Dog Training Testimonials  | Reviews

There are few words I can think to adequately express our gratitude for the work that Andrew with The Canine Training Center has done with Duncan, our 10 month-old Golden Retriever. I first found Andrew via facebook. A friend had "liked" The Canine Training Center page. I made an appointment with Andrew for the free consultation and knew immediately after meeting with him that we would be training with him. Andrew's love for dogs is obvious and his passion for training them is even more so. Not only is Andrew great with the dogs themselves but he is also very personable making him very easy to talk to about training. He is always eager to answer any and all questions during the entire training process - before training begins, during training and even after making himself available via phone and email. We started first with the group classes and of to adequately express our gratitude for the work that Andrew with The Canine Training Center has done with Duncan, our 10 month-old Golden Retriever. I first found Andrew via facebook. A friend had "liked" The Canine Training Center page. I made an appointment with Andrew for the free consultation and knew immediately after meeting with him that we would be training with him. Andrew's love for dogs is obvious and his passion for training them is even more so. Not only is Andrew great with the dogs themselves but he is also very personable making him very easy to talk to about training. He is always eager to answer any and all questions during the entire training process - before training begins, during training and even after making himself available via phone and email. We started first with the group classes and we graduated with Duncan being able to do the basics...sit, down, come, stay, wait. We were so pleased with these results that we decided to take it a step further and we graduated with Duncan being able to do the basics...sit, down, come, stay, wait. We were so pleased with these results that we decided to take it a step further and send Duncan to the IKT (In Kennel Training) program. Duncan is quite "stubborn"! I knew he was trainable but also knew that he would better benefit from a more focused training...something that I, a working mom of 3 kids, could not find the time to do. Dropping Duncan at training and leaving him for 2 weeks was so hard. I cried when I left him (and I thank Andrew for being sensitive to that!) At the end of 2 weeks after 2 private training sessions with Andrew and Duncan (where Andrew handed over the reins) I took Duncan home and continued our training. That was where the real fun began! The change in Duncan's behavior is AMAZING to say the least! It is a blast now to take my dog out. Walking him is a joy where before it was painful - literally. He would nearly pull my arm out of the socket while walking! No more does that happen! Duncan comes when calls, heels like a champ (my 7 year-old can now walk him with a "loose leash" around the neighborhood and he weighs more than she does! That is so cool to watch!) Duncan is just a pure joy! And, finally to those who may have concerns about getting a "different" dog back after training I say "no worries'!! Duncan is still the same, goofy golden retriever. He still runs for the freezer when he hears it open and now sits patiently waiting for his ice cube "treat". He still turns over for belly rubs! The only thing that has changed is that he now has manners!!! And, he now has added one more person to the list of those who love him! No one will show your dog more patience and love than Andrew with The Canine Training Center! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Even several years after his initial IKT (aka Board and Train), Tucker is still so well behaved. I've never owned a dog before whose company was ALWAYS a pleasure like his is. I'm so proud of him and absolutely love showing him off and bragging about him. Everywhere Tucker and I go together people comment on how extraordinary he is. Even his veterinarian is amazed that a dog of his size and energy level is one of her best patients. The CTC has given my family a real gift; I'm even convinced that his good behavior has been a positive influence on my children.
- Brian R.

INCREDIBLE! AMAZING!  What a difference 2 weeks made when our 16-month old energetic yellow lab went to Andrew's in-kennel training program! The transformation was stunning. The dog who came home was both more confident and obedient, but as important, retained her lively personality. I had interviewed many trainers before Andrew, and until I spoke to him, I had not found someone who had a great rapport with both dog and owner. Andrew brings unbridled enthusiasm, combined with knowledge, patience and kindness, to his dog training program, and his love and respect for dogs is obvious from the moment one meets him. Our lab, who was very attached to me, adored Andrew from the start. In fact, I was a little disappointed that after being away from home for almost 2 weeks, the dog happily trotted away with Andrew and did not even look back after my first lesson with the dog a day before her return home. From the moment we picked our lab up after her training, it was apparent that Andrew had taught her that humans were her pack leaders and that she looked to us for guidance and direction. Despite owning 4 dogs in the past, we had not previously used the services of a professional. What a mistake! After this experience, I would immediately bring a new puppy to Andrew to avoid well-intentioned mistakes and frustration (both to dog and owner). It was well worth the time and expense! Our dog now knows what we expect from her and is eager to please. We are grateful that post-training, Andrew is readily available to answer questions that arise, and we look forward to more advanced training in the future. Andrew's services are a gift to dogs and the people who love them.

