when they come near us.  And I continue to take her on weekly visits to the Cardinal Vet and APC where everyone picks her up and cuddles her.  She still needs a little improvement in this area, but I can tell she's doing better with each visit.  At the very least, she is getting more comfortable with the exercise.  Everyone has been kind to help me out with her training.  

I can't begin to thank you enough for all your help and guidance.  I love being able to take Becca with me wherever I can and she enjoys going.  I can tell she's much more at ease and happier now in public situations.  I have had several people comment on how well behaved she is --- and I just have to smile to myself remembering what she was like just a month ago.  Thanks so much for your expertise and we will continue to keep working on the lessons that you taught us. 

Thank you,  Susan

 

Hi marcia,

 

just wanted to thank you so much for coming to help out with roxie.  it has made such a difference.  she rarely jumps up or play bites anymore.  she knows "lay" now.  and, after only 1 time with the spray bottle, she knows not to go into the rooms with carpet.  she doesn't seem to like to go for walks yet - maybe a puppy thing???  anyway, we are all enjoying her and much more confident about training her now.  please feel free to use us as a reference if you need more.

 thanks again!!

kathy nakayama

 

We have good dogs!

Well, we've always felt this way, but still we let them own our house and
rule our lives. Monday evening changed everything, in two hours!

I can't say enough great things about Marcia Okabayashi - the trainer who
came to our house Monday night. She was here for two hours, and now it's
like a whole different world around here.

Our biggest concern was that she wouldn't be able to get on the property,
since Nipper and Toby are known biters to anyone who steps foot in our
yard. But Marcia, who has a psychology degree, quickly figured out that
it's Toby behind the Terrible Twosome. Nipper is the "front" for Toby,
who in reality has bittten more people; Nipper is actually a scaredy cat,
where Toby is the aggressor. In other words, Nipper is all bluff and
bluster, and Toby does the dirty work. ;) Sort of like the raptors in
Jurassic Park.

Anyway, we were right to be concerned. We'd arranged to meet Marcia
across the street, where she'd meet the boys, and walk with them a
little. We did all that, and the boys were great, licked her face and
loved on her. But when we got in the car and drove up to our house, they
INSTANTLY turned aggressive, just barking and clamoring to get Marcia off
the property. We wound up separating them - we put Toby in the house,
locked in a bedroom, and started over again. This time Marcia took Nipper
walking by herself, then put him in her truck and came on the property
with him, and he complied. Wade and I waited in the house, and we were
both so worried she'd come limping up the walk with her arm half-chewed
or something. But it didn't happen. She came right up to the front door
with Nipper on a leash, and he was crazy about her - again, loving on
her, licking her face.

After that, it was pretty much downhill all the way. The gist of the
story is that we've allowed Nipper and Toby to be in "protect mode" all
the time, when it should have been US determining who comes on the
property, not them. After all, they're not trained guard dogs, and were
never meant to be. They're pets, for crying out loud!

I could go on for hours about this, I'm so amazed. But suffice it to say,
Monday evening we not only had Marcia in our house, but our friend Ann
and another friend, our neighbor Kenny. Ann and Kenny were able to pet
the dogs, play with the dogs - have fun with the dogs, like it's meant to
be! For at least five years now, we've had to tell everyone to call us
ahead of time so we could lock the boys in the Dutch barn so they could
come on the property. That's all over now, believe it or not. Marcia is a
wonder!

The only foreseeable issue I can think of is that it's sooooo quiet
around here! :) I also don't know what to do with all this free time I
seem to have, since I'm not chasing dogs away from the front door every
ten minutes!! But I'm sure I'll figure it out.

--Lisa Laign and Wade Tanico