Client Testimonials
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Tina Bishop-Fedewa

AWESOME session today hector!!! you are truly amazing and definantly lansings "dog whisperer!!" i cant believe the difference in Paisley!!! its amazing how changing just a few commands around made a huge difference. we cant thank you enough for your help....i thought you were crazy when you said it would ONLY take an hour!!!! ill be will telling EVERYONE about you!!!

Hi Hector,
Let me start by saying I never thought my dog could be trained off leash. She is a smart dog but she loved to run when she got out whether it was to see another dog or just to be "free". The last time she did that I thought for sure I was going to watch her get hit by a car since she was heading straight for a busy road. By the grace of God she made it across the street and eventually came back to me. I knew I had to do something. I called Hector and he recommended his off the leash class. So I signed up and took the September class. I was amazed by how fast she learned and that she was actually listening to me when I wasn't holding her leash. I'm still working with her with the tools Hector taught me. I feel a lot more confident in getting her to come back to me if she decides to run again. Thanks Hector for the great training!!!!
Karen / September 2011 Off-Leash Graduate

Please let me know if you offer any off leash training in a couple of months. Need time to train her with the leash first. I will definitely spread the word about you! I am still in awe at how easy it was for you to break Maxie's bad habits.

Please add me to your marketing list.

Thank you for your work with Max! She will be a better girl and happier!

Mickie

Hey Hector!
              We just wanted to update you on our puppy since the last time you were here.  So here goes, oh my goodness what a difference in her, she is completely a different dog.  I don't know if she just thinks that if she acts up you're going to come around the corner (LOL) or what but she has been so good, she doesn't jump she doesn't chew on the kids, it's like she is a new dog!!! I swear you are a miracle worker!!! a true dog whisper.  When people come over she comes and greets them but she either sits or lies down which is awesome.  My kids can actually run around and play and she doesn't chase them.  Our daughter can finally get off the top of the couch; she actually hugs and kisses the puppy now which i thought she would never do!! I’ll tell you what it has been a load lifted off my shoulders now that she minds so well, i don't know what I would have done without your help!!  i appreciate all the time and dedication you put into making sure our pets are the best they can be.
                                                            Thank you so much

We just wanted to say how much we appreciated you coming to our house. Our puppy is completely different now i have had to correct her a few times but she seems to understand that she cant bite the kids, my son has not been nocked down since and he and the girls can run around again!!! no more climbing up my leg LOL. the crate training is going awesome and i feed in her in her pen and she likes to be in there now. anyway just wanted to thank you a bunch for the work you do, it's AMAZING!!!! We look forward to the obedience class when she turns 4 months. thanks again

Jenny

My name is Jody, we have spoke a few times over the phone from Burcham Hills. I first want to thank you very much for working with our community to make it possible for older adults to move in with their pet companion. Without your support, this would not be possible. We are very thankful for the relationship we have with you. Thanks Hector!

On a personal note, thank you for the information that you have on your website. We (my husband & I) have been using some of your techniques on both of our large dogs. I can’t believe I called myself a pet owner before learning all that! Thanks!

Jody Bond http://www.burchamhills.com/

Sting and his Ball
The story of Sue Boston and Sting

About a year ago, a dog trainer was selling his two year old Dutch Shepherd. Sting was wonderfully trained in obedience, but shy and afraid of almost everything; fireworks, loud noises, and the trained helper in a bite suit. He certainly lacked the confidence of a trained protection dog.

Sting’s usual posture was to walk with his tail between his legs and his ears down. I was told that he didn’t play with other dogs.  I was also told that Sting didn’t “bite” well on the handler’s sleeve, so seemed unsuitable for police dog training. Well, to me, this was great - I didn’t want a dog that would bite, just a trained dog that would look ferocious. I also heard that Sting didn’t particularly like children and would be a “one-man” dog.

I brought Sting home. He remained well trained, coming to me off-leash immediately. He loves the grandchildren and he loves his “sister” dog, a Labradoodle, named Bindi. Contrary to what I had been told, he spent long hours playing with her. He soon walked with his ears and tail held high. However, Sting’s greatest love is his ball. He will chase and fetch the ball, I think, forever, until I am too tired to continue the game. So, we took the ball with us everywhere. We went to the Dog Parks about twice a week, as it was an easy way for me to exercise my three dogs, Sting, Bindi, and a small Shih Tzu mix, named Irwin, as a group.

Although Sting ignored the other dogs, he didn’t seem bothered by them when they approached. I soon discovered that Sting was a “delicate” dog! The first problem was bloody paws and nail problems which the vet thought might be Lupus. We cured that - and then a broken hip - we cured that and then Tendonitis in his shoulder. The vet recommended that he not play ball so much and limited his exercise until his shoulder was healed.

