Dogs We Trained / Success Stories

While shopping at Equus Now, an employee and friend told me about the blue-ribbon job Acme Canine did with her deaf dog. My friend gave me an information sheet and I called to set up an appointment.

First, Trainer Lisa came to my home and observed my two male Labrador Retrievers, seven year old Levi and his two year old son, Dewey, to evaluate them for placement in the most appropriate classes. She was professional and observant while patiently allowing me to tell all about our pets which we wanted to have educated.

We decided on six weeks of canine therapy dog classes. My husband and I each took a dog and we loved it! The training sequences were broken into clear, effective progressions. Levi and Dewey were coached so they had dog-type fun. As for me, scheduling problems arose and I had to use three different people to help by attending the classes. No problem for the trainers! Their focus was on my labs. Acme Canine scheduled make-up classes, too.

As a result of the Acme Canine instructions, Dewey and Levi are part of the Ohio Horseman's Council trail maintenance team. Dewey wears a pack and carries extra clippers, tape and water for us. the dogs wait while we cross streams and follow when released. They are obedient and remain in place when tools such as chain saws and gas weed-whackers are used. My energetic and powerful pups have grown into partners who know my commands and obey them!

We are looking forward to more classes to hone our skills and continue to enjoy a very rewarding person-dog relationship.

Gelene Heinlen, Lewis Center Ohio

Toby came to Acme Canine with some mild aggression and anxiety issues. Since his week long stay he has become a much more relaxed and well behaved dog. The facility is one of the cleanest kennel/training centers I have ever been in. The staff was very friendly and professional and Laura did a great job working with our entire family to make Toby a happier dog. We get emails and post cards about how to do new things with Toby and to keep him being the well behaved dog that he learned to become. I would highly recommend Acme Canine to anyone that needed help with their canine family member!

The Menningers, Powell Ohio

I think the biggest thing for me is that your motto about teaching dog owners new tricks is so very true- you teach a combination of skills/behaviors, a new attitude, and the confidence to carry those things out. You taught me that I needed to make changes in order for the dogs to do so, and that I couldn't treat the dogs like they were all the same, because they all have different needs from me.

You have always taken a very personal interest in both the dogs and their people. That was true in the CGC class with Gryffin and when you came to the house. I felt like you worked to get to know all of us and responded in a very personalized way. On the flip side of that, you are absolutely consistent with the dogs and were a great role model of that behavior to me.

I had never done any actual dog training before the CGC class, and then when I was having the problem with the girls I was really scared and at a total loss as to what to do. You were very calming and reassuring, and your confidence and knowledge made me feel more confident that it was a solveable problem. Then you came in and gave us very practical and immediately workable skills that made changes. Who could ask for any more than that?!

Mel Feinberg, Delaware Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
I had toured many facilities before I chose Acme Canine. What I feel is unique about them is that they are not a facility, they are a service. The other places were just that. Everywhere else that I had toured seemed very sterile and uncomfortable. I have have never felt this way about Acme Canine. Being in the customer service business, I am always critical about the service I get. Never could I criticize Acme Canine because I felt at ease and a home right away. They are very unique in the way in which they make you , and most importantly, your dog feel as if you were the only client they were attending to.

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
Your service for me was invaluable. Having a special needs dog can be very difficult at times. Without Acme's training I would not have been able to communicate with either of my deaf dogs. Without being able to communicate with my dog I wouldn't be able to give her the home that she has. To me, Acme's training was the best investment of time and money I could have ever made. Gracie thanks you for that. I know Lexi did too.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
Before working with Acme Canine , there was no communication with either one of my dogs. Both being deaf, it was hard for me to teach them sign language without really knowing it myself. The addition of the e-collar was a huge help. Now I CAN communicate with Gracie and at the same time get the proper respect from her. It's wonderful to give a special needs dog a chance when no one else will. Acme Canine has played a major role in both Lexi's and Gracie's lives.

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
My biggest concern was how I would be able to maintain the same relationship with my dog that had been established by Acme Canine. Would I be able to continue with the training she had been through? My concern was put to rest through all the follow ups and additional classes that are offered.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
Everything has improved. The most important being the communication I have with Gracie. Having a deaf dog isn't always easy, but with the hand signals and the e- collar training, I can really "talk" with Gracie now. This is so important because it allows me to give her a great home, which she may not have had the chance at before.

"Thank you for everything that you have done for me and my dogs, past and present!"

J. Hetzler, Delaware, Ohio

I feel like I should preface my comments saying that I have never used a dog trainer in the past with our first dog, other than to take him to puppy kindergarten, so I didn't really know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised when I began training with Callie because some of the corrections were so simple that I was able to see immediate results. Also, it was easy for me to implement these strategies when I was on my own with her. Another point that I found useful was the insight that you shared with me about how dogs think and reason. Boarding Callie with you is a uniques experience. Not only does she absolutely love being there, but I feel she gets exceptional attention and ongoing training. Our first dog always stayed at a kennel and I always felt badly dropping him off. There were many hours when the dogs were completely alone in the building and I felt they never cared to get to know him. Callie is in your home and is so obviously comfortable there. She gets to play with other dogs, with supervision, as well as lots of exercise within the safety of a fenced yard. She really needs a lot of stimulus and activity so this situation is ideal for her. Usually when I pick Callie up she is better behaved than when I dropped her off, and who doesn't love that:) The e-mails and pictures that are sent to us while we are away are beyond words wonderful!!!

Having Callie well trained made all the difference in the world for us, because initially I was overwhelmed with her inquisitive nature and nonstop activity. I was truly at wits end, until you offered to train her for us while she stayed with you for a week, even my adult children saw a huge improvement. You are a great resource Laura and I know that you are always available to talk and help me with whatever concerns I have. Lastly I want to add that while I have not been able to take advantage of the wide array of activities and training sessions you offer at your location, I love knowing that they are available and will definitely attend some at a future date. As a client you get the feeling that this is so much more than business, I feel that all of you are very invested in the families that you service, what could be better than that!

