Testimonials

Miles

For us, Mark and Amy at K9 Command were the last effort with our Labradoodle, Miles.  He was turning a year old, and had lived most of his life in the garage.  We couldn't get him to calm down at all in the house or walk normally on a leash, and we were at a point of "either something changes or we'll find him another home."  We had spent an incredible amount already on dog training books, but nothing had ever shown any improvement.  We really didn't have much faith that anyone could help us, I have to admit.  But from the beginning Mark and Amy came in with hope to Miles.  We were amazed at the difference in Miles.  His personality didn't change, but the way he channeled it did.  He went from living in a crate in the garage to being a part of our family all the time.  And we can't imagine not having him with us all the time now.  For us Amy and Mark were lifesavers.  We have been amazed at how much Miles has learned and grown, but also how much we have learned as well in the process to help us and to help Miles continue to be the best he can be.  We're all happy!

Donna Kay and David Johnson

Shelby, NC

Walker

Our puppy, Walker, who is to be a year old on May 23, 2004, certainly proved to be more of a challenge than we thought he would be. I don't know if it was because my husband, Jerry and I are 10 years older since the last 2 labs we obedience trained or if Walker is too smart for us, but no matter how hard I tried he was just wild and crazy and would not behave. As he was growing this 1st year it was becoming an increasing concern to us that more had to be done to get him to obey and calm down some. He is now nearly 100 lbs. We have two small grandchildren that didn't want to be around him. They never had this problem with our other labs. I was concerned he would knock them down. I know he wouldn't mean to, but it could certainly happen. Anyway, I started asking around about getting some serious training for him. K9 Command is the name I kept hearing, from the beauty shop to the vet's office. I got the phone number and called Amy Connolly of K9 Command and she was a delight.
She sounded cheerful, positive, and professional. All of these were important to us. I then called all of the references on the list she had given me and heard nothing but good things. Jerry and I then went for a visit with Amy. Amy and Mark live about an hour from us but this was no problem to us if we were going to get help. My biggest concern was that since they were that far away he would need to stay with them for a month. He had never been away from home since we had gotten him. I knew not only that we would miss him but that we wouldn't see him daily to know if he was properly cared for. After meeting Amy, I felt much better and decided to risk it. As it turned out, it was not a risk. After a month of training with Amy and Mark, Walker is a much calmer, well-mannered member of our family. I could tell he was well fed, groomed and in a loving atmosphere when we picked him up. Jerry and I greatly appreciate Amy and Mark for all their efforts and dedication to training dogs. They know what they are doing and we are glad to have had this experience. I believe Walker will be a great companion to Jerry and I and our entire family for many, many years.

Julie Lane

Blacksburg, South Carolina

Tsue

We cannot say enough about how much we love the K9 Command folks. Their love for dogs is very evident when you see them with your dogs and you could never find any nicer people to do business with.  If ever we had another dog that needed help, we would not hesitate to call Amy again. We both just fell in love with her and wish her the very best. Any one is welcome to get in touch with us through K9 Command if you would like to talk to us  in person.

Brenda and Ray Saine

Cherryville, NC

Macy and Lucy

Who says size doesn't matter? Even though we have a houseful of small, adorable Yorkies, they certainly have the terrier personality and vie for the role of alpha dog! Our oldest Yorkie, Macy, did well with two older Cocker Spaniels and an Airedale Terrier. Over the first few years of her life we lost both our spaniels and the older terrier. To fill the vacant places in our hearts and home we adopted two more Yorkies and a Welsh Terrier. We now have three Yorkies and a Welsh Terrier, all of which are females! Recipe for conflict? You bet ya!

Our oldest alpha dog Macy began showing aggression toward the Welsh Terrier, Lucy, as she matured. What seemed to us as unprovoked situations would escalate into the two dogs fighting and after several injuries and visits to the emergency vet hospital we had to do something. Even though there is a huge size discrepancy between the two dogs, in true terrier fashion the Yorkie was not deterred by her size. As much as we loved all our animals we couldn't live with ourselves if something would happen to either Macy or Lucy. We were very close to making the decision of finding a new home for the larger dog to avoid catastrophe

A friend suggested we contact Caesar, the dog whisperer. By luck we were directed to K9 Command via the internet. Mark and Amy visited our home and concluded that with their training they could help our desperate situation. They placed Macy and Lucy in their home and through training and discipline brought calm and control back to our family!

When the dogs returned to our home not only were they trained and obedient they brought a new sense of calm to our entire home. As we were told early on, the dogs would be trained but the hard part would be how we responded once they were home.With consistent work and training we now have a home that is under control. I have to admit that we've had our episodes and Amy's been on "speed dial" but with her advice we've remained on track!

Susan Noblett and Dawn Moose

Mooresville, NC

Rudy

"The difference in Rudy before and after his training at K9 Command has been amazing.  He has become a much more obedient dog and is more enjoyable to be with.  Prior to his training he was shy and fearful in new situations and would not listen to us when we gave him a command.   We knew how we wanted him to behave, but didn't know how to go about teaching him.  K9 Command was able to help us achieve the behavior we wanted Rudy to have.  He is a calmer, more controllable dog, and he listens to us now when we tell him to do something!   Mark and Amy were wonderful to work with and we would recommend them to anyone who wants a more obedient, well-behaved dog."

