Testimonials

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All Testimonials were sent by email. As a mark of appreciation for my services, nearly all of the dog owners below have implied they would answer emails at their own address to put anyone not quite sure of using our services, minds at rest. If you require to speak with one of the owners, use the CONTACT US page and we will gladly put you in touch.

Sent by Mr Brian S from http://www.workingcocker.co.uk/

"Mick took Millie from the age of 9 months for 4 weeks and turned an impetuous spoiled pup into a dog, ready, willing and able, to work the beaters line.
It was great to get her back and within a week I had taken her to 2 shoots where she worked, almost flawlessly, on the beating line matching dogs that had years of beating underneath their collars.

On her second shoot at the Willows in Shropshire she had her 1st flawless retrieve with a pricked hen Pheasant. This earned her a round of applause from the beaters line. BOY DID I FEEL GOOD.......... THANKS MICK"

A picture of Millies first shoot.:
Walking to the next drive, the pair (jock and millie) became good friends.

I'd just like to add that it was a pleasure having Millie stay with us.

She had been a joy to train and it was noted how much time Brian had put in with her already. On the day of her departure, I wanted Millie to be put through her paces without her seeing her master and asked Brian to park up and not follow until we were a good distance away.

I was then able to show him what she had learned. It proved to be a worthwhile excercise beacause once Millie saw him she was totally out of my control. Brian had reversed his car so as our motors were boot to boot.

When we were finished I insisted Millie went straight into his car. We arrived in between both motors and Millie wasnt sure which motor she was to go in to. Was a lovely parting shot. A sign to me that she had enjoyed her stay. She will have a fantastic life working on the beating line.

Sent by e-mail from Mr Robyn Hayes on the 16/12/07:

"Hi Mick,

I just thought I’d write you a wee line just to say thank you for all your help with Kasey my springer spaniel.

By using very simple but effective methods you managed to give me the tools and knowledge to keep me and my dog happy. It is very apparent that your methods work ,as displayed by your own dogs and Kasey took to you immediately. I was very impressed by the way you listened to me and understood that my dog is a pet and not a working dog and you helped me and Kasey to learn the basics of dog handling. I now know the potential that my springer has and our walks have been so much more fun and he is a different dog. He behaves a thousand times better, comes back when he is called, and even walks to heel. It was so comforting to know that you were on the end of the phone when I needed more advice or encouragement.

I have already recommended you to other dog owners and I hope they enjoy your training as much as we did.

Once again,

Thank you,

Rab and Kasey(age 1)"

Sent by e-mail from Mr Terry Connell of Edinburgh on 05/02/08

"I am writing to say that I have nothing but the greatest admiration for Mick's training methods. I have been with him in the beating line and can say most truthfully that I have never seen better behaved working dogs.

At heel till required to work which they then did in a most exemplary manner."

Kindly sent by E-mail by Mr Stuart Nicoll who stays near Dunfermline on 07/04/08

"I have a 2yr old Hungarian Vizsla who was introduced to Mick (and his cocker) a couple of weeks ago. We spoke about the issues i was having, Roscoe not coming back if there were any distractions around, and being a bit too excitable when around people and other dogs. Roscoe also pulled on the lead, especially with my wife.

The first meeting was an appraisal, and when we next met up Mick took Roscoe for an hour. He advised on the proper lead to buy, and the correct way to handle him when out walking. I can safely say the change has been incredible!

He never pulls anymore, is a joy in the house, and has calmed down around other people and dogs. He was also guilty of going for cars as they passed but even that urge seems to have
vanished. Roscoe isn't the perfect dog yet, but myself and my wife are
seeing improvements everyday as we continue to use the techniques Mick
showed us. I fully recommend him for training your best friend, and of
course training you also.

Much thanks, Stuart and Gillian"

Mrs Rhona Johnstone from near Edinburgh wrote via email on 23/4/08,

" Mick,

Just a quick email to thank you very much for your help with my two year old spaniel Kes. I cannot believe the difference in her now I understand your basic training methods. Kes will never be a working dog, as that was not what she was intended to be used as, but I realise now how I have not been able to enjoy her for the last eighteen months, due to her bad behaviour. Thank you again!!
Rhona

P.S Can I make use of a free hours training next year too ? (ha ha)"

Grieg Stevenson: sent by email in July

Hi Mick,
Just a quick e-mail to say a big thank you for your help and advice. I
thought I would write a little something so other people can benefit from
your methods too!