Bonnie Fussner, Dublin Ohio

The evening that our two newly adopted pups were dropped off by the rescue group, we looked at each other and realized our lives were going to quickly change. After having our last pair of dogs for almost 15-years, we had forgotten the challenges that curious cute puppies can pose. As the representative from the rescue group patiently answered all of our questions about the two pups' personalities, food habits, and daily routines, we realized it would be helpful to get us and the puppies off to a good start. We asked the representative for referrals of any dog trainers. Without hesitation, she gave us the name and contact details for Acme Canine.

We contacted Acme Canine the next day to arrange an appointment for an “interview”. Within the week, Laura Pakis was at our house, casually monitoring the pup's behaviors and interviewing us as dog owners. Laura's professional mannerism and feedback on our list of puppy questions quickly put us at ease, and we were hooked that Laura and her team of trainers were just the support we needed to get us and our pups off to a good start.

For the next few weeks, Laura and her associate, Lisa, were at our home once a week guiding us through proper training techniques. We were given homework after each session and worked diligently with our pups to follow-through with the assignments. We were amazed how quickly our pups reacted to the training and grasped the discipline and positive feedback that our new friends at Acme had taught us.

After a month, the Acme Team felt that our 6-month old pups would be good candidates for E-collar training. Our training with Acme was going exceptionally well; however, we wanted to take our pups to the next level. We signed up for the E-collar training and sent the pups off to “Camp Acme” for eight days of intensive training with Laura and her staff.

We were awestruck when we went to pick up the pups following their training. Laura had set up an hour of transition time and we were truly amazed to see that our pups were at a heightened level of positive behavior. We quickly realized that Acme Canine was unique among dog training services. Laura and her staff are extremely organized; we were handed a three-ring binder with all of the learning tools we needed to continue the pups' training with us. There was even a video that we used once we were home to help reinforce us with their training techniques.

However, that was not the end of our relationship with Acme; in fact, it was more like the beginning. Since that time, we have taken advantage of Acme's many socialization and behavioral programs that they conduct monthly at their impressive facility. We have used the Acme day care, which allows us to drop off our pups for the day and give them the freedom to be among other canine pals for a full day of supervised playtime. They leave at the end of the day with tails wagging and, as an extra benefit; they sleep very soundly from a full day of fun. We also appreciate that Laura and her staff always reinforce positive dog behavior and do not allow our pups or the other dogs at their facility to misbehave. We are touched by the staffs' large hearts and caring style for all of the animals left in their care.

When people praise us for our pups' good behavior, we do not hesitate to note that we and the pups were well trained by Acme Canine. The great staff, unique programs, and quality care will keep us coming back to Acme for support and tips to keep us and our pups on a positive path.

Sue - Mike Jones,Westerville Ohio

About a month prior to moving to Dublin, our German shepherd, Gypsy, completed a three-week, in-kennel training course. She is a rescue dog, and needed basic obedience plus socialization skills, particularly with other dogs. We needed to practice what Gypsy had learned, and searched for another trainer, with e-collar experience, to give Gypsy and us continuity in our new home. We talked with our vet and others, and found Acme Canine on-line. We interviewed several trainers, and Acme Canine stood out. We were particularly impressed with their experience training dogs, references and philosphy of positive reinforcement.

Shortly after our move, Gypsy boarded with Acme Canine for a period of two weeks when we were on vacation. We asked that training sessions be included during that time. We were amazed with the changes in Gypsy when we returned home. She was more confident, obediant, and most amazing, getting along with all the other dogs at Acme! This improved socialization with other dogs continued at home, with some help from at-home training sessions.

Acme Canine has given us a confident, happy, socialized dog, as well as given us the confidence we needed to work with Gypsy. We have found the trainers to be experienced, creative in their problem solving ideas and very positive. Thank you Acme Canine!

The Spencers, Dublin Ohio

Jamie was a red flag dog - wrong mix (lab chow), suspect rescue group (dogfighting county) and broken teeth. We ignored all of them. Something about Jamie and the way he looks at you is special and we chose to take this troubled one year old home. Within two days his dog-aggression was apparent as he attacked our older male lab mix. Knowing the alternative was to put him down, we took the advice of our veterinarian and called Acme Canine. Acme gave us the nod that this dog was not a 'bad dog' and could be helped. And help they did. Laura described him as an onion and that we needed to peel through the layers to get to the sweet core inside. Through the obedience training program and pack dog basics those layers are peeling off and Jamie has learned to control much of his aggression. Acme also taught us that not all dogs are alike and some, like Jamie, need a different kind of environment in order to thrive. They are always there for us with our questions on how to address Jamie's behavior of the day. There are lot of layers with Jamie! Acme took a dog that others would have put down and are helping make him a member of our family.

M. Deavers, Sunbury, Ohio

We've been working with Acme Canine for several years. Sparky loves his stays there and always comes back home happy, rested, and not surprisingly, better behaved. The Acme Canine people are kind, caring, and very devoted to their profession. Sparky is part of our family, and we can enjoy our time away knowing he is in good hands.

The Biharis, Worthington Ohio

When my husband Chris called, we didn't know if you would be able to help our sensitive situation. We loved our bulldogs Gus and Gertie so much, but their behavior was getting out of control. Laura immediately set up an appointment in our own home so she could see the dogs in their environment. This was crucial. We already knew Gus and Gertie didn't do well with other dogs, and one on one training at commercial businesses or trainers in the phone book always want you to go there. They came into our home and you could tell right away that they knew what they were doing! It's just like they say "we teach dog owners new tricks" this is so very true. Gus and Gertie are Bulldogs, stubborn to the 'T', but like all dogs, they wanted to please their owners. It was amazing after one month of implementing the changes what different dogs we had. Laura gave us homework to do every week, which we stuck to, and as with anything, the teacher will know if you haven't been practicing!

