Graduate Highlight - Heather Patz

Graduated from Wonderdogs: 2005
Business Name:  Good Dog Ranch and Spa
Location: Coquitlam, BC
A Word From Heather: 

Taking Ben's professional trainers program laid the foundations for a career that I absolutely love. The program was not only informative with lecture material, but also had the emphasis on practical learning that I believe a program like this needs to be successful. The fact that Ben's school is accredited is also a major contributing factor to the legitimacy of the quality of learning. 

Above all that, the experience of the program is one that I will always think of with fond memories. My dog that I brought as my learner dog, Jetta, was a recent adoption with very high drive and aggression issues with both people and dogs. Ben had the confidence to take her from me and let her run with the other dogs, which was incredibly emotional for me to see, as I wouldn't have done it on my own. Ben and his team also kept the learning experience fun - we were constantly going on new trips and adventures with our dogs, which really demonstrated the freedoms you can have with your dog if they are properly trained. 

My company, Good Dog, is a growing company that offers dog training, boarding and daycare. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life! Being a business owner is not for everyone, but for me, the diversity and flexibility it provides keeps me interested and challenged. The added benefit is that I get to not only work with my own dogs but get constant exposure to new dogs that I can help along the way.  

Without Ben's program, I wouldn't have had the certification and skill set to do what I love doing. I highly recommend this program. 

Heather has 2 locations, more than 15 staff working under her, and cares for 30-40 dogs per day.  


For more information on Heather Patz and Good Dog Ranch & Spa visit www.gooddog.ca.

Another Testimonial

To Who It May Concern

    I own a 2 ½ year old Rottweiler. I went through obedience training with three other trainers. Even with all this time and money spent on training, the dog was still totally out of control. He would jump up on people and was aggressive toward other dogs. It was to the point where I would only walk the dog early in the morning or late at night when no one was around. This was no fun for me or the dog. I was at my wits end. It was try another trainer or do something more drastic. Then I read an article on Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs. I decided to give him a try.

After talking to Ben he said it would take about ten sessions to fix the problems.  We started working on the dogs problems of jumping on people and his aggression towards other dogs. Within two sessions the dog was no longer jumping on people. Ben would bring his dogs out so we could fix aggression problems.  Ben told me how to correct the dog when he showed aggression, then he would work his dog around mine until mine was no longer aggressive. Within a few short sessions the dogs were playing together. We also worked on basic obedience. Ben helped me get rid of bad habits I had when doing obedience work with the dog. In the end Ben’s method of training worked where all others didn’t.

You can save yourself a lot of time, money, frustration my going to Ben to have your dog trained. I know I would have done it in the first place. I went from not being able to take the dog around people or other dogs to being able to take him anywhere. This method of training gave me back a piece of mind and saved the dog’s life.

John Boehler

Victoria. B.C

June 2012 Group Session Feedback

Smile!  Got some good feedback on our Group Session we held in June we thought we would share.

Our summer class is now running and our next intake begins September 7th.  Visit our website for more info: www.wonderdogs.ca.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

"The intensity!" 

"The bonding with my dog"

"The one on one time with the trainers"

"The consistency of the approach"

"The fast pace of the class"

"The concentrated work and expertise from staff"

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR TRAINER?

"Personable; you cared about my dog and the progress of all the dogs"

"Clear and decisive information" 

"The amount of attention we were given in a large group"

"Clear instructions and energy"

"Obviously know your subject well"  

Training Can Save Your Dog's Life!

Just received this fantastic testimonial from a client who trained their dog with us many years ago and is now training their new pup with us again.

My husband and I were travelling to the interior of BC, when we stopped at a gas station in Princeton. The gas station is right next to the highway and a bridge, and there is a trail running along the river under the bridge. Our 1 year old Australian Shepherd, Fawn, got out of the car with us. We each thought she was on the other side of the car, and when we realized that she was not with us, I began calling her.  As I walked up the bank toward the highway, I saw her. She was obeying me exactly as I had trained her and was running toward me– right toward the highway.  I yelled "down!" as loudly as I could, and she dropped right along the edge of the pavement as a pickup truck flew past. I have no doubt that if she had not been trained, and had not dropped instantly, that she would have been hit and likely killed. She lived a happy life to the age of almost 13. I am now training my second Aussie, Ghillie, who is now just a year old. I am very confident that her training with Ben will be equally important as she travels with us everywhere we go. I highly recommend Ben Kersen and the Wonderdogs training, for dogs and their people. 

Cori Barraclough
            Victoria, BC
            clbarraclough@shaw.ca

It is testimonials like this that remind me of the importance of what we as trainers do.