Mike and Lori Wehmueller and family

Shelby, NC

Cletus

We just had our one year anniversary for our relationship with Mark and Amy and we cannot tell you how much we appreciate what they have done for us...Cletus is much more secure and comfortable in his environment. He is calmer and actually able to control his own behavior....things went so well with him that we have since become the new owners of 2 more AKC Bloodhounds!!! Cletus is now 2yr's 3mth's old, Gladys Elizabeth of Magnolia is 4mth's 2 wk's (a black and liver puppy from just outside of Wilmington at age 10 wk's), and Addie Pearl is 3mth's 2wk's (a red from a great breeder in Branson, Missouri at 8 wk's). All three stay inside and NO it is not a total wreck. From the many things we learned from Mark and Amy we have applied them to the "girls" and they have also done well. Gladys is much like Cletus--- very strong willed and much the free spirit. Amy came over and evaluated her recently. She was able to evaluate her within a couple of hours and made recommendations of how to proceed with her training. Our plan is to use the services of Mark and Amy again! They did such a fantastic job with Cletus, it meant so much to us especially after a trainer in California said his attention span was too short to be successful in his training. Now we wonder if the trainer was speaking of HIS or Cletus' attention span!!! Thank you guys so very much, we cannot say thanks enough.....

Cindy and Stan Crater

Denver, NC

Duncan and Cola

K9 Command was a life saver at out house! With 2 standard poodles, our family was getting overwhelmed with dogs running our life. Amy was wonderful and she gave us the tools to help make Cola and Duncan become the well behaved dogs I knew they could be.

The Edens Family

Hickory, NC

Zoey

Zoey was an abused, starved, abandoned German Shepherd in desperate need of a loving home. We adopted Zoey and quickly fell in love her with sweet, playful personality. Because of Zoey's rough start to life, she had many anxiety and confidence issues. With a short 2 week stay at Mark and Amy's K9 Command, Zoey came home to us more confident and less anxious of her surroundings. We were very happy with the results that Mark and Amy gained with Zoey. But, Zoey would prove to be a tough case to break. After Zoey's Board and Train was done, Mark and Amy came to our house numerous times to help us continue to get the most out of Zoey. Their dedication and continued support has made Zoey a perfect fit for our family. Knowing Mark and Amy are always there to answer questions, lend a helping hand, and give there "lifetime" support is why I am having our newest rescue, Rocky, trained by K9 Command, too!!! You can't go wrong with K9 Command! Mark and Amy are the REAL DEAL!

Terry and Amy Cook

Mooresville, NC

NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series Driver

www.terrycook.com

Leon & Maceo

Thank you so much for the amazing turn around of our two Boxers, Leon & Maceo.  We had taken them to the beach for a week along with five graduates, boy what a mistake.  Upon returning, a day early might I add we were at our wits end.  We had two eight month old bundles of uncontrollable terrors.  We were at a loss on what to do.  We found K9 Command on the web and man what a find!  With the professionalism taken by K9 Command our two Boxers were under control after only two sessions.  They now travel with us everywhere with no worries.  Not only to relaxing places but to many drag racing events John participates in.  They are now our two 80 pound "bundles of joy".

John & Cindy Rudisill

Maiden, NC

Dear Mrs. Amy,

Thank you so much for your time & patience with us.  Because of you & K9 Command we have been able to travel in our new motorhome to drag racing events all over.  We are soon going to be able to  make another trip to the beach so we can enjoy it this time now that we have been shown how to act.

Leon & Maceo

Dipper

A year ago my new husband, Matthew, and I rescued Dipper from a local animal shelter and we instantly fell in love with the little mutt. Living in an apartment in Durham made for an interesting first year, but we managed somehow. Matthew, Dipper and I took one training class at a local pet store and we worked hard to continue the training at home. He did wonderfully with the training he received there, however, we knew Dipper needed more work then we could give him at that time. When we would walk on a leash, he would pull tremendously, making the walk difficult and frustrating! All he wanted to do was sniff anything and everything and not pay attention to us one bit. We were terrified of open doors because he would bolt right through them and run as fast as he could like we were playing a chasing game; only, this was no game for Matthew and I. Crate training was also very difficult because we were in an apartment and Dipper had “separation anxiety” – he hated being alone. He would bark, whine and defecate in his crate anytime we left him. Off leash control was something Matthew and I dreamed of, but knew it would take some work.

Mark and Amy of K9 Command came to the rescue! Dipper took part in the “board and train” program in August and has completely surprised us with his progress. He no longer chokes himself on walks – he will “heel” politely by our side on a loose leash and off leash! Amazing….we know! He does wonderful with distractions while heeling and will go right by the children playing on the bicycles in the neighborhood. Doors are no longer an issue with us because he sits patiently while Matthew and I go in and out until he is called to join us. Dipper’s come recall has really surprised us and we could not be happier! During a recent trip to the mountains, Dipper was able to play off leash most of the time and did not run off once!! He also has learned to love his crate. He will voluntarily go in and out. There is so much more that has changed with Dipper, I could write all day! However, the biggest thing that was the most important to Matthew and I was the fact that we did not want a “robot dog.” We still wanted him to have his personality – and I can honestly tell you that did not change! He is still as lively and happy as he was before the training…he may even be happier! Matthew and I are still working with him in order to sharpen his skills but we are very pleased with Dipper’s success and highly recommend K9 Command to anyone!