The biggest thing Acme gave us was a sense of hope. Our dogs were starting to over run our lives with bad behavior, and we felt we knew how to correct the bad behavior. Which was definitely not the case! Before Acme came into our lives we were always waiting for the next dog fight, always excusing the behavior (pulling, fighting, sitting on the couch, eating people food, whining, and not listening the first time they were told) and being a nightmare when company was over. Laura and the awesome Acme staff taught us there is no excuse for bad behavior.

Our biggest concerns before they came to our home were "Can they really help us so that the dogs don't pull on the leash?" and "how much is this going to cost?" Walking on a leash was just the beginning for our dogs, we saw dramatic improvement in one session. The cost was so reasonable for someone to come to your home and show you how to do things. I would gladly pay the money again as they are so well behaved now!

For our family being able to recognize that we needed more help than we could give our dogs was the first thing that Acme helped us with.The staff was so encouraging to us and the dogs, and there was always someone we could call or communicate with when we had questions.

The biggest improvements for us is that our dogs listen, and if they don't we know how to correct the behavior. By keeping the dogs in check they now know we are the "alpha!" Our one dog, Gertie, was so bad, my husband and I were convinced she would need to be put down. We felt with her "problems" she couldn't even be re-homed or given away. She had already bitten us and some of our family. With a baby on the way I put my foot down. That was it, no more bad dogs, or no dogs at all. The staff kindly took Gertie for a one week "boot camp" and she came back a reformed dog! We couldn't be happier that our daughter can pull and tug on Gertie and when she gets annoyed she just gets up and walks away. This would not have been the case if it weren't for Acme. People constantly complement us when we are on walks about how nice they walk and how well they listen. It's funny to notice now how many people have dogs that just run the show and bark and try to attack everything that walks by!

I tell everyone I know who has dog "problems" to give a call. They specialize in helping tailor a behavior modification program specific to your dog. I love my dogs more than ever now that they are behaved, and most importantly we get to enjoy them as good dogs.

Nicole - Chris Oehlers, Hilliard Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
Personal attention to the dogs; Acme staff treats the dogs as their own; Acme provides excellent feedback regarding dog's experience at the Spa

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
Value created with personal attention, attention to detail, and proof is in the pudding - dog that is trained stays trained, and focusing on training the owner a trademark feature of Acme.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
Chaos and lots of barking and lack of control of the "grasshopper"

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
None really - but not knowing the value that was going to be provided.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
Sasha is well behaved in private and public settings and she gets praised for her excellent demeanor - she needs a tattoo stating - Trained by ACME.

The Michaels, Worthington Ohio

Dakota, an old English Sheep Dog was about 3 years old when Acme Canine was contacted, based on a recommendation from a friend.

Acme Canine was charged with assisting with Dakota to:

• Stop Pulling the Leash on walks or when in public. She especially disliked anything on wheels i.e. skateboards and bicycles.
• Jumping on people as her initial greeting.
• Don't require a leash. Also was looking for some help with Commands i.e. Sit, Heel, Stay.

An Acme Canine trainer came to my home and did an evaluation. Within 3 Days, the trainer came back to my house and reviewed the assessment results and recommendations. We decided on a 7-day on-leash camp. Acme Canine tackled the opportunity and gave us status reports. Dakota didn't take well to the new environment, being around strangers and all. Dakota hadn't had a lot of socialization opportunities on her own. Little rough in the beginning, but Acme Canine worked through it. Acme Canine as part of working with Dakota on the opportunity at hand, socialized her on public paths and took her into the Polaris Mall, when dogs were allowed. She even got comfortable doing the escalator. After 7 days, Acme Canine brought Dakota to the house and worked with us to practice the new commands and demonstrate how to work with Dakota to behave and do what she is told. Dakota then spent 3 more days at Acme Canine to fine tune the new skills and completing the training.

Today:
Dakota just turned 6 and does a good job of retaining her training education. The key is doing it every day. Dakota has many opportunities on the 5.5 wooded acres of residence, and she is basically, leash-less. She listens very well, and though she gets a little lazy, she no longer pulls on the leash when used. Jumping on people as her greeting is minimal, and she doesn't get the leash, except in safety situations on busy roads or where there are a lot of people. Different breeds of dogs behave differently, but Dakota adapted well, as Old English Sheepdogs can.

Recommendation:
I'd recommend Acme Canine to everyone. The in-house assessment, the training experience and the results speak for themselves. Acme Canine assesses, recommends and adapts the training to your breed of dog.

Lessons Learned:
I wish we would have done it when Dakota was younger, and the Key to Success is using the training skill-set as part of the every day activities.

The Eldridges, Delaware Ohio

As you know, we are very pleased with the training Lexi received from Acme Canine. We had serious behavioral problems which stemmed from her “alpha” personality. Lexi is now 2 ½ years old and a very important and loving member of our family. We could not imagine our lives without her. Thank you for all of your hard work.

Chuck - Karen Boster, Galena, Ohio

WE TEACH DOG OWNERS NEW TRICKS

When Laura asked us, "How do you train your dog?" The answer was YELLING ... now we don't yell.

We have never trained a dog until we got Elle a year ago. We spent the year reading all the training books including Cesar's Way, but it wasn't working. We didn't talk dog and she didn't talk people until Acme Canine gave us new tricks to use.

Elle is not perfect, neither are we, but we are getting there. After only four lessons and lots of repeating, we have a dog that we are having fun with again.

