Testimonials
Success Stories:
It's amazing how many clients we've had over the years, and if the dogs could talk I'm sure they'd tell you how much they love coming to Performance Dogs. Here are a few of our coutless success stories...
"Big Max"
About a year after losing our last dog “Peaty” to cancer, we adopted “Max” (a two and a half year old male Anatolian Shepherd mix) from a no kill sanctuary in
Their training consisted of them demonstrating the handling and obedience techniques that we should be using with one of their show dogs that performed like a robot. Then they would sit on the sidelines and critique us on our poor technique as we struggled with Max. Not ONCE did they EVER hold Max’s leash, address him or attempt to interact with him in any way. Well, a couple thousand dollars later and after months of keeping Max crated except for walks (at their insistence), we were told that Max could not be socialized or broken of his aggressive behaviors and that we should have him euthanized! They offered us a refund on our remaining classes, which we gladly took and RAN as fast as we could!
Approximately 2 years passed with us enjoying Max at home, but being extremely cautious (always muzzled) with him whenever there was a possibility that he might encounter a stranger or another dog.
In early June of this year, my wife was looking around on the web to see if there were any type of pack activities that we might be able to get Max involved in and one of the people she ran into on a message board referred her to Steve and the Performance Dogs operation.
Still a bit skeptical due to our past experience, we set up an introductory Saturday session. Anyone that saw Max’s behavior that day would have agreed that he was going to be a handful for anyone. He was trying to break out the glass in the back of our truck to get to the other dogs, and once we got him out of the truck, he was lunging at anything and everything that was strange to him. Steve came over and using 3 of his pack dogs to gauge Max’s intentions, made a quick assessment of Max’s level of aggression. He proceeded to explain to us that he was confident that he and his pack could help Max become the stable dog that he should be. The only condition was that we would have to forget all the bad things we’d been told about Max and let him get a fresh start.
We initially signed up for the 10 session Social Behavior Modification package and sent Max out on his own to his first two weekday workouts. We were amazed to hear that Max had done well and by the end of the second day, was running with the pack off leash with only minor corrections required.
Our first Saturday with Max and the pack (21 other dogs...I counted) was amazing! To see Max, who we’d NEVER thought could be off leash at all (not to mention with 21 other dogs AND their owners) running, jumping, swimming and having the best time of his life was unbelievable.
Since then, we’ve finished the SBM package and signed Max up for 12 weekend sessions. We all look forward to every Saturday now, and Max knows exactly where he’s headed when we put his special collar on him and head for the truck.
Had we been foolish enough to take the advice of the first “professionals” we dealt with, we’d have deprived ourselves of the sheer joy of seeing Max outdoors and running free. The team at Performance Dogs has helped us to realize what a great dog we had all along.
Whether your dog has problems to be addressed, or you just want someplace safe to take them for a healthy workout where the owners and trainers work together to maintain control of their dogs, I highly recommend Steve and his team at Performance Dogs. They’ve truly been lifesavers for Max and us.
Sincerely,
Mark, Priscilla,
"Max" Church
Please read what I have to say if in any way you are considering getting rid of your dog. I came within hours of getting rid of my dog and I am so glad that I didn’t.
I have a dog that is ½ terrier and ½ lab (I believe). I have had Max (my dog) since he was eight (8) weeks old and he has been treated so good, maybe too good. Max started acting out when he turned about three (3) years old. He started going under the coffee table and dining room table and when we tried to get him out he would try biting at the glass above him and acting like he would take our arm off if we got too close. I am sure he would have bitten someone eventually if we did try to physically get him out. Max then started lying on my bed and not letting anyone near my bed but me. He was dominating the entire house!
I had put up with this for way too long and tried everything that I knew to correct him but nothing worked. I finally made the decision to get rid of Max even though it was breaking my heart. I stopped at the Starbucks in Reston one morning (the morning I was going to get rid of Max) and a white van pulled up next to me with a pit bull sitting in the passenger seat and Performance Dogs written on the side. I saw Steve get out of the van and head towards Starbucks also. I stopped him to question him about Max’s behavior and how I hated the thought of having to get rid of him. Steve asked me to give him a chance with Max which just so happened to work great since I was going out of town for a week on business.
I wanted to introduce Max to Steve before my leaving and asked Steve to come by. When Steve came to the door I had Max in my bedroom behind closed doors. Steve said to turn him loose and I just knew that this would be the beginning of the end. Max came running out towards Steve but through his many years of training dogs Steve knew exactly what to do. So instead of it being the end it was the beginning of something new. Steve took Max, I went on my trip and when I got back I would have sworn that the dog I came home to was not my dog.
I cannot begin to explain to you how Max changed. He no longer lays under tables, lays on my bed, dominates the house, etc.
This great beginning started in 2006 and to this day Max is still with Steve and Performance Dogs. My Max is a totally different dog, attitude and all! I will never be able to thank Steve enough for how he saved me from getting rid of my best friend.
I am begging anyone out there that if you are considering getting rid of your dog to please put your trust and faith in Steve. He will NOT let you down!
If you have any questions at all please feel free to call me.
Patty Church
703.593.1582
To hear it from our clients in person just stop by the Performance Dogs Park on any Saturday from 10am - 1pm. Our Saturday sessions are for the dogs and their owners to come and enjoy the park. Bring your dog for a free evaluation, and a chance to hear stories like these face to face.