Mark and Amy are both extraordinary people and their love for dogs is evident within the first conversation. I thought living 2 hours away in Mebane would make for difficult communication/interaction; however, this was not the case. Amy was great about calling or emailing Matthew and I back quickly.  We asked her a lot of questions prior to the training session and she was always very professional, informative, and friendly. We called several times during the two-week training period to check on Dipper and they both were extremely pleasant and helpful. Even after the session was over, and Dipper came back with us to Mebane, they answered our questions and gave us pointers to work with. Our experience with Mark and Amy has been superb! We thank them tremendously and look forward to many years with wonderful companion, Dipper.

Jessica and Matthew Hawn

Mebane, NC

Bottom

You are truly miracle workers! We can’t thank you enough for what you have done with “Bottom”. Before coming to you, we were pulling our hair out and ready to send him back to the breeder because he was so bad! He was territorial, barked constantly, bit a few neighbors, and was definitely the king of the household. He didn’t listen to any of us, and we had no control of him. Even so, he is a little clown and is very loyal and loving. We love him dearly and it would have been devastating to give him up.

               We spent many hours researching trainers and training techniques. After meeting you and Mark, we knew you were the right fit. It was obvious that training dogs wasn’t just a business for you both. You’re passion for these animals was very apparent from the moment we met you. You bring them into your home, and they live with you as if they are your own pets. It was nice not to worry while he was away. We had complete peace of mind that he was in good hands. 

                Since “Bottom” has returned to us, he is an entirely different dog. He is polite, he follows our commands, he doesn’t bark nearly as much, and he is no longer the ruler of the house. He is 1000 times more pleasant to live with and our house is so much less chaotic! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!   We are all very happy. You’re the best!         

 Sincerely,

Dean and Trish Biasucci

 Michaela, Kara, John, and “Bottom”

Mocha

Since returning home, my neighbors and the guy that rents the cottage from me are considering boot camp for their little live wires! The BIGGEST stand out accomplishment in Mocha is that the two people she loves the most, and was the most uncontrolable around....one simple word, and she is 100% under control!!! My renter can't stop praising the work you have done to his parents, telling them what a joy to HAVE a dog...(not the dog having you!). Perhaps you will be seeing them and their dog soon!

Again, I can't thank you enough.

 Love and Blessings,

                          Lisa & Mocha

Simon

When I found Simon running down the street in front of our house three and a half years ago, all I saw was a sad, helpless little puppy who needed our help.  Little did I know that Simon’s previous hardships would turn out to be our issues as well.  As Simon became more comfortable with us and more territorial of his new home, he became quite the problem.  He was food aggressive, defensive and would absolutely not accept any strangers into his world whether that be in the house, the yard or on “his” street.  We researched several options, talking to other friends about trainers and consulting the vet with every check up.  We enrolled Simon in obedience school which we eventually dropped out of because we couldn’t handle the stress-both for Simon and for us (we dreaded going every week and apologizing to the other families for our “problem child”). Lola, our standard poodle, was not the good influence we had hoped she would be and she was beginning to pick up Simon’s habits, having to defend her food and toys from the interloper.  This is where Amy and Mark came in.  Poor Amy fielded hours of phone conversations, emails and even a home visit to the K9 Command HQ and finally she and Mark won us over.  I felt their compassion and love for animals and really appreciated their confidence and complete understanding of all that is “dog.”  Their calm nature was immediately visible when we met them and they reassured us that our little boy would not only be OK with them, but that we would be much happier in the long run, and so would Simon.  Simon spent Christmas 2007 with Mark and Amy and after the holidays, Amy brought him home and spent 4 hours at our house teaching us what he had learned.  What a difference!  The ten people Simon had allowed into his inner circle of trust were amazed and we heard “is that the same dog?” more than once.  Neighbors that Tony and Simon saw regularly on their morning walks now stop to chat and even said “wow, he really is a cute dog” after they were finally able to see our little Simon instead of the snarling beast.  He is much calmer and happier  in general and we can see that he is finally starting to realize that people (not just us) are good and they will not hurt him-they just want to pet the cute little puppy!  It is sad to think what his life must have felt like to him before Mark and Amy taught him how to be “normal.” Living in a constant state of agitation and anger must have been awful, but now I really feel that he understands that if he is calm, people will be nice to him and pet him and even give him treats-wow!  Thank you for helping us help this adorable little boy and to show others that no matter how much a dog has been through, they can always be shown how to accept love and kindness.  Simon is so well behaved now that he makes Lola, formerly our “good dog,” look pretty sassy.  She may be visiting you in the future!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Tony, Meredith, Simon and Lola

Charlotte, NC