We would like to thank Acme Canine for all the help and look forward to more fun and training with Elle.

Rosanne and Hank Vassaux, Powell Ohio

We loved working with you when you were starting the business. We got to know you and have a relationship with you and appreciated all of the experience and expertise of how you handled Sidney and your business. You were a referral to us so we already had a confidence in your abilities.

Our situation when we started was that Sidney was a puppy and he needed basic training and we needed to know how to follow through.

We also enjoyed as you grew and moved to your current location. We enjoyed your staff the property you have and the care with which you treat the dogs.

The greatest improvement is us being able to learn how to better control Sidney. He still struggles with being territorial and that can only be addressed at our house. So that is an area that has yet to be resolved.

Our reason for losing touch is we moved from Dublin to Marble Cliff. It is quite a haul out to Lewis Center from here.

Randy - Lynn Graham, Grandview Ohio

Your value/service/wisdom/experience were all wrapped up into one package and one major point: you delivered what you said you could do! When we brought Jasmine home from the Franklin County Shelter, she was relatively undisciplined and had obviously been on her own for awhile. She was housetrained and didn't beg from the table already, but once we got her outside, she was a ballistic missile on steroids!..no real direction, but going at mach 2 nonetheless! We had such immediate results with your E-collar and methods of getting through to her that we were finally walking together and not apart! It made our walks not only tolerable, but enjoyable after that first session! Your follow-up sessions were beneficial and filled with great tips and advice we could apply at any time, and Jasmine has done great! We've wholeheartedly recommended your services to other dog owners with new or unruly dogs....I can only hope they make the same call that we did! Thanks, Acme!

Davide & Sandy Cuccia, Columbus Ohio

Acme was one of several training facilities suggested by our veterinarian Dr. Daniel Lynn of Plain City. Although Dr. Lynn and his staff do not recommend specific trainers or Kennels, they said that several of their customers had used Acme and spoken very highly of their personnel, facility and services. After our initial telephone inquiry explaining to Acme what we wanted and expected we felt comfortable enough to schedule some puppy pre-school for Maxell and Samuel, our 3 month old border collies, half brothers born 1 day apart.

From the very first visit we both felt that our selection of Acme was the right one. Time was taken to make sure that we were comfortable with the facility but equally important that our puppies were comfortable with their new surroundings. We were walked, and talked, through every aspect of what the training would entail and offered continual opportunity to ask questions, request clarification or gain specific information. When the actual training began there was never a feeling of being rushed through the process and each dog was given ample opportunity to adapt to, and learn from, the ongoing session. Each session was truly "hands on", involving Acme trainer, other pet owners - us. That interactive environment with all the puppies, owners & trainers made for a very successful training experience.

To specifically determine what makes Acme special would be quite hard since we've never used another facility of this type. However, the obvious care given to keep the facility clean and orderly, as well as odor free, shows the kind of attention Acme pays to every detail of their business. Dogs and owners are greeted upon arrival and immediately made to feel welcome. And because limits are placed on the number of animals in the facility at any time Acme has shown that they not only realize their own limitations but this also ensures each animal will be provided with adequate individualized attention and care.

We decided we wanted Max - Sam to receive additional training after puppy pre-school because our previous Border Collie was not well socialized. Our living in a rural area limited his interaction with other dogs and people. That resulted in him being much more aggressive that we wanted or the UPS delivery man liked! Our goal was to be certain that our new puppies had the opportunity to interact with other dogs and people. Additionally, we also wanted to be able to control them, take them for walks and know they would behave when we have visitors. These basic functions were all successfully addressed when both dogs were boarded for a week in October 2009. Although there are still areas of the training where we have been less than rigid on follow-up, both dogs are quick to "recover" when we want, or need, to be a bit more strict. We feel strongly that this is a result of strong and thorough training they received from residence training with Acme.

We have never had an instance of leaving Acme feeling that we hadn't received everything we expected and more. Our concerns about the behavior of our dogs were addressed with the results we wanted! When we first visited Acme our dogs were puppies with the expected normal ornery characteristics found in any active breed. Acme helped us correct, adjust and redirect many of those behaviors with very positive results. Acme also helped us to understand - incorporate some behavior modification on our part that has gone a long way in helping our dogs become better pets - us better pet owners.

While Sam - Max are still a work in progress, they've made great improvements thanks to Acme! We appreciate all the help - guidance. Thank you to the professionals at Acme!

Michael Cordray - Rick Lowry, Dublin Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business? ACME provides personalized service and builds a relationship with their customers. They do the little things that make the difference between feeling like just another customer and feeling like a business that I have a relationship with.

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
Whenever our family goes out of town and we have to board Athena, ACME sends me daily emails telling me what Athena did during the day. This really gives me a sense of comfort knowing she is alright. It's also important to point out that Athena loves staying at ACME when we go out of town. All the staff members make her feel at home.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
Athena was pretty out of control. Not because she was a bad dog, but simple because she didn't have discipline and didn't have any limits. The first week after we adopted her my wife took Athena to a pet store to get her a new collar and my wife couldn't control her. The store manager asked my wife to leave because Athena was so hyper. A few days later we called ACME and had Athena enrolled in classes. While Athena was in training Laura took Athena back into the same pet store and took a picture of Athena sitting with a sales associate getting pets. This really showed us that we had a good dog, but she just needed some discipline.

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
There were 2 concerns that we had. The first was spending the money on the training without any guarantee how Athena would respond to the training. The second was if Athena was going to a safe environment for training. After completing the training I am confident that the benefit of the cost was a great bargain. Also, ACME is a really safe environment for anyone's dog. They treat your dog just as they would treat a member of their own family.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
Athena is a much happier dog now that she has learn parameters. She hardly ever gets in trouble because she listens to us and knows what her limitations are. ACME's training program definitely improved her relationship with the entire family.