-Karen Z.

Andrew, I just wanted to take a minute and write you to thank you. Jasper is AMAZING. He is the best dog anyone could ever ask for. We've been taking family walks together, all of us with him, and he just does exactly what he's supposed to. All of my friends and our neighbors are just amazed with how good he is. We keep hearing things like, "I wish my dog behaved like that!" and "I can't believe he's so young, and already trained so well!" and (this one is my favorite) "Now I want a dog!" Haha. Training with you was the best decision we could have made. He stays in a calm "down" command for as long as we leave him, and my toddlers are able to pet and love on him, which he LOVES. All the kids adore him, especially Alex. He already knows that she is "his girl". He watches every move she makes, waiting for her to give him a command, and responds to each command she gives. We are SO happy with him. I think I knew we were going to come home to a pretty well behaved puppy, but goodness, he's just perfect. We've been doing our best to continue the training with all the wonderful advice you've given us during his pre IKT training sessions, and the post. I appreciate you working with him, and with us so so much. Thank you for working around our vacation schedule, and helping to make our dream of having a wonderful dog a reality. I've given a few people your information, and will continue to advertise you to anyone and everyone who sees and asks about Jasper. I do hope maybe it will eventually bring some more business your way. Again, thank you SO SO much. Have a blessed day.
- Elizabeth A.

"Within a very short visit, we knew that Andrew and Sandy were a good match. Andrew's sensitive approach to canine training is very effective. He is firm, yet loving. Sandy responded with her usual desire to please and a quick understanding of what is expected of her. The bonus is how successful Andrew is in training us. He assesses the owners and makes adjustments along the way to help everyone feel really comfortable while their pet is learning and growing."
- Mary and Earl

When I was at a loss for an effective training technique, after trying the usual methods and longing for a well-behaved dog that I could control and feel confident walking, Andrew was recommended. Thus began a wonderful journey of releasing my 180 lb English Mastiff to Andrew’s confident and capable care for two weeks. I missed her immensely but knew she was under the care of someone who truly loved dogs and had a fantastic training technique and demeanor. I was very impressed with his quiet confident nature and vast knowledge of dogs and their body language. After I returned to pick her up, I knew I had made the right decision. Before going to Andrew, Nellie was very shy and scared of all noises. She would not want to leave the property and would want to run home on our walks and with her weight, she would win. I could no longer control her because of her weight and she was beginning to think she was the queen of the house, yard and our other dog. Andrew taught her the basic commands of come, sit, down, stay, free and what was more exhilarating to me, she walked beside me with confidence and listened immediately to a command. I could tell she had grown fond of Andrew with the longing glances back to him for her confidence. As I was taught by Andrew to take control with the proper techniques she had already learned, I also became confident and Nellie became confident in our partnership. The money spent was MORE than worth the many many many hours of pleasure we share together now.

I now am so grateful that Nellie has a loving place to stay when we vacation and I know she is adored and cared for as I would. Andrew is not only a wonderful trainer, but a person of character and a true professional. We had her kenneled with him for a week long cruise in February and then the blizzards hit and we were stranded in Puerto Rico. Andrew graciously agreed to keep her until we could get home, WHICH WAS ANOTHER WEEK! It is difficult to find a place for a large breed dog that can accommodate the breed and appreciate and love them at the same time.

Nellie now listens immediately without the equipment even on. We take long walks and still do some showing off when people are watching. She stops and sits next to me and does all commands promptly – well, as promptly as a Mastiff does things. She is a pleasure thanks to Andrew and she knows she will be well cared for and loved with us and at the Canine Training Center for the rest of her life.

-Denise T.

