Cool K9's Colorado Springs Customer Testimonials

June 12, 2007

"When we first started puppy classes, we figured the trainers, who were recommended to us, would be pretty good with dogs. Jim and Bianca are, in fact, great at working with dogs, but what's more, they're great at working with humans who are working with dogs. With a psychological emphasis, their training is surprisingly effective at showing owners how to handle their dogs. The training turned out to be as much for us as for our puppies, August and Ava, and this helped us to continue training the pups on our own. Small adjustments (like how to hold a treat in your hand) that I would never have figured out on my own made a big difference in maintaining the dog's focus. And ultimately, when your puppy becomes more obedient *and* gets really excited about getting to go to class, you know the trainers are doing something right (as an educator, I know how crucial this combination is).

We've taken three classes from Cool K9s so far, and are about to start a fourth. Ava and August respond well to them, the classes are good, goofy fun, and we're learning how to live with our pups safely and enjoyably. What more can you ask for?"

Cheers!

Sonja and Mark

2005

Jim & Bianca

"I recently graduated your puppy class on the 22 of December, 2005. I was very impressed with the knowledge, and quick delivery of results Jim and Bianca provided. I picked up my Australian Shepard Mix (Brandy) from the Humane Society, and she was all puppy! I was not use to handling a dog of this size, and had no knowledge of how to properly go about to training her. With Cool K9's first class I had Brandy sitting, and responding to my commands with the first ten minutes of our training session. Their one on one training instruction is far the best, with sound advice, and quick results that your dog will remember. Their training uses only kind and humane procedures never harming my precious little puppy. I truly have learned a great deal about my pup, and training her in just six weeks!

I have many friends that have attended other dog training classes, and are just amazed at the results that Brandy and I have obtain in such little time. They have attended the clicker classes, plus various other training methods, and have had some comparable results. When we put our dogs head to head, Brandy out performs their dogs hand down! This was all done in simply training Brandy in time frames as little as five minutes at a time. I do have to say our longest training sessions were the ones in class.

I truly would like to convey my most sincere "Thank You" to Jim and Bianca for their patience and advice. They are defiantly the number ONE dog training specialist in the area in my opinion!"

Sincerely, Steven Korrell

Fri, 17 Feb 2006

"We adopted Izmere, a six-month-old Doberman from the humane society. She was an absolute terror. She knew some basic commands - "no,!" "sit" and "come," but wouldn't do anything if she didn't want to. She was a difficult combination - smart, hyper and stubborn. She learned just how far she could push us until we got angry, and used it to her advantage. For instance, she knew she could get away with ignoring "no" if she was up on the counter or chewing on something she shouldn't until we physically had to pull her paws off, or yank something out of her mouth (which would sometimes elicit a territorial snarl, and a refusal to let go.) She pulled so hard on her leash that she was almost impossible to walk. She had no manners around other dogs, either charged at them at full speed, wanting to play right away, usually angering the other more impatient dogs. She would try to push us out of bed. Basically, she thought that she was in charge, and if it didn't please her, she either wouldn't do what we asked, or would get aggressive towards us.

My husband and I came to the agreement - if we couldn't get her to the point of being a civil companion by July (1 year from when we got her) we would have her put down. We'd both had other dogs, but neither of us had had to deal with anything like our sociopath A.D.D. Doberman. I asked my vet if she had a trainer she could recommend, and she sent us to Jim and Bianca of Cool K9's Dog Training with rave reviews. We did a private session first to make sure she would be able to get along with other dogs in a group setting, and got her out of her shell a little bit. At the private training session, Izmere was timid, avoiding us, and ignoring us.

Jim and Bianca kept the classes fun and light for the owners and the dogs. They teach the dogs to WANT to listen to you using positive reinforcement, and an understanding of how the dogs think. At the first class, she tried hiding behind us, and was too freaked out by all the distractions to really care about her treats. By the last class, she was jumping in the car to go to class, playing (politely!) with the other dogs, and eager to perform commands. At home, she now listens to us, and doesn't try to push our buttons like she did before. If you met her before and after Cool K9's, you would think she was two different dogs. She's even well behaved enough now so that we were able to get a second dog. Even though the new dog doesn't have any behavioral issues, we plan on taking him to Jim and Bianca as well for basic obedience classes. We would definitely recommend them to anybody and everybody.