The Gardner Family, Powell Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
I know this is a strange analogy but Acme is to dog training what "local" and "organic" are to the food industry. Acme is not a dog training machine with uninvolved and apathetic trainers and systems. Acme is a personal relationship service for you and your canine, improving the keys to any successful partnership - communication, understanding, respect and affection.

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
As owners, I think we are often the ones most apprehensive, uncertain and terrified of dog training - not the dog. Acme seemed especially sensitive to the needs of the owner(s); building confidence through personalized practice and encouragement - not something I would expect from every dog training service.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
I think one word can describe our situation prior to working with Acme - "rehome."

As new dog owners of an adolescent dog, we were at our wit's end. We loved our new puppy but we simply could not find a way to effectively manager her behavior. We tried everything from videos, to books from treats to intimidation. I think Lucy was even a challenge for Acme, not necessarily because she was a bad dog but simply because she is a very playful, active and often times stubborn dog. After meeting with Acme, we decided to do Doggie Boot Camp and the fate of our beloved Lucy was left in your hands - if she wasn't able to control her behavior when boot camp was over, she would have to find a new home. Happily, she learned her manners (as we learned how to be proper owners) and she's been a loving companion who just turned one year old in February.

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
Our biggest concerns were biting and playing rough. With two small children and a dog who turned out to be over 60 lbs., we had to make sure that Lucy understood that the kids were not her litter mates that she could nip and roll around with. Our cat felt equally as terrorized as we were not able to convince Lucy that she did not want to play chase! Lucy was also impossible to walk, as her enthusiasm for play and exploration were too much to control.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
Understanding and respect. Lucy now understands when it's time to play and when it's time to pay attention and mind her manners. It is not a one time fix though and Acme was most helpful in helping us to understand that training is a life long exercise and our relationship with Lucy depended on our commitment to her on going training.

I would also like to add that we won't board our dog anywhere but Acme. Our only constraint is financial. Acme is the most expensive boarding option we've found but having her stay at Acme is like having her stay at a second home. We've looked into other boarding options but for $18 to $25 a day, we couldn't see our Lucy pacing back and fourth in an 8 ft. by 4 ft. indoor "run" where she was expected to betray her house training instruction and "go" inside a building within her 8 ft. run area. Walks were extra and so was each 10 min. "play" time visit with a staff member. As a result, we probably travel less often as the cost of $48 a day adds up quickly but the peace of mind we get from leaving Lucy at Acme has been worth those times when we've been able to travel.

Thanks so much for your personal attention to training and we always recommend Acme to every dog owner we meet.

Robin - Jody Huhn, Sunbury Ohio

Acme Canine has been a huge help with Cassidy from the very beginning. Through their breed selection process we determined that a Labradoodle would be a good fit for our family. Since we have two small children, we also hired Acme Canine to help us select our puppy. This was a service that we found invaluable. Acme Canine ran through a series of tests on all the puppies that we were considering. We received a written report and video on each puppy. The results of these tests pointed us directly to Cassidy. We continue to work with Acme Canine to train Cassidy. She has participated in the group classes and private training sessions. Acme Canine is wonderful and always available to answer our questions. Cassidy is now 10 months old and is a wonderful addition to our family. We couldn't have asked for a better match. Thank you Acme Canine!

the Sabec family, Powell Ohio

Acme Canine helped us learn the training methods that work to train our Lab, Jibbit. When I first visited Acme Canine, I felt the compassion for the dogs they have at their facility and knew they would be perfect for the puppy we were getting. The classes are small enough so the dogs get the training and socialization they need without being overwhelmed. Jibbit learned how to listen to us and we learned how to give commands and how to continue with training when we left the classes.

Because Acme Canine knows all the dogs they train, I felt comfortable leaving Jibbit there for daycare too. She loves going to Acme Canine and is always happy when we get there and when I pick her up.

The Ribers, Powell Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
What I love about Acme Canine is their flexibility and outstanding service. They do whatever is necessary to meet my challenging time demands. They offer to come to my house for the training – to be sure everyone in the family understands the commands and how best to follow through with the training of Gus. They also offer residential training for those that are even more time challenged, or simply have a dog that needs the extra special care of training.

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
I particularly appreciate that dogs live with a family. So the entire family really gets to know how to better manage their pet. The care of Gus shouldn't fall on just me (mom) – all members of the family get to participate and nurture our relationship with Gus. I appreciated the Acme Canine trainers firm, yet gentle and consistent message of how to best accomplish getting Gus trained.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
Before working with Gus, he was very bull-headed … a downright mule who would challenge us when we tried to do the training ourselves. The Acme Canine trainer did a great job in helping us to better understand Gus, getting Gus to better understand his role in our family and how to better position us as his owner.

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
Our biggest concern before working with any trainer was we didn't want to hurt Gus, and we didn't want to be too aggressive with him. He has some pit-bull tendencies, and we were concerned that he would become even more aggressive.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
The entire family and Gus are very clear about our roles now and Gus has become a joyful member of our family. There is no longer any fear of his aggressiveness. He is a great, dependable companion.

The McAlpines, Worthington Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
- Acme does what they say they will do.
- They are focused on the communication between owners and their dogs.
- Provide activities that enrich the experience between owners and their dogs.
- Tailor instruction to the strengths of each owner and dog.
- Respectful of and in tune with dogs, able to change their training techniques to effectively train dogs with different personalities.

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
There are many dog trainers in Central Ohio . Acme Canine is unique, and added value to what we were looking for, in many ways - the atmosphere is boutique – everything from their hours of service to the wide variety of education, fun and games and manner in which they deal with both the dogs and clients -- they have become a part of our lives. They trained our oldest dog in Laura's house – very real world training with the right mix of discipline and compassion. You can see that everyone who works there really cares for dogs – it's not just a job. They are passionate about dogs and the human/canine relationship.

