Testimonials

Peter & Carol Travisano – “We can’t imagine a better trainer”

October 29, 2020 by

We are the owners of Brady a White German Shepard who came to us as wild twice re-homed 7-month old puppy. We were determined not to re-home him again and contacted Sharon Wachsler for dog training. After six months I am happy to say Brady is well on his way to becoming a well-trained dog and a wonderful pet.

Sharon is an extremely dedicated trainer. Her approach is completely positive with both the dogs she works with and their owners. She prepares her training lessons thoroughly with written details and handouts and reviews videos of the training owners do between lessons. We completely trust her recommendations and can’t imagine a better trainer. She has our highest recommendation.

“Each time, my confidence grows” – Lucy Leete, Intern & pet/therapy dog client

August 6, 2020 by

I met Sharon several years ago, when I brought home a puppy from the shelter and realized I had a lot to learn about socializing puppies. I have worked with many dogs and trainers over the years, and hoped to refine my knowledge of training with Sharon. What struck me right away about Sharon is her honesty and the depth of her training skills. I had hoped to train my pup to be a therapy dog, and Sharon saw right away that this was not the right fit for her. So instead I began to train the dog in front of me. (Thank goodness for both of us!)

Smiling woman with short blond hair hiking in the woods next to a stream filled with rocks. A brown short-haired dog on a leash is sniffing a log. — Lucy Leete with Tillie

In doing so, I was able to see what mattered to me, as well, and what kind of relationship I hoped to develop with Tillie. Thanks to Sharon’s patience, and thoroughness, I’ve been able to do the kind of training with Tillie that she needed, and as a result, I am so lucky to have the best hiking partner ever! Ironically, I’m pretty sure Tillie did become a therapy dog.

I later interned with Sharon and was able to observe the layers of knowledge and skills she brought to both human and canine client. She helped people to clarify their expectations of their dog and then helped them to to create attainable goals which sustained and then enriched their relationship with the dog they lived with. I learned so much about training, of course- but also about teaching people! She leaves room for people to decide what training they do or don’t want to accept without judging them. Sharon’s dedication to evidence based, positive training, coupled with her understanding of the canine/human relationship has without a doubt enhanced the quality of life for both many many times.

I am a much better trainer as a result- and frequently return to Sharon now with questions or new goals as they arise. Each time I return, I learn something new, and my confidence in my ability to set and achieve attainable goals for Tillie and I grows.

Intern Brittany Miller: “Thank you for changing my entire perspective on training”

July 16, 2020 by

I hope you’ve been well through the pandemic. It’s been great keeping up with what’s happening over your facebook page! I wanted to share some happy and sad news – the pups and I will be moving to North Carolina next month. I’m very sad to leave this area. I have so many great supports out here, you included!

Nova and I would not be the team we are today without you. She continues to grow and improve every day. I’m not sure if she’ll ever graduate as a service dog due to her stress levels around loud/surprising noises, but she has grown into an amazing therapeutic support dog for me in my work, and can do a lot of public access work with her tasks especially when I’ll be outside most of the time.

Brittany sits at a food court table with Nova lying underneath

Thank you for changing my entire perspective on training. You were patient with me, and let me learn in my own time the power of positive reinforcement.

I’m also happy about this move because I’ll be able to bring everything I’ve learned up here down to a new area and new job. I’m going to pursue my masters in social work so I can offer animal assisted therapy. I hope to stay in touch, and maybe if you keep up virtual classes we could take some once we’re settled down there!

I always recommend you to anyone in the area looking to train their dog or get a service animal. I know you’re filling up, but you’re a one-of-a-kind resource and I hope a few of them do get in contact.

All the best from me and the Aussies!
Brittany, Nova & Koda

“Nothing short of exceptional” – Heidi Feichtinger & Rudy

July 14, 2020 by

I’m writing this letter to thank Alex so much for all their help with Rudy. As a long-time dog owner who has worked with many dogs and trainers in the past, I have to say that the services Alex provides is nothing short of exceptional.

I adopted Rudy last July 2019 as a companion dog, with the goal of training to do therapy work. When I first got him, he was everything I was looking for: calm and easy going, responsive and eager to learn, great with all different types of people and animals, and adaptive to different environments. Then, about 3 months later . . . he started demonstrating some hypervigilance and fear-based reactivity. The best decision I ever made was scheduling a comprehensive evaluation, and engaging in individual sessions!

Black dog wearing orange harness lies in sun

I am relieved and excited to say that with ongoing daily training/socialization, Rudy is starting to return to his happy-go-lucky self, but I have no doubt this would not be the case without Alex. Their clarity and attunement to Rudy’s strengths and challenges, skillfulness in breaking down larger goals into specific training exercises, calm but enthusiastic presence, and genuine care and kindness throughout in guiding my process with Rudy has been invaluable.

Although it is yet unclear whether Rudy has the desire and traits needed to succeed in a therapy dog role, I feel much more confident in my ability and skill set to help Rudy work through his adolescence (and potential rescue dog baggage), all the while increasing our communication and deepening our bond.

Thank you so much, and looking forward to continued individual sessions and classes!

