We just wanted to thank you for all the help you provided us for our dogs. We have had our Chihuahua, Zeus, for 9 years and he is definitely has the typical Chihuahua attitude. We were having problems with his incessant barking at company and anytime our doorbell would ring. He would often bark for an hour after someone had rang the doorbell. Even worse, he had started snipping at our 18 month old daughter and becoming very possessive over the couch.

As if that wasn’t enough, we then added a Doberman puppy, Diesel, to our family. Diesel needed obedience training and had a lot of behavioral problems that need to be corrected. He was counter surfing, tearing out the grass, jumping, and having some housebreaking issues. He and Zeus were also not getting along, with constant growling and barking from Zeus and Diesel antagonizing the behavior.

I felt like our house was in constant chaos and knew we needed to do something. I was at Petsmart and actually saw a car in the parking lot advertising Well Mannered Dog Training Charleston. I jotted down their website, came home and scheduled a consultation immediately. We were able to get an appointment right away and started training within a week despite it being the week of Thanksgiving.

Tanya was our trainer and she was fantastic! She really listened to what we had to say and provided easy, realistic ways to correct the problems we were having. She was also able to give us multiple solutions to each problem, which was really helpful when one didn’t work as well. We saw improvements in the dogs each time we met with Tanya.

After our lessons, we now have peace and quiet in our home again. Diesel is now 8 months , and although he is still an active puppy, he is doing awesome! He is calm in the house and more importantly, responds to us when he does start to get out of hand. Zeus is doing much, much better and we now know the proper techniques to correct and control his behavior.

I would strongly recommend Well Mannered Dog Training to anyone who has dogs. My parents are actually getting a puppy this weekend and I am giving them the information so they can call and get started.

Jezebel the Shiba Inu

On January 19th at dinner time my dog Jezebel, my 2 year old Shiba Inu had decided that because I didn’t want to share my meal with her that she was going to bite me instead. This had happened several times prior but over her bones,

I realized at this point that I had absolutely no control over her and I needed to change that right away. I looked through the yellow pages and found Well Mannered Dog Training Charleston and called them right away. The ad caught my attention it said ” train any dog at any age!”

I had just moved to Charleston when I spoke with the office manager Allison. I told her about my issues with Jezebel, I told her to send me best trainer and she did, she sent me Tanya.

Client with Shiba Inu and Maltese

Tanya helped explain a dog’s behavior and we worked on Jezebel’s food aggression, she gave me some great tips on regaining control. We also went over the place command, and to sit and stay and come when called. These issues are continuing to be solved and everyday Jezebel becomes a better dog. I am so grateful to have met Tanya. After an eight week program where she came out twice a week my life is 100% better. Meals times are now great and Jezebel knows her place.

I would recommend Tanya and Well Mannered Dog Training Charleston 24-7 to everyone that I know, and even though practice can be tough and being the boss can be even tougher, I will continue my training even now that Tanya is gone!! Thanks Well Mannered Dog Training!!!

I called Well Mannered Dog Training Charleston out of desperation following an incident where my Lab/Chow mix, Winston, bit my parents’ neighbor. Winston had a long history of aggression towards other animals, specifically other dogs, but had never bitten anyone. For years I felt anxious whenever I walked Winston and my other dog, Jay, fearing that Winston would “snap” and attack someone else’s dog. Walks had become unbearable, but I managed Winston with a “Gentle Leader” and avoided other dogs at all costs. Walks would involve cutting through my neighbor’s yards or walking in the opposite direction if another dog was approaching.

Taking Winston to my parents’ house was a nightmare due to their three dogs and four cats. Winston had “free roam” in their yard and often got himself into trouble. Winston attacked my mom’s Golden Retriever once, drawing blood. On another occasion, he attacked my mother’s Siamese cat, requiring major surgery. The other animals were always put up when Winston and I went to town, as avoidance was the way we dealt with his aggression. However, biting my parents’ neighbor was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

I was hysterical for days, crying and wondering what to do with my dog. At home Winston was gentle and loving; however, he was uncontrollable outside of my home. Many friends and family members recommended that I either find Winston a new home or put him down. I was not willing to find Winston a new home knowing that he was aggressive towards other animals and potentially people. I was completely devastated at the thought of euthanizing my loyal dog. I called different dog trainers in the Charleston area to get their prices and opinions. Two of them took days getting back to me (meanwhile, I was still hysterically crying and worrying about my dog…). The trainers that I spoke with repeatedly told me that they could not guarantee that Winston could be rehabilitated.

When I called Well Mannered Dog Training, I immediately reached a human being who could answer my questions. Within minutes, I had an appointment with Allison for later that week. Allison came to my house, listened to my concerns, and, while making no promises, reassured me that she had worked with dogs much more aggressive than Winston. Winston was allowed out of his crate to say hello and immediately showered Allison with kisses. I knew that dog training was going to be expensive and time consuming, but felt that was Winston’s last option. I was willing to make that sacrifice for my dog.

Allison was amazingly patient and accommodating to Winston and me. She first addressed my anxiety and the confusion it caused Winston. Winston was never treated as a “bad dog”, just simply a confused, over-protective dog. Allison helped me to stop thinking of my dog as a monster, and within weeks, the whole atmosphere of my house changed. Walks became enjoyable as Winston received treats whenever we saw other dogs. I began to trust him again, slowly but surely, after weeks without incident. Winston still reacted aggressively when another dog was off-leash, but his overall demeanor was much calmer. Whereas I always thought Winston was stupid, he thrived with training and proved to be a quick learner. Winston truly enjoyed training and I made an effort to work with him daily.

After Winston mastered basic commands, we introduced him to Allison’s dog. His aggression/anxiety decreased during the hour we spent with Allison’s dog. A few weeks later, a friend brought her dog over. Winston continued to make improvements, even allowing a friend’s dog to come in “his” house and smell him. My last session with Allison was spent at the dog park- a miracle in and of itself! Winston had a muzzle on, but cheerfully walked into the dog park and even allowed a few other dogs to sniff his butt. I could not have been happier with his progress.

Winston continues to make improvements. I have taken him to my parents’ house on several occasions without incident. Walks are significantly less stressful for both Winston and me. My family and friends have been amazed at the progress that Winston’s made- my mom even brags about us now! We are going to continue going to group classes and working on the commands that Allison taught us. I cannot thank Allison and Well Mannered Dog Training enough for saving Winston’s life. I am truly thankful for Allison’s patience, expertise, and belief in Winston.

Allison is an outstanding trainer. I am 56 years old and had never owed a dog until seven months ago. Because of the incredible job Allison did with our Yorkiepoo, we got a second dog, a Yorkie.

In addition to teaching our dogs all the normal commands, Allison was great at solving problems. She had a solution to any problems we encountered.

I have recommended Allison to several friends.

Simply put, I can not envision having a dog without professional training by Allison. Our dogs are such a pleasure about now they are properly trained.