My dog, Cozmo (black standard poodle), is great ... folks are always amazed at how well trained he his. Luckily, he's smart as a whip so it's not too difficult for me. :)

My aunt and uncle in Northridge are great too.

Sheryl Reinschmidt

Kuvasz Inga Delaporte (one of our alumni) with
her "co-workers” at Dr. Carol Marienthal-Skaar’s office
 - Toluca Burbank Dog and Cat Hospital!
 They received Best in Burbank honors in the local paper!

I wanted to write to thank you for the training class I recently attended with Fiona. As you know, Fiona is a rescue dog, and she has trust issues. I decided to take the class because I was at the point where I dreaded coming home from work and dealing with the three-corgi-pileup at the back door. My reasoning was that some intense one on one time with Fiona would strengthen our relationship and help her figure out her place in the household.

The outcome of the training has been very successful! Fiona now:

1. Greets me more calmly and greets guests more calmly
2. Comes when I call her
3. Comes into the house after potty time without running around and hiding in the garden...in fact, she has started RACING to the back door with a flourish to collect her cookie!
4. When I tell her to "wait" before letting her out, she does
5. On the walks, she doesn't pull as much and she checks in with me and falls back if she's too far ahead

Now that Fiona knows what is expected of her, she is much more relaxed, and she feels like a special dog - I ask, she responds, she gets a treat and attention. It's all very positive.

I know a lot of people think that dog training is a bad thing - we should let our dogs be DOGS and not boss them around. I wanted to write to you to testify that in my experience, it just isn't true. My girl is happier, her canine friends are happier, and our relationship is stronger than ever. Feel free to share this letter if you'd like.

Regards,
Debbie Hartzman
 

hi Karen,

don't know if you remember us- guy (the dog- Australian shepherd, class spring '10 at Northridge park), Elliot and Mac- but we are still so grateful for your kindness and patience and instruction. Guy is a very good doggie, thanks to YOU! good luck with your new classes.

best

Elliot and Mac 

and Guy!

Subject: Eva update 

Hi Karen,

I thought you might appreciate some positive feedback from one of your former students, so I'm writing to let you know what a great dog Eva is becoming. After working with her for almost a year now, something finally seemed to "click" with her this week, and she started walking loosely on leash suddenly on Thursday night. She had gotten into a habit of always walking to the end of leash and not pulling hard, but just enough to know where the end of the leash was. If I gave it more slack, she inched farther ahead. The other night, after a long week at work, I'd had it with the sneaky walking, and I stopped in my tracks and pulled her back behind my left leg and looked her in the eyes, and for the first time she acted like she had done something wrong (instead of that "who, me?" look I usually get!). From that moment on, she has been walking at my side with slack in the leash. Then last night, while we were waiting at a busy intersection for a friend to pick us up, Eva saw another dog approaching. I was sitting on a step and she was lying at my feet and she just watched in a very relaxed way. Meanwhile, a crowd of people walked by and a car drove past and another dog barked from the window of the car and she just lay there taking it all in. This was a dog that I thought might never be able to handle this kind of situation, and to see her being so poised and calm made me so proud of her. 

One of the things that I think I've done recently that has possibly helped Eva make more progress is "modeling" the calm behavior I want from her. One of her biggest issues is that she reacts when she sees other dogs on walks. I decided recently that instead of correcting her when she reacts to other dogs, I simply say "it's okay" and keep walking as if the situation is completely normal--I am careful not to change my gait or my breathing and not to talk to her more (or less). If she looks at me, I click and treat, but other than that, I don't make a big production out of it. I finally realized that if I want HER to act as if the situation is normal, then I have to act like it's normal! I don't know that we could have necessarily started out with this approach, but all those little steps along the way have gotten us to this point and it feels like it's all finally coming together!

To any dog owner who is feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, let this be an example of how persistence can pay off. It has taken much longer than I expected it to, to make this kind of progress, but I'm glad I hung in there and didn't give up. Thank you so much for all your training and advice. Eva is a rescue dog and I have taken her to several different classes and trainers over the past year, and you have, in my opinion, by far the soundest and most effective training techniques. 

On a different note, I was so sorry to hear about your husband's heart attack. That sounds so scary! I'm glad he has pulled through. My father had a heart attack at age 59 and had stints (is that what they're called?) put in. He changed his diet too, and he's been doing great. My thoughts are with you both. Thanks again for all your help!

