Success stories…
The Best Part Comes After Graduation
Some families come to us for a single program and stay for years. These are their stories: the puppies who grew up, the routines that held, and the dogs who still light up the second they realize where they’re headed.
Birdie’s Story
Four years later, she still gets excited when we pull in.
Before we found help, we were really struggling with the overwhelming side of puppyhood. Birdie was constantly biting, barking, and pulling so hard on the leash that I dreaded putting it on her. I knew she’d bite my ankles and pull, and I honestly didn’t think we’d ever enjoy a walk again.
Well Mannered Dog worked with us to set a consistent daily schedule, laid out in easy documents, and showed us how to reward good behavior. We started to see Birdie make progress, and after a day spent learning how to be the best dog she could be, we’d practice easy exercises at home.
Birdie is four now, and she’s the sweetest dog, who loves a family walk every single day.
These days she goes to daycare at Chucktown Charley once a week, and it’s such a lovely feeling not to worry about her. I know she’s having the best time in a safe place, and there’s nothing sweeter than her wagging tail at pickup. When we travel and can’t bring her along, boarding gives me the best peace of mind, because I know she’s living her best life with her Chucktown Charley family.
My advice is simple: trust the process. Birdie is a typical Golden, full of energy, always up for play, and just wanting to be loved. Well Mannered Dog helped us understand why she acted the way she did, and set realistic expectations for the sweet, still-very-playful dog she is today.
Not long ago we ran into the training team in our neighborhood, and in true Birdie fashion she marched right up and demanded her pets. That’s how I know she’s loved by the whole team.
—— Kailee I., Birdie (Golden Retriever)
Clara’s Story
We came for the training and stayed for the playcare and boarding.
Clara was an exceptionally high-energy and social puppy. As a first-time dog parent, I knew I needed help, especially with her jumping on people. What drew me to Well Mannered Dog was the focus on positive reinforcement.
Clara stayed for training Monday through Friday and came home on weekends, which turned out to be the perfect mix. She got dedicated training all week, and I learned right alongside her, so I could reinforce at home what she’d worked on.
What started as training became so much more. Clara absolutely loves Chucktown Charley, and she’s been going for two years now. Without fail, she still gets excited the second we pull up.
If I had one word for how I feel about Chucktown Charley, it’s trust. There are real security measures in place during a stay, and I see the same team members over time instead of constant turnover. Any time I text to check on her while she’s boarding, someone is happy to send an update. It comes through that this is a locally owned, women-led business.
Not long ago I boarded Clara and mentioned she’d had an upset stomach the night before. They kept an extra eye on her, and gave her chicken and rice to settle her tummy. So appreciated.
—— Julia T., Clara (Goldendoodle)
Renoir’s Story
It just makes for a happier household.
His path with us: Puppy Base Camp → Calm Perception → Freedom
I got Renoir after I lost my last dog, and honestly, the early days were hard. The breeder chose him for me, and he came with a lot of issues. He was sick a great deal at first, with bad stomach problems, and one night everything seemed to go wrong at once. He was the most challenging puppy I’d ever had, and there were moments I wanted to give him back.
I’d worked with Well Mannered Dog before and trusted them, so I went back. His training came in stages over a long stretch, building as he was ready, and at one point his barking got bad enough that he stayed with the team for a while. I had to be patient, and they were patient with both of us. What surprised me was how quickly he picked things up once we got going.
It paid off. He’s calmer and steadier now, and while he’s still a bit of a work in progress, somewhere along the way he became the most loving dog I’ve ever owned in my entire life.
That’s really why we never left. Renoir still goes to Chucktown Charley for daycare, and he’s boarding with them again. My advice to anyone getting a puppy is to invest in the training early. You’re going to have your dog for a long, long time.
—— Elaine B., Renoir (Golden Retriever)
More happy endings, more wagging tails
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Every dog on this page began with one conversation.
Tell us where you are and what you’re hoping for, and we’ll help you take the right first step.