So, off we went to the Dog Park without a ball. Boy, was that a mistake. A dog approached Sting head to head, and Sting reacted immediately - there would have been a fight, but I immediately pulled him away. Then, a trip to a different Dog Park with trails. Everything was fine, until a dog again approached Sting head to head - this time Sting reacted more strongly and it was difficult for me to pull him away - I had to leash him and leave the park quickly. Then, it happened the third time. I didn’t know what was happening - was Sting suddenly becoming dog aggressive? I didn’t know this could happen. Luckily for all of us, I had heard of Hector Hernandez and his work.

A quick call, and Hector soon arrived at my door leaving two of his dogs in his car. He quickly learned the facts surrounding Sting, his background, and his upbringing and told me that Sting was not dog socialized. This was a big surprise to me as I had been taking him to the Dog Parks without incident in the past. Hector brought in one of his female dogs and Sting immediately went for her fiercely. Wow! I couldn’t believe it. Hector explained that Sting needed to be put back in his original training collar and have daily training sessions. I had neglected this as Sting seemed so well trained. With his collar in place, Hector brought in his large male dog - Sting remained seated quietly! I could hardly believe it.

When Hector left, he gave me one of his books, “How to Train Your Dog Before Your Dog Trains You.” A small book - but oh so big in information. I have many dog training books, but this one is definitely the best. I learned that some dogs need a “pacifier” to help them discharge tension and keep their mouths busy! That made a lot of sense - when the trouble with the other dogs started, I hadn’t brought Sting’s ball - without this tension reliever - it was now clear to me (as Hector had told me) that Sting was not properly dog socialized and did not know how to deal with an aggressive dog that approached him head to head.

Hector has a way of hearing the info about the dog and seeing the dog, and immediately tuning in on the dog’s temperament. I plan to continue training with Hector to help Sting become the confident dog I believe he can be. Meanwhile, Sting and I will continue his training and bring his ball with him to the dog park. I was really in despair when String showed dog aggression and I will be forever grateful for Hector Hernandez and his wisdom. Thank you, Hector!

November 2010

A picture of Justin, K9 Miley and I. Thank you again for all of your help teaching us the tools we needed to do obedience training with our dog! Your knowledge has impacted our everyday life - thank you!

Hector:

What a difference it's made in Truman (the somewhat unruly, overconfident golden)!  Just adjusting the collar was huge, but he has totally gotten in gear with everything else as well.  We really learned a lot (there was a lot of "owner error" going on).  Last night, we were on one of our long walks and in a fairly open area without tons of distraction so I tested out the "come" command.  He barely hesitated, picked up his leash and brought it to me. 

I also want to express how impressed I was with how you worked so well with some of the more difficult ones in class and how much progress we saw in those dogs (& owners) in just that short time.  I would never have thought it was possible in just two sessions, particularly with the German Shepherd.  You are the only trainer I would bring one of my dogs or puppies to for training.  Thank you again and we may see you at one of the off leash sessions later.

Heidi Krause

Jamie and i are very happy after our work together.  Thanks.

If you ever have those days when you wonder if what you're doing makes a difference in the world...  it does.

~Laura

February, 2010

Hector, It was very enjoyable meeting and working with you today.  Your rapport with Shadow was remarkable.  We have NEVER seen Shadow respond in such a positive manner with someone upon meeting them for the first time. Following your directions and expertise made working with Shadow a breeze. We all will be looking forward to seeing you in the near future. So many people who have stopped by our house in the past week have been so impressed by the change in Shadow's behavior! Sincerely, Lamont and Linda Gyles

November 30, 2009
Dear Hector,
I can’t believe what a difference we have seen in Buddy, our 8 month old Golden Retriever/Lab Mix puppy, after just one session with you at our home!!! I know it’s only been three days since you were here, but I am so impressed I couldn’t wait any longer to write you to tell you thank you!

Prior to your session with us, Buddy was a “high-energy jumping, running, chewing terror” that was constantly tearing things up. He would run off and would not listen to us when we tried to call him and we were afraid he would get hit by a car or lost. I was seriously wondering how much longer we could handle him because he was starting to get aggressive with the kids and biting at us when we tried to control him.

What a difference a professional dog trainer’s help makes!

Buddy is so much calmer and well behaved. It is remarkable! We have taken him on walks every day this weekend and he has even started to run with me now without pulling my arm off. He feels much more comfortable in his role and he loves his ‘work’ – he is not the spaz - A.D.D. dog he was before you came! He is very comfortable following us and looks for guidance even and not trying to be the leader all the time. Any of the kids, Jacob (age 9), Maddy (age 9), or Morgan (age 14) are now able to walk him and Jacob was even running laps with him around the yard. They are enjoying him now and feel much more in control of him as opposed to before you came to help us. Jacob used to get dragged around the yard, but on Saturday they were actually running very smoothly without Buddy pulling him.

He really knows the commands you taught him and us well. He is responding to “Sit, Down, Heel, Off and Come” very well, for such a short period of time to be working with him. I know it’s not just the dog that needed training but our family needed training on how to handle him as well.