Zillions Stars......I am in awe of Andrew's ability and knowledge of dogs. I first met Andrew early Oct 2009 after falling in love with a dog at the Howard Count Pound. A beautiful, loving dog with a huge square face and very very solid. Turned out I fell in love with an American Pit Bull, Coco is her name, she sat on my foot, leaned against my leg and looked up at me and the eyes said take me home. Well, knowing nothing about pit bulls except of all the bad stuff everyone hears in the news thought, Coco must be different and home she came!!!!! That was on a Saturday and by the next Saturday, Coco and I were meeting with That was on a Saturday and by the next Saturday, Coco and I were meeting with Andrew. It appears that CoCo may have been a fighting pit and was quickly taking control on the home front. I like to say that CoCo was in "rehab" with Andrew for 3 weeks. She wears an electric collar. At first, I wasn't sure about the electric collar but during one of our first classes she showed me her full fighting stance and strength. That moment is etched in my mind and Andrews calm voice asking for the leash and oh yes the control......here Andrew, I'm still new at this!!!!!! That was back in 2009 and here it is seven months later and CoCo is doing wonderful, will always wear the collar, we continue to go to weekly classes and I continue to learn. Andrew has been so patient with me, I laugh to myself sometimes......sure CoCo gets to wear the collar to be reminded......sure the dogs get it, it's us adults that have the difficult task of trying to remember. CoCo is the most gentle dog when we are together or when she and I go for a walk. I can't thank Andrew enough for how he has helped CoCo. There aren't enough stars in the sky to rate Andrew's skill in training. An amazing person, with a wonderful love of dogs.
- Karen M.

We had begun to wonder whether our Golden/Yellow Labrador retriever was not too bright, chronically stubborn, or too smart. One minute into Andrew's training program and she was paying attention and proving she was a very smart dog, indeed. Andrew carefully taught us how to implement the program. Our biggest worry is a busy road with dogs on the other side that tempt her to cross. Now she is trained to stay on her side. We are very pleased because she has much more freedom than she would have had with an invisible fence and is one extremely happy dog.
- Ken & Ellen N."

Andrew, Nika and Kaya are doing well. The dogs come when called, sit and down on command and walk so much better. I have taken them both out for walks which I would never have done in the past. When I take them out in public they are so much easier to control. People have commented in the Vet’s office how well behaved they are now. You are a professional at what you do, and you just need to get the word out about your services, at which point I’ll have to wait for months for you to train our next dog!
- Jen H.

Andrew, I just wanted to let you know that things are going really, really, really well! I've been able to let him off the leash to go into the woods as you had been doing. This morning I had him sit on the coffee table for his shot, it was the first time in over a year that I didn't need someone to hold him for me. Teddy is great! I've started letting him off the leash to go to the bathroom, so far so good. I'm keeping the ball and controlling when and for how long he and Tobias play. It works much better that way! Tuesday night they were playing and Teddy actually dropped the ball at Adam's feet 4 times for Adam to throw it!!! He still has a long way to go with Adam but there is some progress. About crating - I'm amazed at how easily they've taken to it. They're in the crates whenever I'm not home, when we eat dinner and for sleeping. Beau apparently likes the crate so much that if Teddy is too slow, Beau will get into his crate. Teddy, on the other hand, doesn't want to go into Beau's crate. Everyone in our house refers to you as the miracle worker!
- Barbara T.

Andrew, Just wanted you to know Coale is doing great! People have stopped and commented on his new behavior. He hasn't tried to snap at us once and I even tripped over him today, caused some pain I'm sure! I've walked him in the yard without a lead and he stayed with me. Thank you for whatever you did to create this turn around!
- Connie M.

Andrew did a wonderful job training our dog. His initial training with our dog started her off in the right direction, and then he taught my wife and I how to follow through so we could continue the process. The training has made our dog a much more delightful companion. I can highly recommend Andrew.
- Jeffery P.

The first and last trainer you and your dog will ever need!! As a first time dog owner, I was certain my dog needed to be trained but wasn't sure how to get started. I was ecstatic to discover Andrew and the Canine Training Center!! Andrew's training techniques provided my dog with the skills to learn and provided me with the skills to implement commands successfully and consistently. I would highly recommend Andrew and CTC for any dog owners!!
- Krysta H.

We have a 12-week-old chocolate lab that has attended several classes with CTC and Andrew Wildesen. It has been such a pleasure working with Andrew. He is very easy to talk to and always has a great way of explaining things so that we understand why we are doing the training a certain way. Already, with only a few classes, I feel very confident that Bode will exceed my expectations. My husband and I look forward to working more with Andrew in the upcoming years.
- Kate W.

We have an 80 pound black lab, which we got as a puppy. From day 1, we began our own training with Callahan, such as sit, down, stay, heel and off/take. The CTC was recommended to us as a way to formalize the training we had already started, since an 80-pound puppy can be a bit of a handful. Andrew was very friendly and we were very impressed by his well-behaved dogs. We were very hesitant going in about the use of the "shock collar" and that such a rigorous training program (the two week in kennel training) would change the demeanor of our loving and playful pup. Though we're glad Andrew was the one to do the initial shock collar training, he taught us the proper way to use it and we see the benefits, though Callahan is now so well behaved we use it mostly as a reminder (putting on the collar, but rarely sending "shocks"). Also, Cal is still the loving and friendly, super playful pup - only now he listens all the time! We are constantly receiving compliments on how well behaved our dog is, and we have Andrew and the CTC to thank. We were also impressed with Andrew's time spent with us, the owners, to teach us how to continue Callahan's training at home, and his availability to answer any and all questions we have. We highly recommend Andrew and the CTC - best money we ever spent for our dog!
-Anne C.