“A skilled trainer steeped in evidence-based methodology” – Sara Munro

June 17, 2020 by

I learned a lot working with Sharon, and highly recommend her as a consultant for trainers taking on service dog cases.

An invaluable resource, she’s highly experienced and very knowledgeable, and will help you avoid common pitfalls while exceeding your training expectations. Not only do I appreciate that she is a serious and skilled trainer steeped in evidence-based training methodology, but I loved that she’s aware, thoughtful and caring and has an eye out for the emotional and physical welfare of both the human and the dog.

I can’t say enough good things about my experience working with her, and am so glad I reached out for her expertise. I look forward to working again with her in the future, and am glad to know that I now have another fabulous resource to enhance the training experiences and outcomes of my clients.

Sara Munro, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CSAT

A woman with long light-brown hair stands with six dogs sitting around her — Sara Munro teaching dogs

“We could not have asked for more” Karen Rowe with Ziggy & Marley

May 25, 2020 by

Karen and Jon contacted us for training with their two miniature poodles, Ziggy and Marley. Soon after we started, their daughter’s puppy, Luna, also joined the family. Due to COVID-19, all of our sessions, from the behavior consult through all the lessons, were online. Here’s an email update from Karen.

A white miniature poodle sits on a car seat with a brown miniature poodle peeking out behind — Ziggy and Marley

Hi Sharon,

Ziggy has responded beautifully to the tighter training off leash with Marley and has not had a single episode of lunging and barking ferociously at her since we started this new off leash method.

Ziggy is also doing much better since we have Luna and him separated except for training when we reward him for looking her way or late at night when they are all cuddled into one of us. He seems to enjoy looking at her for the most part now. Marley is getting along great with Luna and is a peach.

Ziggy does especially well with his thunder shirt and seems a lot calmer. I have ordered the composure and its arriving today. We understand this will take time for Ziggy to adjust to all these changes and we are trying to take it slowly for him and Luna.

We are so grateful for our work with you and our dogs. The positive changes in their behavior are remarkable. Thanks for everything you have done to help with this transition. You do wonderful work. We could not have asked for more from any dog trainer. See you this Friday.

“I really enjoyed it!” Katie Chappell & Greyson – online private lessons

March 25, 2020 by

Katie contacted Sharon for Day School for her puppy, Greyson. He was making good progress in his training.

Gray puppy with wavy fur lying on white towel that says At Your Service. — Greyson as a puppy training to go lie on a mat

Then, the COVID pandemic hit. Since Katie and Greyson both had foundation skills, we were able to switch to both outdoor lessons (for leash manners, stranger reactivity, and working around distractions) as well as virtual lessons (for foundations in down-stay, leave it, ring a bell to go out, and getting Greyson comfortable with grooming clippers).

After Katie and Greyson’s first virtual lesson, she said…

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I didn’t think it would be that effective, but I thought it went great!

Having the video to watch as a playback is great to watch and see the correction Sharon is giving in detail afterwards. So for the future I don’t do the same thing and need to be corrected on that piece. As so much of dog training is also truly owners training. I really enjoyed it.

Now an adolescent, Katie gets coaching to train Greyson to stay on his mat

“Wonderful!” Service Dog Task Training – Carol Riordan and Finn

March 25, 2020 by

Carol and Finn were referred to At Your Service for service dog task training by their local pet dog trainer. They traveled from the Berkshires for their initial service dog consultation and owner lessons. Then the pandemic required us to transition to virtual lessons. Carol was so delighted with Finn’s first online lesson that she spontaneously shared her happiness with Sharon:

Finn and I thank you! You are a great instructor and trainer. You’re wonderful! The way you are so organized and provide immediate feedback and make yourself available.

Your notes are amazing. I don’t know how you manage to crystallize everything so perfectly. At the beginning of each week, I print them out and highlight them until I know how to do it.

This online process works wonderfully. I didn’t think it would work this well! I’m very pleased. I don’t think Finn or I would have gotten more out of seeing you in person. (Although of course it is nice to see you in person!)

Finn seems very proud of himself. Now he is tired and ready for a nap!

“It may even be better” Diana Coccoluto & Phoebe

March 25, 2020 by

Diana contacted At Your Service for training for her very fearful new Chihuahua, Phoebe. We started with a behavior consultation and then lessons. Then the COVID pandemic hit, and we switched to virtual lessons. Diana is not experienced with technology, but Sharon talked her through it. At the end of Phoebe’s first online lesson, here’s what Diana said:

I’m surprised it has worked as well as it did!

In a way, I think it may even be better than when you came here. I pay more attention to you and your instructions. I’m not so distracted looking at the dog.

Phoebe learning to Sit (for Phoebe even to be comfortable taking treats from Diana’s hand was an accomplishment!)

“I recommend her whole heartedly” – Family Pet Veterinary Services

February 22, 2020 by

Our office has utilized Sharon for the past few years and we have been very impressed with her level of professionalism as well as how pleased our clients have been with her services. She has a solid behavioral background as well as extensive training experience. She communicates well with both clients and our office. We get a full written report on any work done with patients that we have referred to her.

Sharon has been providing both in home training as well as group classes for clients. Her methods are reward-based and effective.

I recommend her whole heartedly.

Sincerely,

Sue Ellen Mowcomber, DVM