I also want to commend you for your professional demeanor while you were working with the kids, Scott and I. It was very easy to learn from you because you explained everything as you went along and the reasoning behind things which made it much easier for all of us to understand.

I can’t say “Thank you” enough for the wonderful gift you have given us. Our puppy is now a member of our family and fits into our lives instead of running it, or even worse ruining it! Buddy can truly be the ‘buddy’ we hoped he would be when we got him for Maddy and Jacob for their birthday this year.

I would highly recommend your dog training services to anyone who wants a respectful, obedient dog! Hector’s results with Buddy have been amazing!
Thanks again,
Scott, Kristina, Maddy, Morgan and Jacob Terry
& Buddy

Hi Hector:

I thought you might like to know that Coop is doing very well. He goes down now without me even saying anything and his barking at my school and my office has all but disappeared. I usually have to give him a "reminder" the first time someone walks in, as he starts to slip back to his previous behavior, but after that he does not make a sound. Yesterday when I was doing some work at the high school he was off leash and laying on the floor. People were coming in and out of my room and he never moved. I think they thought I had drugged him or something! LOL Everyone who knows Cooper has noticed the change!

Things here at the house are still challenging when someone comes to the door, but we are working on those skills and he is improving. I have found that when things do not go as well as I had hoped it is usually because I was not prepared or I get a bit flustered. He will stay down, once I get him there, and that is a big jump in skill. He has not tried to rush out the door at anyone. He just has such tunnel vision when someone knocks or rings the doorbell and getting him to come is hard. We will keep working on this!!

I really want to thank you again for all you taught both Cooper and me. I can now be working and not tense up every time someone comes in. This alone changes the whole atmosphere in either of my offices. The fact that I am more relaxed, I think helps Coop relax too. You might think this sounds crazy, but now he has a look on his face like, "OK, now I know what to do!" I am sure that without your intervention it would only have been a matter of time before he would have nipped someone and that could have been a MAJOR issue. He really is a wonderful little guy and with your help he can now prove
that to everyone!

Thanks again!

Ann and the New and Improved Cooper!!
PS - Your book is great also!

I don't know if you remember me right off the top of your head, but wanted to say keep up the good work! I had the Shepherd puppy that you called "Mini Me". I have a funny little story I hope you get a kick out of... Sunday, 4 hours out of our final class I left the gate to our back yard open and Jada got out. I usually go out with her so it didn't take me long to notice that she walked right out the gate. I called to her and she kept right on her way, I said "No, Come!" just as we did in class, sure enough she responded and came right back to me. Before taking your class, I would've ran after her yelling come and probably chased her around the neighborhood. Not only did your class benefit her, but I learned how to handle my dog as well. She continues to make progress, she's a joy to walk and I look forward to teaching my children how to handle her so they can walk her as well. I'll refer as many as I can, and when the time comes for more training you will be the first person I think of. Thank you again for the training you provide for both dogs and owners! Talk to you later.

Hi Hector,
I just wanted to tell you something that happened over the weekend.
Matt and I took the dogs to the Hawk Island dog park on Friday. It was flooded after all the rain we had over the week, but it was still fun for the dogs. Towards the back, there was this small green barricade that we thought was supposed to keep people from going towards the back, but in no way shape or form would that keep the dogs from going back there. In fact, Eva followed 3 other huskies to the back of the park. She was taking a really long time to come back, so I decided to walk through the water and go get her. I wasn't worried since that park is supposed to be completely fenced in. However, they had a part of the gate open because they were pumping water out of the park, and the workers in the back told me that Eva and the other 3 huskies took off outside the park. I immediately let Matt know and also notified the owners of the other huskies. The workers told me where they went so I took off looking for Eva. As I go around a bend in the back road, Eva comes trotting back because she heard me calling her. The other 3 huskies are still missing. I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done for our dogs. I truly believe that it was the training that we've given Eva that made her come back, because she could have easily taken off with the other 3 dogs.

Thank you again.
Patricia 5/09

Hector,

I can't thank you enough for all of your help with my Great Pyrenees, Ben.  I could not believe that after your first class, that I had Ben following commands.  The most incredible accomplishment is that Ben follows the down command!  We were very excited to pass your class and your class gave me the confidence to continue working with Ben and to work with our rescue dog, Macy.

Macy, a one year old Pyr, came to us as a rescue.   Macy was very sick and very under weight.  The only thing that was known about her background was that she didn't get along with her Mom.  Things were ok at first, then she started guarding her food, toys and me!  She would go after Ben quite viciously when he would come by anything that Macy was protecting.   Once again, I called for your help, and with your extra suggestions, and with the training that I learned in your class,  I am so happy to tell you that Macy is no longer having the guarding and attacking issues and she is a wonderful, loving dog!  With your help, we were able to save a dog that most likely would not have been able to stay with us or would have been very hard placing her in another home.  And to even make thing better,  my daughter moved back home with her Siberian Husky and cat and they all get along wonderfully!!  Thanks to you, we are one big happy family!

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