Acme provides a common language that we can use to communicate with our dog. Prior to engaging with Acme Canine, we had no idea what to expect from Chaos and he had no idea what we wanted from him. Acme has provided the tools that allow us to work together with Chaos, to have shared goals and achievements and enrich both our lives. This has changed Chaos from just being a dog we have to being an active part of our family.

We are very excited for our youngest dog, Covah, to complete the residency program at Acme so we can enhance our communication and engagement with her. The training at Acme will teach both Covah and us how to better communicate with each other.

The kennel staff at Acme is also very professional and attentive to dogs. They support the trainers with many daily walks, and reinforcing the training. We feel our dogs are very safe with the Acme Canine kennel staff.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
I purchased a 1 year-old adult male red Doberman many years ago from National K-9. I had also gone through protection training with him and knew how to work with a well-trained adult dog. I had no idea how to work with a puppy.

My wife had never been exposed to a well-trained dog and also had no idea what to expect from a puppy or a dog trainer.

Our oldest dog, Chaos, is a two year old male Doberman weighing in at 80 lbs, we got him from a breeder near Wauseon , OH as a 10 week old puppy. He has a very “needy” personality, always demanding attention and wanting to be in the center of activities. As a puppy, walks were a challenge as he constantly pulled us and ran through the end of the lead chasing everything. He was not well socialized as a puppy and therefore was very fearful of many things (bicycles, baby carriages, runners, vacuum cleaners, etc.). We did not know how to greet other dogs and people. Interactions were always stressful with lots of barking, snarling, and leash pulling (that was just me) – add to that Chaos' bad habits and we always had negative interactions.

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
We were uncertain as to the physical nature of the training and how well cared for Chaos would be while in training. My wife and I are working professionals and do not have much free time. We selected the seven day residency training for Chaos. We were worried about Chaos' separation anxiety and how he would deal with this change.

We had initially contacted National K-9 and had a very negative experience dealing with their trainer (Erica). Although Laura was also trained at National K-9, Laura's ability to positively interact with us and teach us how to manage Chaos was a huge differentiator.

Laura was able to allay our fears and Chaos was trained in a positive environment. The training uses positive and negative reinforcement with absolutely no punishment. The techniques were appropriate for Chaos' breed, size, and temperament. Chaos returned to us a much more confident, happier dog. We were very impressed.

There are several trainers at Acme and we have been very impressed with their professionalism. The training techniques are all similar and we are able to seamlessly work with the different trainers. In particular, we have worked very successfully with Lisa L. with both Chaos and Covah. Lisa has helped us with advanced training with Chaos and has been very engaged with Covah's training. Lisa is very effective, I believe she has excellent skills and both my wife and I enjoy working with her.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
We are able to engage with Chaos in our lives and have less stressful interactions with people, dogs, and diverse situations. We are able to go to places with many people (like local art festivals) and he behaves very well. He walks calmly beside us, doesn't grab food off the streets or from passing children. We had one occasion during a walk where we saw a runner hit by a car. The atmosphere was emotionally charged with high energy and many upset people. Chaos stayed with us calmly and actually helped calm several children who had witnessed the accident by letting them pet him.

We have been so impressed and positively impacted by having Chaos in our lives that we have added a female Doberman, Covah, to our family. We have taken her to Acme Canine's puppy school, engaged with Acme in several private training sessions and will be enrolling her in a seven-day residency training program soon.

Engaging with Acme early has helped us to socialize Covah. She has a very different personality from Chaos, yet she is able to be very engaged in our lives at an early age due to the socialization and early basic commands from Acme's puppy school.

All dogs have different phobias, similar to people, and Chaos was terrified of a hula-hoop laying on the ground. We would walk with him toward the hula-hoop and he would do everything he could to avoid it. Imagine this was a man-hole cover on the street or sidewalk that we would need to walk over. Acme was able to teach us how to teach Chaos to learn to deal with the hula-hoop. He is now able to walk into one calmly and perform commands with no stress. This has also made him more confident and self-assured, resulting in calm, more controlled behavior.

Chaos is now enrolled in advanced obedience training, which is basically off-leash reliable command execution. This will help ensure that when he is chasing a ball or out in a crowd that we can have positive control over him, keeping him safe. This also encourages him to think and expand his self control, further allowing him to be more engaged with us in day-to-day activities.

We are also using this as a means of evaluating my customer satisfaction levels and would value any other comments you may wish to add, either as a part of your referral letter or separately to me personally.

Audrey and I are very happy with our relationship with Acme and hope to continue this for many years. You have provided the tools and techniques for us to have our dogs as a part of our family and not as a “dog in the back yard”. We are very happy working with Lisa and are impressed with her training skills for both Chaos and Covah.

John and Audrey Clark, Westerville Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
The down to earth ease of your staff, there is kind of a feeling of we're in this together, we've all been there….that my dogs aren't bad or weird for behaving the way they do….and that I'm not a bad Mom to them either. Also the fact that just about any aspect of dog care is addressed if and when needed. The facility is completely clean, there is not doggy smell – it's awesome. I like the evaluation process in the home and also the fact that on the spot advice is sometimes slipped in when a behavior is noticed even if that's not what we are dealing with at that time. It's simply a very helpful and friendly environment. It's a very holistic all encompassing approach to dealing with life with canines. Also very obvious you enjoy what you do, enjoy the dogs and have a sense of humor about our canine companions too!

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
Value is added many times when your staff volunteers' information about something I hadn't even thought to ask ….this then sometimes leads into other paths and actually generates questions. There is the feeling that more than simply being in business you all actually enjoy and care about educating your clients and giving the client as many tools and facts as they can soak up….all for the benefit of our wonderful dog-kids.

