Dog owners share their challenges and triumphs...

Bailey

I have always wanted a dog I could take to a library, or to school to read with kids, or to a hospital to visit patients, or take any place where I can share my loving dog.
 
After working with Heather VanKalker I now have a “Therapy Dogs International” certified dog---Bailey. He is the dog for the “Reading with Bailey” program at the Kalamazoo Public Library this summer.
 
Two years ago I enrolled in a dog obedience class at a local pet store. I was lucky to get Heather as my instructor. She has a very gentle but firm way of teaching you how to train your dog. I took two obedience classes at the store with Heather and then hired her for private training to help us pass the TDI test for certification. Heather created several “real life” training situations; meeting all over town to expose Bailey to different conditions; going to a skate board park to familiarize him with the noise and actions of active kids. Our last two sessions were a run through of the test for the Canine Good Citizen award, which was basically for my confidence, not Bailey’s!
 
After taking the test and passing it, the evaluator said that I should become an evaluator for TDI—my dog was so well trained! At the time we passed the TDI test, we also received the “Canine Good Citizen Award”. Bailey proudly wears both tags when we go visit.
 
Heather has taught me a lot about my dog. Several of his problems were really my fault. Now, I know how to correct both his behavior and mine. She also reminded me that training Bailey should be FUN for both of us. Now Bailey jumps with excitement when I get his training leash out.
 
I highly recommend Heather VanKalker as an extremely capable dog obedience instructor. She is very good at teaching you how to train your dog and having you and your dog enjoy the process.
 
Anita Lawson and Bailey

Scout


We recently hired Heather to help my husband and I better understand our 13 year old beagle Scout. We asked her to help us with her disruptive barking, whining, and needy behaviors. It did not take Heather long to realize she had her hands full, not so much with Scout but with Scout’s “mother”. We cannot begin to thank Heather enough for her honesty, her professionalism, and her genuine interest in helping us. It did not take her long to assess the situation and then help us in the right ways to correct Scout’s aggravating behaviors. Introducing us to the EZ swivel leash and showing us how to correct her and walk her in the appropriate way has made a tremendous difference.

We can now eat a full meal, watch T.V., and actually relax without yelling at the dog! We have learned so much from Heather in a short amount of time. More importantly, we now have the much needed confidence to take charge of bad behavior situations and enjoy our Beagle instead of constantly be frustrated by her. It truly is never too late to teach an old dog a new trick! We highly recommend Heather for all your dog training issues. She is one in a million. Thank you so much for making our lives much more enjoyable!

Most Sincerely,
Kerry & Joe Block

Meeka


Living with a Pomeranian started off not so enjoyable. I read the books and did my homework on raising a Pom puppy only to find my sweet cute little puppy Meeka was out of control. Working with Heather on obedience with Meeka helped transform a wild puppy into a healthy fun dog. I started to enjoy working on daily exercises suggested by Heather to improve my companionship with Meeka. Heather spent class time working with Meeka and provided individual training time when needed. Heather’s ongoing support has been appreciated and valued as Meeka grows into an enjoyable companion dog.

Heather's compassion and understanding of dogs make for a fantastic trainer for dog and owner.

Much Appreciative Dog Owner,
Sandi

OMG Heather is truly a DOG WHISPERER!

Having been turned away by other trainers, my experience with Best Friend Academy has proven that even the most disobedient friend can be rehabilitated.
I came to her with my wild and crazy black lab, Quincy, half expecting her (Heather) to retreat and direct us to the door! Heather didn’t flinch, but immediately took control of the hyper-active-strong willed girl and with patience, love and direction turned my dog into a much better friend and companion than I ever thought possible. She made me into a better dog care provider in the process. I can’t say enough about her training process and the other classes she provides just makes dog ownership so much more enjoyable.

I truly thank her for her dedication to making all dogs and owners better citizens.

Chris Schmidt

Bella

...thanks for the recent work w/Bella. She doesn't run away any more!!!! This is huge for us. She can be outside in our front yard with us and doesn't run.

Thanks again,

Marcea Mones

P.J.

As a college student, I wanted that cute little purse puppy I could take around... so I bought one, didn't research breeds... just made an impulse decision. Bad job on my part. From the moment I got P.J., I knew I had made a mistake; he was the devil reincarnate. He peed and poo'd everywhere, bit (not just little puppy bites, but aggressive biting), chewing everything he could get his mouth on, barked incessantly when I put him in his crate... I was at my wits end. Two weeks after I got P.J. I thought I would put him up for sale in the local newspaper. But, I knew I had made a commitment to P.J. and I was willing to try some things and see if I could hang in there.

Seeking advice on potty training, crate training, chewing, and general help, I went to Best Friend Academy and met Heather. She helped me by talking about different solutions I could try with PJ, but since I had just made a big purchase I couldn't afford the obedience classes.

The advice helped, but by 8 months, P.J. was not only a "bad dog" he was also going through his "juvenile stage" as Heather told me. So, I gave in, and I paid for my first basic obedience class. Just from that, I saw a miraculous change in P.J.

Still in contact with Heather, I needed someone to watch P.J. while I went out of town over Christmas vacation in 2006. Heather told me she could train him while boarding him and I figured Heather would be able to handle him. He was still so bad… destroying everything... but he did know basic obedience. I was actually worried for Heather's sake leaving him with her. I came back from my vacation and I thought she had gotten rid of P.J. and got me a whole new dog... P.J. was a COMPLETELY different dog. He listened, he obeyed, and he never put a foot outside of the boundaries I gave him.

But then I started slacking.... he would still mind me, just not as well as he used to. I decided to take another one of Heather's training classes at Best Friend Academy, this time, Intermediate level. P.J. excelled. Even the commands he never learned before, he got the hang of right away because of how precise Heather's training had been months before. Heather really gave P.J. the basis for all obedience commands. How she did it… I will never know. All I do know is how grateful I am to have found Heather. In this crazy world where everyone's trying to be the new "Dog Whisperer"... she is the real deal. She knows what she is talking about. She has taught me how to be a better pet parent, just by giving my dog (and me) boundaries. She always reminds me that he is a dog and needs those boundaries and that dogs like to work for what they get, otherwise they will be unbalanced. That is the truth in my book, because my dog is perfect!!

I have gone from wanting to get rid of him 2 weeks after I got him… to not being able to think about him passing away in 12+ years. Heather has made me a better person and my dog a better dog.

Thank you Heather, for everything you have done for me and P.J.

Nikki Budaj