The CTC and Andrew Wildesen were recommended to me by a friend whose dogs I noticed were very well behaved both on and off lead. I was hoping to get even a small measure of the success she was having with her dogs. I took my two larger dogs to meet Andrew. We decided that IKT (In Kennel Training) was best for Kurmet, my new, younger dog who had never received any form of training. I wondered if I had someone else train my dog, how he would learn to listen to me. I didn't have to worry about that because at the end of the IKT program, Andrew taught ME how to continue to train Kurmet! I started to apply those same techniques with Barney, my older, previously trained dog and I noticed a big improvement in him. In a few months, as Kurmet got older, unfortunately, he and Barney started to have male dominance issues. They were having fights that were so bad, I thought I would need to give Kurmet back to the rescue organization. Around the same time, CTC started their group classes. Andrew suggested that my daughter and I began attending these classes with both dogs and we did additional exercises as Andrew directed. Barney and Kurmet now play together, lay on the same doggie mattress, and drink water from the same dish at the same time! Things I would never have fathomed before. Most recently, I was preparing to go on a trip out of the country and would be leaving my dogs with my father. Kurmet, however, was very afraid of him. He would bark and look as if he were going to attack him! Once again, Andrew came to our rescue. My father attended one class with us and Andrew gave us some things to do at home. Two weeks later, my father was caring for all three dogs with no problems! The change in my doggie family has been like night and day!! I appreciate all of the help that Andrew has given me. All of my dogs are much more well behaved and therefore very happy. I've learned to trust the process and apply the things he has taught me to various situations as they arise. This is the first training program with which I have been so impressed that I can 100% say I would enroll any future dogs!
-Cara, human mommy to Princess, Barney, and Kurmet

Andrew is amazing. He worked wonders with our 8 yr old beagle/jack Russell that barked at every dog no matter how big or small. She would bark uncontrollably and was quite embarrassing in public. She wouldn't listen and would pull on the leash until she nearly choked herself. Now, she doesn't jump up on people, but waits to be pet. She responds to commands readily and is now a joy to take walking in the park. Aside from the occasional Great Dane, she pretty much ignores other dogs and doesn't bark at them. Thanks Andrew, my husband and I are forever grateful!
-Cheryl C.

I have always admired other people's well-behaved dogs. But after meeting Andrew and getting a recommendation from Club Pooche, I enrolled Winston in two weeks of IKT. I was concerned that the electronic collar would be cruel - totally false. And my concerns that the training would breaks the dog's spirit was equally unfounded. I now owe a beautiful happy dog that is well mannered. Winston turns heads with the wonderful way he listens, heels and is even beginning to walk off leash.
-Carol R.

I first located the CTC by digging around on Google but didn't actually call until I also received a spontaneous recommendation from the owner of Club Pooche. So glad we did! Our Mini Bull Terrier puppy, Ivan underwent two weeks IKT and has been attending follow up training with them, too. Andrew and the CTC have not only produced an amazing change in our little guy but he's helped "train" our family, as well. We feel comfortable that we understand the principles needed to keep Ivan on track and well behaved. Ivan adores Andrew and we truly appreciate the open and flexible support/coaching he's given us. We unreservedly recommend the CTC to any dog-owner.
- Wade P.

The CTC is excellent. Fleury came to us in November after being rescued. He had habits of jumping and nipping at people and pulling on the leash. He spent two weeks with Andrew and what a difference. He is a pleasure to walk and no longer is jumping or nipping at people. We also attend the weekly sessions. I have certainly learned how to modify my behavior :). Our neighbors are amazed at the change. All of us (that includes Fleury) are happy with the results. Andrew is just fantastic.
- Janet R.

The CTC did excellent job in training my dog, Dexter. He went from being nearly uncontrollable to the most obedient dog I have ever seen. The 2-week training regimen went beyond surface-level obedience and really made him into a member of the family. All this, and the price was half as much as anywhere else I looked!
- Matt B.