Regards,
Madena Asbell

My little ones are doing so well. Peace and harmony are well established in our home thanks to you.

Love and blessings,

Meg

You would not believe what a well behaved (well, sometimes...) young man Einstein has turned into.  Hard to believe how far he has come - thanks for all your help.  Look forward to seeing you in advanced class shortly.

Andrea Luboff

Thanks for the Valentine, and thank you so very much for all of your help with POLO. He had his operation on January 19th, and appears to be on the mend, but it is a long process. We have a vet appointment for an x-ray tomorrow and will keep you up to date.

Love,
Polo, Steviann and David

Ellie is doing great, she is 80lbs of pure muscle.  She still likes to walk a little fast but she is still a puppy so hopefully that will settle her down, otherwise she is very well behaved and I thank you for helping us with her. Happy Holidays Michele Birch

I hope you and your family are well. Our baby is now 10.5 months old! That must make your son over 18 months, I think. You must be having so much fun with him! Tristan is so happy and fun and just loves Savannah so much. They are getting along great thanks to your help! Take care, just wanted to say that we're still benefiting from the baby proofing work you did with me and Savannah (Grate Dane/harlequin) when I was pregnant. Leslie Leslie Godwin sent this to me to show off our pre-baby training with her Great Dane, Savannah.  This is what happens sometimes when one attempts to socialize a dog with their new human brood!  You can't tell where the dog begins and Tristan ends!

Hi Karen, Zeus' friends say "thank you, Karen."  We were having trouble getting our buddy to sit for this photo before he trained with you! Mavis Leahy

dear friends & family, The last 3 weeks have been so hard, our healthy year old puppy had deteriorated at such an alarming speed- with no concrete diagnosis. today I made the extremely painful & difficult decision to have Zeus euthanized.  we saw the specialist this morning, she was able to palpitate some new lymph nodes, and in her opinion, she felt without a doubt it was lymphoma.  the prognosis was extremely grim, with his being so young and so large a dog- this is one of the hardest choices I have ever had to make-but in my heart I know it was the right one, he had suffered enough. thank you for all your wishes and concerns, thank you to all of you who were helping him to overcome his many "issues" -you helped make him a happy boy.  in his very short time with us he stole our hearts- he will be missed terribly  xo mavis

"Great news! I can't overemphasize how much me and my dogs are enjoying training through your group and Barbara."

Michelle Sherman

From: Tifaniee
To: karen taylor
Subject: Re: Boarding, coming soon/New Classes!

I just want to thank you and let you know that I have no idea how but I have trained my dog which is a Yorkie well...I have no idea how it happened she dose everything right I guess she knows use the doggie door to go out when she has to go and things like roll over, sit, lay down....she very well behaved....I did I guess what you told me to do and it worked...Thanks....

Snoopy is doing very well. Thanks to your recommendation of Dr Parks we now have his arthritis under control, the thyroid is under control, he's lost a lot of weight, and we're working on his asthma (food allergies are suspected so he's on a raw diet). He gets complimented wherever he goes for his good manners. We owe it all to you.

All the best,

Cate

(see the graduates section under what’s new) Cate Bramble & Snoopy

Thank you Karen.  Snow is doing really well and is well behaved. We owe that to you! Also Karen, I wanted to invite you to look at our website www.wethepeoplelosangeles.com  We do lots of legal document preparation including Living Trusts and incorporation.  Check it out and let me know if we could be of any help to you or anyone you know. Wishing you the best. Thanks, Reza Jadvar

The training Brinks received with your organization was fabulous and I always recommend you. Thanks.

Best Regards,
Courtney

Thanks, please keep me on your list.  I haven't seen you for a while but Kukla, my Am Staffie, is still the love of my life ---- yes she does stretch out full length if Paul dares to take up too much room!!  I'm not doing special training with her now but she learned so well from you and has been a very well mannered little girl (most of the time!!) I just wanted to say Hi, and thank you again for being such a great friend to the animals. Love, Jonne-Marie

I just wanted to let you all know that I had to put my best friend in the entire world down yesterday.  I wanted to give you all a special Thank You for helping me make Duke the Best Rottweiler, Best Friend and my the light of my life. We've had so much fun in all of your classes Through your training and communication I've learned so much. . It gave me the strength to hold him as he passed through to the other side. As teachers you really add so much to our lives with our animals.  You are very special.  I still remember the picture we took with you when we graduated from your advanced class. He had a bone in his mouth and I had the certificate.  Thanks again for all you do. Through all of your work and dedication, you taught us so much and I will always have a special place in my heart for all of you. Love, Susan Gonzales and Duke

