In the fall of 2025, we brought Karma a 2-year-old Golden Retriever into our lives. Having had Goldens for over 30 years we thought the transition would be smooth but as fate would have it this sweet girl came with a few quirks. She was terrified outside of the home, anyone besides the family was suspect and a potential danger. All of her senses were on hyper-alert, and she would retreat to her safe places usually under or behind something. We read, researched, and were patient but we recognized that we needed help. So we enrolled her in Dealing with Dogs Adult Beginner. Our first night she practically crawled into the space suspicious of everyone and everything. Margie was amazing with her, giving her the space she needed, helping her to slowly warm up and helping us with the skills she needed to succeed in the big bad world. The class size was just right – enough dogs and folks to give her the safe exposure that she needed. Of course, being very food motivated also gave her incentive, I mean what Golden turns down a treat but then what Golden is terrified of people!  We practiced and learned and attended a couple of more DWD courses with Margie. Ever so slowly, things for Karma and for us started to turn around.

It’s now spring and every day we see slow improvements in how Karma is gaining confidence and settling in the presence of strangers, they don’t get to pet her yet, but she is no longer cowering behind us.

In her classes with Margie, she is comfortable enough to be a demo dog (that’s HUGE!)- she knows DWD is a safe space where she learns and is challenged to learn something new. (as are we).

We are very grateful to have found Dealing with Dogs and their trainers and highly recommend them. They are kind, professional and uniquely approach each dog and their owners to help them learn life/dog skills needed. Their advice on specific behaviours and remedies have been priceless to all those who attend the courses.

If you are seeking a great place to help you and your dog whether you have a puppy or an older pooch- Dealing with Dogs is the place and has the right people to help you and your fur baby.