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
Kind of chaotic, my little Yorkie was out of control, fearful aggressive...I carried him around too much without knowing that was enabling his fears. He was the source of much canine angst and misbehavior because before he came Gracie was and is a very easy laid back little dog to live with…….then came Riley. We couldn't go for a peaceful walk, he and Gracie would simply turn nasty toward other dogs as we walked. Tiny Riley (he was at this point all of about 3-4 lbs.) tried to bark and attack cars going by, there was no way to get peace at home...until we learned the magic of............ PLACE! Sing - Halleluia!

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
A nice enjoyable walk was a big concern. Reclaiming peace, quiet and control in my home! Learning to do this right and well because I can't live where the dog has more control over things than I do… also to work with Riley and his reaction to strange men. He is an ankle biter if given the opportunity most of men he doesn't know…it's odd – he's fine with my friend Ron (sees him frequently though so he's like family), he's fine with my son-in-law but absolutely ballistic with my sons. He becomes so hysterically upset, barky and hides that there is no point in trying to correct him through it. He's too over the top to settle enough to get the point…he doesn't see enough of my sons to get comfortable either……..so it's a work in progress and if he's more comfortable at times for the sake of peace and a nice visit with my son I let him go hang out under the bed or crate him. He's also still a little witchy with other men wherever we might be – you've seen him in action! Working on this...

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
I'm going to direct this part of my response toward Riley as things were always fairly fine with Gracie - Riley in particular has become respectful and submissive for the most part. He puts his ears back and head down when he greets me, tail wags and seeks out affection. He listens better and has trust in me. The training, Pack to Basics and a bit of dawning maturity with him are turning him into a good little dog, mostly. He and Gracie walk well on the leash together and we've learned to greet other dogs much more nicely as we walk…….and that is something that is being generated from my response as much as theirs. I encourage them that they're going to get to say “Hi” and “do nice” and by my tone let them know this is a fun thing. It has made a huge difference and it is part of conditioning them a little ahead of the actual event, it's being proactive instead of reactive. I try to anticipate what might be coming and direct our responses accordingly….it might mean we take a little detour also if something about the oncoming dog doesn't sit right with me. The dogs look up to me off and on as we walk to check my expression and that we're doing just fine – it's cute!

We are also using this as a means of evaluating my customer satisfaction levels and would value any other comments you may wish to add, either as a part of your referral letter or separately to me personally. I do not hesitate to pass the word on about Acme Canine….it's a wonderful, caring and constructive resource for those of us who want to do what is right and best for our dogs.

E. Michaelides, Columbus Ohio

What would you say is unique about Acme Canine, our services or our way of doing business?
I really liked the very personal aspect of Acme. I felt you really cared about MY situation and tailored training to my family dynamics.

In what way did we add value to the service for which Acme Canine was engaged?
I really liked the in-home training. Having a trainer come to our home and neighborhood was invaluable. It was easy for us to copy/mimic the commands since we saw them performed in our own enviornment. When we added a second dog, a trainer came to our home and gave us her opinion on how the two dogs interact and encouraged us to be the leaders of our new "pack"

What would you say best describes your situation before working with Acme Canine?
We had just got a high-energy puppy and needed professional guidance to get us started on the right foot.

What would you say were your biggest concerns before working with our team?
I didn't have concerns. I just wanted to be sure we would be able to keep up what we learned.

What would you say have been the greatest improvements to your canine relationship?
We have 2 well behaved dogs that are fun to be around!

The Butlers, Dublin Ohio

Acme Canine provided a very personal and professional training experience for our dogs, Gideon and Jonah. Laura and her staff have training qualifications superior to anyone we have come in contact with in central Ohio in our 30 years of dog ownership.

We loved the idea that Acme was small and we felt confident our dogs would get personal one on one training and attention. Acme understood our concerns and provided us with updates of the dogs' progress. They also provided training to us to allow consistency for Jonah and Gideon.

Two years ago we hired Acme as we had recently adopted Jonah from Lab Rescue. He chased cars, bikes and trains. This frightened us for his safety. He did not know many commands and had selective hearing. Our 90 pound, four year old Golden Retriever, pulled on his leash making it impossible to walk him.

The dogs were enrolled in the 10 day “overnight camp”. During their stay, Acme recommended the use of the E-collar. The dogs returned home with knowledge of basic commands and bad habits broken. Jonah could have cared less about a car, bike or any moving object. It was amazing. Gideon would walk on his leash like a good dog citizen, eager to please. Both dogs follow the commands they were taught to use (although Jonah still has selective hearing at times). Most of all, Jonah and Gideon were still their happy and loving selves. No worse for the wear.

We continue to use Acme for boarding when we travel. We receive regular emails and photos which are reassuring to us that the “boys” are ok. Jonah is very social and loves the activity there; Gideon is more emotionally needy and gets the special attention he craves. We love boarding the dogs there as the numbers of boarders are limited, the kennels are inside with heat and/or air conditioning, and Acme provides daily walks or the option of “open boarding”. What a great comfort when we are on vacation!

We love Gideon and Jonah as if they were our children (really, they are our kids) and can think of no better place for them than Acme Canine.

The Flahives, Delaware Ohio

Mike and I adopted Rory when he was just 6 months old. We read all the right books and did all the right research to make sure we got the dog that was right for us. Rory was immediately the sweetest most loving dog.

What we realized quickly was that he lacked the confidence to be alone when we had to go to work or even make a quick trip to the grocery store. He would be destructive, have potty accidents, spin and dig, and even break out of his crate at times.

We went to two other trainers/behaviorists and got several veterinarian opinions. We battled his separation anxiety for 9 months before finding Acme Canine. Rory attended a 2 week intensive training where he stayed with Acme Canine. He came back a brand new dog, and continues to visit Acme Canine to keep him balanced. Though, it has been a long battle and requires continuous work, Rory is on the road to recovery and is doing great.