"I am just calling the thank you for all your help with Cruiser (10 year old lab).  We did everything you told us to do and he is not having any accidents in the house!  I did not want him to go to a new home, but with kids around there just didn't seem like any other way. 
Thanks again...."   Monique Brown

Raisin is now three years old and quite a character.  He is handsome as well and stops people dead in their tracks wanting to know just what he is.  He is well behaved and a pleasure to own, thanks to you.  He still will only let strangers pet him if I tell him it is okay.  I guess that is not so bad.  He does not have an aggressive bone in his body and is really a big baby, although he likes to bully Polo who just gives in to him.   Lynne Cloobeck

My husband Ron & I picked up our new puppy 7 years ago with anticipation and happiness.  He was a cute, cuddly 5 week old rottweiler/retriever mix, and had HUGE paws!  We knew he'd grow up to be a big boy.  7 month's later (and 70lbs) after one chewed up pager, one chewed up portable telephone and several large holes in the ground, we knew it was time to call a trainer.  Sure, we'd taught him to sit.. but he'd sit for a few moments then go on his merry way without so much as a by-your-leave!

I made the phone calls, one after another, and left many messages, but there was one person who actually picked up the phone and talked to me; Karen Reardon Taylor.  She was up front and straight-forward with me, which I truly appreciated.  I set up an appointment with her, and the moment she entered our home, Sampson did his usual run-around-the-new-person-like-a-crazy-dog dance.  Well, inside of 5 minutes, Karen had him sitting quietly like a good boy, and Ron & I were sold.  We hired her for 10 sessions of private lessons and worked very hard with her and the techniques she gave us.  It's now 7 years later, and Sampson remains a gentlemen-dog who is a pleasure to be around, whether it's an infant child, whom he's so gentle with, or rough-housing with an older adult, and knowing when to stop.  Karen also helped us find a companion for Sampson, of course we named her Delilah, and Karen helped us train her as well.  Karen's become more than just a dog trainer we hired, but a friend as well.  When Sampson became ill with Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia, she was there with us as we fought for Sammy's life.  I'm happy to say Sammy's 100% cured and healthy as a horse!

I would (and have) recommend her to anyone in need of positive training for their pet(s).   Thank you! Anne & Ron Craig and Sampson & Delilah

"Being a Veterinarian with my own practice, I spend very long hours at work. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to spend on my hobby, breeding and showing Champion Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. It is crucial that my dogs are comfortable and obedient in the show ring. I'm very happy that I found Karen & Jeff at 'My Best Friend' dog training. Since I've had them working with Stella and Crawford, Crawford has become a show champion and Stella is on her way! Thanks Karen & Jeff."

Dana Bleifer, DVM Warner Center Pet Clinic

"Just wanted to thank Jeff for helping us out with Max our 9 month old golden last night. A lot of what he teaches us is so easy to understand! It just takes him to explain it. So much can be tied into our experience raising children. (Which we think we've successfully done so far twice!) I guess dogs are people too sometimes. Jeff is also good with the kids. Thank you too to Karen for her phone dog psychoanalysis! I tried the plastic bottle stuffed with kibble and peanut butter, it worked! We plan to attend repeats in March in Toluca Lake."

Thank you again! Polly

"Just a note to thank you and your staff for the past eight weeks of beginning obedience for my dog "Chief," who I lovingly refer to as "Cujo." When Chief first dragged me into the class, I was covered with fresh wounds over about 80% of my hands and arms, and holes in every sweatshirt I own. He had bitten my 6-year-old son's penis while trying to remove his pajama bottoms, and had chewed up several beds, blankets and rugs. I had offered him for lounging purposes. All this, in spite of my constant vigilance and diligence in what I thought was "training." Lucky I found you, Karen, or my son John would probably be undergoing completion of sex-change surgery by this time. We sincerely appreciate your professional approach to training, and the difference in Chief is remarkable!"

Respectfully,

Margaret Dolin

A letter from Bernie Kopell of Loveboat:

www.berniekopell.com - Bernie Kopell of Loveboat

www.kissonline.com - Famous rock group Kiss