Jim and Bianca not only saved Izmere's life, they also helped transform her into a good canine citizen, our best friend, and a loved member of our family."

Karin and Tyler Selby

July 8, 2007

"We recently adopted a dog with a lot of behavior problems due to the mistreatment he received for the first 1 ½ yrs of his life. We named him Bones. Having had a lot of experience with dogs, we figured we could work with him and retrain him. Our pets become family members, so we do not "exchange" pets as some people do-once we decide to invite an animal into our family, we keep them and care for them until they reach old age and finally have to leave us. We wish we could keep them around forever.

This time however, the behavior problems were so extreme we began to think we couldn't keep him. There were many behavior problems but one of these was worse than the other problems. We were afraid he was going to kill our cats as he was showing an extremely strong prey drive. No matter what we did to break his fixation with the cats, it didn't help. We were ready to give him up. Finally we called Cool K-9's and explained the situation. They came to help us right away and we had no further trouble after that session. We followed up with a basic obedience course that they offered and he has become a most wonderful animal. He now even plays with the cats-very gently of course. He still has a couple problem behaviors, but they are small and we are continuing to work with him. For a dog that started out with as many emotional scars as he did, it is truly amazing. If not for Cool K-9's we would not have this beautiful, gentle, and loving member of our family."

Thank you Jim and Bianca for making it possible to keep Bones!

April 24, 2006

"If you wonder why your puppy or dog does what they do, and would rather harness that energy than fight it CoolK9s is the answer. We accomplished more training in the first week with Jim & Bianca's help than in the previous two months we had Cyruss. All by harnessing and encouraging his natural drives for food and praise. At the end of six weeks we have a puppy that reliably recalls, sits, lays down and heels. Jim & Bianca give their customers personalized training that makes training fun for both the dog and owners. Training Cyruss is no longer something to WORK on but to have fun with even after a long day of work."

Jason Spehar & Courtenay Brubaker

"I want to thank Jim and Bianca for their training with our dog. We got a St. Bernard mix, Jack, from the Bolder Humane Society. All we knew about Jack was that he was picked up as a stray. We were pretty sure that he had been abused or at the very least had a hard first couple of years of his life.

He was peeing in the house every time we would turn our backs on him. He also wasn't sure about our 3-year-old daughter either. We were actually questioning whether he was a good match for us when we found Cool K9's.

After just a few classes Jack really started to really interact with our family instead of spending most of his time in his crate. He has started to play with the toys that we have for him and he will play with our daughter more.

The peeing in the house has stopped and he now waits to go outside before going to the bathroom. Before the training Jack was scared to get in the car and would not come willingly in the car. At the end of week 4 he jumped in the car and has no problem since wanting to get into the car. On the first day of class Jack wasn't real sure about the other dogs and would growl at them. By the end of the session he was wagging his tail when he saw the other dogs getting out of their cars.

It has been amazing to watch the progress that he has made in just a short time. Jack has finally become part of our family and I have to thank Jim and Bianca for that."

~Katie Milton (and Jack)

2006

"Jim and Bianca are truly knowledgeable experts in the science of dog training. As a psychologist and professor familiar with the scientific principles of behavioral learning, I applaud Jim and Bianca for their careful, effective, and sensitive use of reinforcement principles in shaping our dog's behaviors. When we got Daisy when she was 6 months old, she was not socialized, was fearful and aggressive toward other dogs, displayed leash pulling and other undesirable behaviors. Jim and Bianca patiently listened to our concerns and guided us through the successful reshaping of Daisy's behaviors.

Classes with Jim an Bianca are also great for families with children. They address the needs of every member of the family, not just the "responsible adult" who is attending the training. They welcomed our daughters in class, and helped us with teaching the children and the dog how to behave toward each other. Within 2 days of our first class, our puppy Daisy was eager to do incessant "sits" "come here's" and "downs" at our 5 year old and 2 year old girls command! Our daughters and the dog are now great buddies and I can trust Daisy to be playing gently around my children at anytime. Thanks to Jim and Bianca for everything!"