It has been a year since he first visited Acme Canine and it has still been a rocky year, but he is making great progress. He is now 2 yr 4 mo. and Acme Canine has trained us as dog owners on what challenges him and gives him confidence and control. He is happier and more stable than ever.

I feel like we are finally on the right track and have a happier more confident companion and family member. We are continuing to build on Intermediate Off-Leash training course.

J. Villalta, Westerville Ohio

Acme Canine is an extremely personable business. Laura has done a wonderful thing by making the training center and kennels an extension of her own home. I feel extremely comfortable leaving Franklin with Laura and her family of employees.

We first contacted Acme Canine for obedience training. Franklin was an extremely demanding dog and we were having great difficulty with him jumping, nipping, and barking. We decided to begin training when Franklin was only about 5 months old since we knew that he could possibly be over 100 lbs once full grown. We were hesitant to leave our new dog with strangers for a week but were reassured when we began receiving daily status emails of his progress and general well-being. I immediately felt comfortable with Acme and felt as though their first priority was to help my dog and I communicate more effectively so that we could build a strong relationship.

Acme Canine does an excellent job acknowledging that there is an owner behind each of the dogs. While the owner's intent in most cases is to have a well behaved/well socialized dog, Acme goes above and beyond to keep the owner involved and comfortable. I love checking Woofie's Facebook page to see pictures from Franklin's time at daycare.

Franklin is still the same demanding dog but he now knows his place in our pack. He no longer nips and knows several commands that help us communicate in any situation. This has reduced our stress and allowed us to create a deep bond. Franklin respects us and friends are always impressed with his behavior. As owners, we now have the confidence and tools necessary to have a long and rewarding relationship with Franklin.

Thank you for all that you do,

B. Williams and M. , Westerville Ohio

We had tried working with other dog trainers/training facilities prior to Acme Canine, but were unable to achieve the results we were looking for. The results we achieved with Acme Canine surpassed our expectations. Acme training focuses as much on improving the relationship between the owner and their dog as they do on specific training methods. Not only does this enhance the bond between the owner and their dog, but it also ensures the training will be more successful long-term because the dog begins to value and place a higher priority on obeying their owner. Acme is great at helping owners understand what their dogs need and how to give them the structure they require so they can be happier and less stressed. They spend as much time making sure the owners are prepared to handle the new routine as the pups are.

Our dogs were so well adjusted after attending Acme Canine's in-facility on-leash training that we decided to board them with Acme while we were away. We were very comfortable leaving them knowing they would receive daily walks, play time, love, and attention they needed. They really pay attention to how each dog is doing. While they were being boarded, we looked forward to and enjoyed our e-mail updates on how they were doing. Acme was far and above the best boarding facility we have ever come across.

As hard as it was to leave the pups for 10 days for one trip and 7 for another, we knew they were well cared for and got plenty of love. We were sure they got the exercise, attention, discipline, and love they needed the whole time we were gone. The daily e-mail updates we received during their in-facility training week were extremely thorough. We really appreciated being able to read about each dog's particular challenges and/or successes with regard to the daily training exercises as well as about how much they had enjoyed their ‘play time' with each other.

Before working with Acme, the dogs ruled the house. They were hyper, unruly, and backtalked regularly. We turned to Acme to help us regain control over the pups. We knew they wanted to be good – we just didn't know how to get them to stop their bad behaviors and focus on being well behaved.

Our biggest concern was leaving our loved ones with new people for almost two weeks. These pups are our family and the notion of leaving them with “strangers” was hard. Knowing that, the folks from Acme spent plenty of time with us before our trip to get to know us and our pups and so we could get to know them. Now when we go visit Acme, the dogs are excited to go there and have a good time.

The biggest improvement is the dogs know and accept that we are in charge. Acme helped all of us (including our 3 children) learn how to be firm in our discipline while at the same time still being able to love on the pups. There has been a dramatic change our dogs' behavior and all of us are much happier. Our house is much more peaceful now. Granted it has been a long process (and we're far from done) but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel where everyone has an appropriate amount of freedom while still knowing their boundaries and who is in control.

The Figliuolo family, Dublin Ohio

When I decided to get a dog, I wanted to be sure the dog would be a fit for my lifestyle and personality. I used Acme Canine's Breed Selection program. I filled out the questionnaire and Acme provided 3 breeds that would be best for me. What really impressed me was I didn't just receive a form with 3 breeds. Acme came to my house and spent time answering my questions. They discussed how to pick a breeder, what characteristics to avoid in a dog, where to put the crate, how to select a dog food, training tips and much more. I felt I was well informed for the next step. Based on Acme's suggestions, I got a Golden Retriever and it has been a perfect fit.

When I got Lily, my golden retriever, we went back to Acme for personalized training. Disciplinarian is not in my personality. Acme worked with Lily and me to develop a training program that suited both our personalities. I appreciated their praise and reward system of training. Since a punishment system would not work for me. The hour long sessions were at my home and at a time convenient for me. We worked on the issues specific to our situation. After four sessions, Lily was a well behaved dog. Acme provided me with the tools I needed to continue our training on our own.

Lily also attends Doggie Day Care at Acme once a week. It is a great way for her to socialize with other dogs and people. Her obedience training is reinforced and it allows her an opportunity to exercise and burn off energy. The drop off and pick up times are convenient for me and I know that she is in good hands.

I never hesitate to recommend Acme Canine. The best recommendation comes from Lily, who when we pull into the parking lot, starts wagging her tail and bouncing up and down with excitement. Thanks to Acme Canine I have a great relationship with my pet.

Karen and Lily Moshgat Lewis Center