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Have a good dog? Want a GREA. Dog?

"After bringing Harlie home
from the academy we were
so thrilled with having our
puppy back, being able to
correct her properly and
now getting to "enjoy"
having her. Lisa and her
staff are absolutely amazing
and this was the best thing
we could have ever done
not only for the Harlie but
for our family."

— Heather Mclnchak-Worley

"I truly feel the Canine
Academy lives up to all
their advertising. If you
experience the training,
you will never want another
dog that is not trained
to the caliber that this
school offers!"

- Bob and Sherry Mosser, Oxford, MI

raduates of the training programs at
Canine Academy go on to become
model dogs that are a source of pride
for their owners. Canine Academy owner, Lisa
Farlin, wants dog owners everywhere to know
that this outcome is possible, no matter the
circumstances.
"Raising a dog can bring you both joy and
frustration" Lisa said. "A well-trained dog can
be a part of any aspect of your daily life
without being the center of it. Owning a dog
can be an amazing experience; it doesn't have
to be frustrating."
More than 20 years ago, Lisa enrolled
her rescue dog, Montana, in a basic training
program. At the time, she was working in
customer service, and although she had
always been a dog lover, had no training
experience of her own. But, that soon
changed. Montana completed the program,
but Lisa was not completely satisfied with the
outcome. Although the training may have been
adequate for some dogs, Montana's behavior
was not still up to par. Lisa had envisioned
bringing Montana with her everywhere, even
horseback riding and vacationing.
During Montana's class, Lisa had become
fascinated by the training process and began
to assist the trainers in the basic course. At
the same time, she discovered safety, or "off
leash," training, a more intense program
that allows owners to retain control of their
dogs, even without a leash. Montana went
on to complete a safety training program,
and graduated with the results that Lisa had
originally hoped for.
For Lisa, however, the training wasn't
complete. She studied under and worked with
the Applied Animal Behaviorist and Trainers

G

for a total of four years before eventually
families will continue to receive support from
purchasing a dog kennel — Canine Academy's
the Academy for an entire year by participating
original location in Metamora in 1997. Lisa
in outings held in a variety of locations in the
originally had planned to focus on dog boarding,
local area.
but switched over to training programs
Off leash training works by overriding
when she discovered the high demand for
distractions such as people, other animals,
this service. Although Lisa eventually sold
traffic, and food, and is accomplished
that first location,
through avoidance
Canine Academy
motivation and positive
now has four training
reinforcement rather
centers
located
than punishment.
in
Birmingham,
Dogs that complete
this training are happy,
Clarkston, Rochester
and Oxford.
relaxed, confident, and
The
Academy
obedient.
offers both basic —
In
addition,
the
or on leash training
Academy offers
a
Therapy
— and off leash
Preparation
training. Obedience
class which is available
classes are held
to graduates of the off
weekly at each of the
leash program or the
Academy's locations
Intermediate obedience
and are ideal for
class. The Therapy
owners who want
Preparation class guides
— The Hoeglers, Birmingham, MI
to train their own
dogs and their owners
dogs. The Academy
through the necessary
offers Beginner,
steps to become a
Intermediate, and Advanced obedience
registered therapy team. Therapy dogs are
training along with Agility and Therapy
welcome in nursing homes, hospitals, schools
Preparation.
and a variety of other facilities.
Off leash training is conducted at the
Despite all of the Canine Academy's offerings
Birmingham location and is the right choice
and locations, Lisa remains the company's
for those who want their dog trained by a
sole trainer. This arrangement helps Lisa
professional. Over a six week period, dogs will
build relationships with her customers and
train in the presence of people, other dogs,
gives the dogs predictability. Canine Academy
traffic and wildlife. Training also takes place
does have many other employees to care for
in a variety of locations including downtown
the dogs, many of whom were customers
areas, inside stores, and at the parks. Upon
first. New employees undergo an extensive
completion of the program, dogs and their
internship in which they learn the business

"It was an amazing
transformation after
only 6 weeks; Macy
definitely returned home
a great dog. Our only
regret with the Canine
Academy is that we
didn't enroll Macy in
it 5 years earlier."

thoroughly. "No matter which location you go
to, or which employee you're dealing with, you
always get the same level of service," Lisa said.
"You'll always be greeted by someone who
is confident in their work and is familiar with
what we do."
Canine Academy offers boarding, but only to
those who are past graduates of the Academy.
"Dogs are always happy to come stay with
us," Lisa said. "Because they've been here and
have had amazing experiences with us, they're
comfortable and enjoy being in a controlled
setting in which they're familiar."
It's been many years since Lisa left her job
in the corporate arena, and she's never looked
back. "I love the learning process that goes
into training, and I love seeing dogs gain peace
and confidence; it's so satisfying," she said. "I
love working with people and animals. A well-
trained dog can change the life of the family.
Each dog brings new experiences and learning.
My job is different and exciting every day."
Canine Academy has clearly been successful
and has plans to open a new Oxford location
in 2015. But, for Lisa, the secret to her success
really isn't much of a secret. "When you do
something you love, it clears the path for
success," she said. "Even if I didn't have to
work, I'd still be training dogs."
The Canine Academy's motto is "Have a
good dog? Want a GREAT dog?" and customers
have consistently discovered they had a
great dog without evening knowing it. Even
those who thought they had a "good dog,"
were surprised at the positive changes they
experienced during and after the training.

For more information on the Canine
Academy, visit www.greatdogs.org .

JN

February 27 • 2014

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