Emily Chan, Ph.D. (Psychology)

"Jim and Bianca are really knowledgeable about dog behavior in each stage of development. I felt confident in their ability to help me train my dog. Our puppies were sitting, staying and coming when we called within the first few weeks of class! Jim and Bianca understand how dogs think and are able to use treats and positive reinforcement very effectively. Jim and Bianca have been a good resource for when behavioral issues have come up. They provided practical solutions for dealing with problem behavior. I highly recommend dog training with Jim and Bianca.

Awesome Job,"

Elise & Steve Klepatz
Dogs: Caleb & Casey
Graduating Class of July 26, 2004

"Sabot is a very smart, hyper, puppy who challenged my patience. More than once. In a moment of despair I called Cool K9's for help with a biting problem. We did two behavior modifications with Jim before the next puppy kindergarten session began. I enthusiastically enrolled him in it after just one behavior session with Jim. His knowledge of dogs is unquestionable and his goofy personality the dogs just love.

"Sabot and I enjoyed training with Jim and Bianca, they were always there with tips on how to keep a fast paced puppy busy without wearing yourself out. I was the most impressed with all the different things they had to teach the same "trick" to a dog. Not all puppy's learn the same way as I saw in class but Jim and Bianca did not even hesitate and threw out a new technique to keep the class pace moving and the spirits high. Bianca has a [eye] great for spotting the dogs potential and reading their mood and skill progression as Jim instructs so no one falls behind or become frustrated. Sabot and I will be returning in December for the next level of training. If you want hands on training that is fun and effective then there is no doubt in my mind they are the trainers your looking for."

Rachel and Sabot
November 2004 graduation class

"Bella is a rescue dog that was severely abused before I got her. She was deathly afraid of men and would not make eye or body contact with anyone. Jim got her used to men and she now will look at me and sit on my lap. Jim and Bianca made Bella into a whole new dog. She is now socialized and loves everyone!"

Kate Sippel
Dog: Bella
Graduating Class of July 26, 2004

"Jim and Bianca have really helped me understand how to work with my dog. Sabre has really changed since the first class and knows that a treat is only a step away if he works J. I was referred by my vet and can’t wait for them to see how well behaved he is now! Great class and Great Trainers!

Thanks,"

Debbie Flores
Dog: Sabre
Graduating Class of July 26, 2004

"Jim & Bianca are the best! They love dogs & love to train them in a positive, wonderful way!"

Bernie & Lori Negron
Dog: Booda
Graduating Class of July 26, 2004

"Staci was a stray, then adopted and brought back to the Humane Society. I am a dog walker volunteer and fell for her! She needed some “manners fine-tuning” and Jim & Bianca’s obedience was wonderful. Staci’s bad habits, like jumping on guests are disappearing rapidly. We are so pleased and have learned so much about how to train her in a positive manner but with appropriate boundaries. My husband and I look forward to many happy years with Staci…"

Kathy Beers
Dog: Staci
Graduating Class of July 26, 2004

Here is a letter we received:

July 29, 2004

"Dear Jim and Bianca,

I am very happy to have met you and observed you training sessions today. After viewing your web site, my husband and I look forward to starting our dogs in your programs (once they have recovered from their spaying).

While looking through your graduates pictures, I realized that I have seen dogs trained by you other places and was highly impressed with their attention and happy dispositions. The top picture on the left-hand side of the page, under July 26 graduates, the young lady kneeling with the brindle Frenchy, was at a dog park playing. The dog was completely focused on her and the game they were playing. I was impressed at the ease with which they communicated and the effortless control she had over the dog. Talk about a testimonial to your skills as trainers!

Once again, it was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to your training classes in the near future.

Kindest regards,
Jacki Sobczak"

Thank you Jacki!

Your testimonial means the world to us!

Here are a few photos from one of the
Training Sessions Jacki Sobczak observed:

Advanced Training Client Liz Ramey
working with Capone & Suske