FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Our services are varied and so therefore is the process. But every customer is asked to meet with us for a free consult first, where we can discuss your troubles, goals, and expectations. Every dog is different, there is no magic button to push for a fully trained dog, so the length of time it will take for each dog to reach its full potential is different case by case. During that initial consult we'll give you a realistic estimate as to what your dog needs.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
We are a family ofhandler/trainers with more than 100 combined years of experience. Bill started working with dogs when he was 10 years old, and since has done just about everything you could think to do with a dog. He met Sue when she came to one of his puppy classes, and took her under his wing. Katherine and Virginia grew up in the business, learning to growl before they learned to speak! The Burrell family has worked around the world, having either worked on, or had clients from, 5 of the 7 continents. We've trained dogs for movies, for police, military, and protection work, for service work, therapy work, and for obedience, agility, rally, and conformation showing. All these areas and more. We've helped to rehabilitate hundreds of aggressive or fearful dogs, some of whom would have been euthanized otherwise. We have coached numerous people into being successful trainers and handlers, with approximately 100 students who have taken Best in Show to date. Last year we put 35+ titles on dogs we handled. Bill co-founded the United States Temperament Testing Association (USTTA), a system of determining whether or not a dogs' temperament is appropriate for its breed.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
Just recently, we had a success story that's certainly one of our favorites. About a year and a half ago, we had someone approach us with a Samoyed named Mojo that had become extremely aggressive. They told us that he had exhibited more aggression than was normal for a sammy when he was just a puppy, so they put him in a puppy kindergarten class, but he only got worse. So they tried taking him to a Schutzhund trainer. (Schutzhund trains dogs to do guard work- have you ever seen a guard dog demonstration where the dog bites the sleeve of the attacker? That's Schutzhund.) The Schutzund trainer misread Mojo's behavior, thinking that he was being aggressive simply because he was trying to climb the pack. His solution was to harshly correct him at every sign of aggression. While that may have worked with another dog, it only made Mojo worse. His owners turned to us in desperation. Mojo was supposed to be a show dog, but every time he entered a show building, he got so aggressive that it wouldn't be safe to show him. When they brought Mojo to us, it became apparent that his aggression was fear based, not dominance based. We taught him that he could trust us, that we would protect him and that he didn't have to worry about anyone else. He responded rapidly to our training methods, and his confidence began to climb. Soon he was able to participate in our dog class relaxed, happy, and with a waggy tail. After a year and a half, Mojo now looks forward to shows, participates in them gleefully, and is just one major away from his championship! His aggression is gone, his confidence is high, and we could not be more proud of him and his family.