I first met Mick and his very well trained Cocker, Jock, for an appraisal
session and I instantly knew I had chosen the right man to train Cooper, my
black 2 year old rescued Labrador. Mick made me (and Cooper) feel at ease
and reassured me that we could solve the problems I was having. Mick also
advised on the correct lead, collar and other equipment that I should use
and can also supply these if necessary.

I have had Cooper for around 6 months now and managed to instill the basics
myself, sit, stay, house training and so on but had serious problems with
recall, lead work and general leadership issues. After *ONE* training
session there was a massive difference in Cooper's behavior. He was no
longer pulling as badly on the lead, his recall was drastically improved and
most importantly he was looking at me for instruction rather than thinking
he was in charge. I was amazed to say the least! All this was achieved by
using very simple and easy to understand methods. My second session was more
about me. Mick has taught me what I should be looking out for in Cooper's
actions. Basically tuning me into the way a dog thinks and works. Believe
me, it is not just a dog that needs to be trained, it is the owner as well.
Cooper is far from the finished article yet but I now feel I have the skills
and knowledge to get the correct results. I always had high expectations for
Cooper and could see potential in him, Mick has helped us bring out that
potential.

I never had any intentions of Cooper becoming a working dog, he was simply a
pet to me. However since meeting with Mick I intend to continue meeting with
him to train Cooper in more complex areas with a view to eventually working
him on the beating line.

I would highly recommend Mick for any training issues, whether you intend on
having you dog work or not. Don't make the mistake I made and waste money on
large group sessions, they simply do not get close to the kind of detail
that Mick can help you with via one to one sessions. Remain positive and be
keen to learn and you will reap the rewards!

I look forward to many more sessions with Mick and I am sure Cooper does
too!

Best regards and see you soon,

Greig & Cooper

PS. I will send you a picture soon showing Cooper and I in action with our
newly learned skills!

Jimmie Hay of Edinburgh emailed in August

"I had real problems with Patch, our 18 month old Golden Retriever, when I
took him to visit Mick. Patch did exactly what he wanted to when he wanted
to. He wouldn't walk to heel, never mind come back when off the lead. This
led to a very stressful experience in walking him and after a couple
traumatic experiences he didn't get off the lead!

After just one lesson Patch was walking to heel - and has been great ever
since. With the very simple but effective methods you managed to give me the
tools and knowledge to keep Patch in check and make sure he no longer thinks
he's the boss. The techniques you taught us have worked: he's different dog
around the house, much more relaxed and biddable, as well as evening coming
back when he's off the lead!

I would highly recommend Mick. I made the mistake of wasting time and money
on group sessions when Patch was a puppy. Don't make the same mistake - they
simply do not get close to the kind of detail that Mick can help you with
via one to one sessions. I wish I had taken Patch to see Mick when he was a
puppy and saved everyone a lot of time!

Cheers,

Jimmie"

John Brown from near Glasgow with Breac a lively Springer pup

"Thanks a lot again for your help. It was the best £30 I have spent in a long time & even Adele is impressed she is even getting up early in the mornings to walk Breac. I am just in the door tonight was up on the moss walking Breac for an hour & a half I think we both enjoyed it. I had him on & off the lead & kept confusing him with my two blasts on the whistle. He comes back now on a long whistle & will look out for commands on a single whistle. Have been taking on your advice on feeding him. Thanks."

A section from an email from Amy Rafferty on the 5th December 2008

"Ultimately however, we have both noticed a huge difference in him and this may be because he isn’t allowed on the sofa or the bed any more. We make sure we go outside first and we eat before he does. As a result he is generally a lot calmer – all of which is thanks to you!

I really appreciate the time you took with us, and you’re very helpful advice. I will come back to you if we don’t sort out the "other" issue, but in the meantime I’m feeling a lot better about Ludo!

Thank you so much for all of your help,

Kindest regards

Amy"