Testimonials
We just finished our first class with Caitlin and Austin Dog Zone. Not only did our eight month old Jezzibel learn so much, we really learned the right ways to act both when she is doing something good and when she’s acting naughty! Not to mention we had a blast while doing it! Jezzibel adored Caitlin…she just has this incredibly special relationship with all dogs that you will see the moment your dog meets her.
I cannot highly recommend taking a class with Caitlin enough. She has helped us train Jezzibel with the basics and given us the skills to keep up the training so Jezzibel will improve even more. We can’t wait to sign up for our next class with Caitlin!-Hillary B.
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My training experience with Caitlin was awesome! I learned a great deal about Positive Reinforcement Training and Caitlin always had a great way of explaining it. She had many ways of teaching a behavior, if one way didn’t work she always had a second option. She taught me how to get my dog to listen to me because they wanted to, not because they had to. I was in 4-H, so I have trained dogs since I was 9yrs old. I learned the “old fashion” way of training dogs. Which was with a choke chain, and to give a correction whenever your dog did the wrong behavior. I did not like having to use such a harsh training method, but at that time I was not taught a better way. Now, times have changed and dog training methods are so much more humane.
I have always wanted to become a dog trainer and I didn’t like the “old’ training methods I was taught. So, when I heard about Animal Behavior College and how they taught only Positive Reinforcement Training I jumped at the opportunity to learn a new way of training dogs. I have learned so much through out the program and when I started my externship portion with Caitlin I gained a whole new perspective on dog training. You can tell that Caitlin is very passionate about her job as a trainer, she has a way with not only the dogs she works with, but the clients as well. She gave every client and dog the time and resources they needed to succeed.
Thank you Caitlin for all your help throughout my ABC externship. You have been a great help in making me see that there IS a different way to train dogs. And I am glad you are the one that I got to learn from. You made the classes fun, but very informative. I wish you all the best in your career.
Sincerely,
Crystal Sibo
Animal Behavior College Student
Sept. 2011
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Rue came into our lives when I found her running loose in Liberty Hill, Texas one day. We tried to find her home, but believed that she was set loose and dumped. I noticed how friendly and calm she was and had aspirations to make her a therapy dog, particularly to children, military veterans and disabled people.
I knew that Rue had the potential, but she lacked manners and obedience. She wouldn’t listen to me and had a terrible habit of chasing our horses. I had always had hunting dogs and admittedly have used force and traditional methods in the past for dog training. I’ll be the first to admit that the dogs lost their spirit and personality after being trained this way. My hunting dogs always acted fearful of being punished. I didn’t want to do that with Rue, so I contacted Caitlin.
After training sessions with Caitlin, Rue would return happy and confident to show off her newly learned skills. I needed my own training sessions from Caitlin to get the best from Rue because I had zero experience with this type of training. Caitlin was always patient with me and always helpful.
Now, Rue has near perfect recalls on our ranch, comes with me to work, and is doing therapy visits for my non-profit organization, Texas Serenity Group. Rue always had it in her, but I needed Caitlin’s help to bring out the best in our Rue. I’ve never had such a rewarding relationship like this before with a dog and I can’t thank Caitlin enough for her help!-Todd H.
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My two lab/great-dane puppies and I went through basic training with Caitlin, and we are planning to continue with her. Caitlin has a gift with understanding what makes sense to dogs, she is a strong believer in positive reinforcement which aligns with my philosophy. We had a great deal of fun in the class, and I never felt looked down on when my pups were misbehaving. My pups learned a great deal but what is more important is that I learned how to work with them better!
-Jill T.
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I rescued 10 year old Ranger from the English Springer Spaniel Rescue in late August 2010. He had been turned into a kill shelter in Dallas and was saved by someone there and ESR. His coat was in bad shape and his ears were a mess. He did NOT like to be messed with by vets, problem was he had ear infections. He had to be muzzled and finally bit the vet on the hand (no blood) while she was trying to muzzle him. After 6 months of this very stressful situation and still no good result for his ears, we started sedating him for treatment. This is not something a mother likes to do, nor do the vets, or Ranger. I saw Caitlin’s information at the vet’s office and they told me that she did private lessons, so I called her.
My goal has always been to get Ranger’s ears healed and to get him to trust me to put ear cleaner in his ears so that he can go swimming. Having always had swimmers, I have never seen a dog who enjoys the water more.
It has truly been a pleasure working with Caitlin. I love watching her work with Ranger and watching him learn. You can literally see the “wheels turn.” Sometimes it was hard not to laugh out loud at him as he thought through what he was supposed to be doing. He worked soooo hard for her, he was an exhausted, happy dog at the end of a lesson, and was always thrilled to see her come again.
Ranger is now ear infection free, allowing me to get cleaner in his ears – we make it fun – and will be swimming soon.
Of course, I learned as much or more than Ranger, to be patient,
work in increments, relax and enjoy. I was a tired and happy owner at the end of a lesson, my wheels were turning as well.
Judy
**Video of Ranger’s progress can be seen here**
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In 2007, I rescued my second dog, a 2 year old Akita. I decided take her to training classes to help socialize her. I was so fortunate to find Caitlin Lane to help me train my “Hemi” (short for my favorite author, Hemingway).
My training experience with Caitlin has been wonderful to say the least. Caitlin is so patient, both with owners and their dogs. The dogs are mesmerized by Caitlin; they love her immediately and desire her attention and direction. I immediately realized how special this trainer was, so I listened intently to her instructions and followed all of her advice from training to feeding and exercise. Caitlin is one of those special people you meet in life that have such high standards and strong commitment to her work—I can’t imagine training my dog with any other person.
My Hemi went through Caitlin’s beginner and intermediate level classes. Eventually, we took her Rally Obedience class, which was not only fun, but gave her more advanced skills and a greater sense of control for me. I decided I wanted Hemi to reach the goal of becoming an AKC Canine Good Citizen. The CGC test included tasks challenging for most dogs—especially independent-minded breeds like Akitas—so I was worried she wouldn’t be able to pass.
My only regret was that Caitlin is such a good trainer, it was only a short time before Caitlin announced “she’s ready.” I had mixed feelings about this, mostly because I enjoyed the classes so much that I knew this meant they were over. Caitlin was right; Hemi passed on her first attempt, with ease I might add. In one year, Hemi went from shelter incarceration to a true canine scholar, listed in the American Kennel Club’s archives as a Canine Good Citizen. Her diploma rests just above mine in my office.
Hemi is 6 years old now, and still to this day I follow the regiment I learned in Caitlin’s training classes. Hemi is the sweetest dog in the world, probably the best dog I’ve ever had. Everywhere I take her, people compliment her and tell me how terrific her personality and behavior is.
Caitlin Lane is such a special person, her passion for good in the world, and commitment to being a positive force in the world is so special, that it was just an honor to train with her. I have had the opportunity to meet an interact with many famous people from many sectors of life, the movie industry, professional sports, national politics, I have certainly been fortunate to get to know many highly intelligent, beautiful and powerful people. I have yet to meet anyone who has a more exciting positive lasting effect on me than Caitlin Lane. My Hemi agrees. Hopefully my testimonial will reach some people who want to have a one of a kind relationship with a well behaved, wonderfully trained dog.
-Franklin M.
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Hi Caitlin,
Here is a letter of reference written by our daughter Heidi, who is now 13. God bless you in your business!
May the Lord bless you,
Ian D., President
(Click link below to read testimonial)
Caitlin Lane letter of reference by Heidi 020510
