Dog Training Testimonials

I have trained two dogs ( a Vizsla and a terrier mutt) with John at Two Bears over the last 8 years and immediately called them once my new pup arrived. Unlike the typical training class, John’s focus is on building a partnership between you and your dog, so your dog emerges feeling more secure, stable and engaged than when you start. You can actually watch your dog thinking and learning with each tiny action. If you’re serious about wanting a well-trained dog who can do anything you ask,
give them Two Bears a call.

- Rachael Thomas

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We have a now 6-month-old puppy who likes to pick up rocks. John told us instead of trying to grab them out of her mouth before she swallows them to instead bring the rock to us and get a big reward. The picture is all the rocks she has brought us. Over the weekend this behavior saved her life as she found a can of rat poison at the back of a cabinet when we weren't watching her and we only know she got it because she brought it to us! We believe she only consumed a small bit and followed all the protocols the vet recommended.

- Shannon

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Hi John, Diann!

I took Mauser to the park yesterday and she was a rock star! There were some men playing volleyball in the area next to where I was doing some drills being really loud and she stopped a couple of times to look at them but stayed focused on her drills! We did place board, perch, and the lead and toss game. They finished their game just as I was about to finish. Their cars were parked right in front of where I was doing the drills, very close. I decided to keep going to see if she would stay focused on me and she did, even though they were walking close to us/talking loud/bouncing balls and generally being really loud! A lady and puppy even walked by and Mauser stopped and looked at them for a second but then went back to drills. I had the "Let Me Be" vest on and no one approached us. Then I took her to the garden center at Lowe's to walk around. She tried to stop a couple of times but I got her attention with a treat and she did really well. The "Let Me Be" vest is sooo great!!!! People just say "beautiful puppy" and they keep walking. 🙂 Thank you!

- Anna

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Rio was a year old when we adopted him from the Longmont Humane Society. He had been mistreated by his former owners and developed some serious behavioral problems. Rio spent several weeks at the shelter and in a foster home in the hopes he could be rehabilitated and put up for adoption. Fortunately, he came far enough along to pass his evaluation and come home with us. However, within a week or so some unpleasant behaviors resurfaced. He was leery of people and lunged at skateboards and people in motion. He reacted negatively to rocking chairs, stationary bikes, even people shaking hands, and was very uncomfortable around children, including our 7-year-old granddaughter. We called John for help and began a series of training classes designed to correct these conditions. We’ve had Rio eight months now. After the initial classes with John, participation in Two Bears weekly group sessions, and daily training on our part, Rio is a different dog. He has learned all the essential obedience commands, is a strong candidate for the Canine Good Citizen award and has the potential to become a trained agility dog. If unacceptable behavior surfaces, we now have the tools to help him. The really gratifying outcome of the guidance we’ve received from John and Diann is that Rio and our granddaughter are now best buddies. He will obey her commands and even run and play with her, an outcome we thought was highly unlikely just a few short months ago. This picture of Rio and our granddaughter is testimony to the success we’ve had from the training at Two Bears.

- Toni

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We cannot say thank you enough to John and Diann. With John’s expertise, Diann’s support and a lot of dedication, we were able to help our 18-month-old, out of control rescue become the perfect family dog he was meant to be. John’s extensive knowledge of dog behavior helped us through many challenges with patience, kindness, and understanding for a dog who had been mistreated most of his life. Nothing makes us happier than having a dog who comes bounding toward us when we call him.
Thank you!

- Jen, Jeff, Colby, Trevor, & Chance

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Hello Diann and John,

I want to thank you for among many pieces of wise counsel the particular piece of advice of yours that I elected to use contrary to the suggestion of the breeder. I came to you when my black Labrador pup was about five months old and had fallen prey to a bit of over-training in my hands. John specifically told me to introduce tug play/training into the regimen contrary to my breeder's advice. It was immediately apparent that this was extraordinarily bonding for Three, and for me. Eye contact became extraordinary, attention improved, and there is now never a time when any sort of training session at any time of day or night is not met with joy, even though we may not do formal tug play every day. I believe in scientific principles, and given the many variables involved In training, I cannot prove that tug play was causal. But there is such a powerful correlation that it should not be ignored. I believe it was very important and thank you for the encouragement. And for focusing on training me first, and only then training Three.

- Keith

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Hi!

I just wanted to tell you that I took Ruby to the dog park today (it's been a really long time since we've gone), and I had the most focused dog at the park. I had a woman come up to me and say "Wow, your dog is doing great! You must have trained with 2 Bears." Ruby and I thank you!

- Leanne