Happy Tails Testimonials

Testimonial 1

I got my very first dog Louis (miniature pinscher) five and a half years ago when he was eight weeks old. Living in NYC at the time, with very limited space, I didn’t think it was a good idea to get a larger dog, so I started small…very small. I took him to work with me every day. Everyone loved playing with him, feeding him, and spoiling him. We should have gone through training then, but I thought, “He’s just so small, how much trouble can he really be?” I didn’t realize at the time that collectively, we were all ruining this dog. Everything he did was “just so cute,” it was difficult to discipline him. I eventually moved from NYC to Chicago, where I was unable to bring him to work with me or keep an eye on him all day. Behavior that was once “just so cute” became worse, and five and a half years in, I couldn’t take it any more. The incessant barking at any foreign noise, instantly going into “attack mode” at the sight or sound of another dog, jumping all over the place while on a leash…I couldn’t let it continue. I spent thousands of dollars on training books and manuals, and in-house training for half a year with a local trainer – absolutely nothing was working. Giving Louis up was never an option, so all I could do was keep looking for the right fit. That’s when I found Midway Dog Academy. I scheduled training for two weeks. I was skeptical because every training I’d put him through before never produced results. When I went to pick Louis up after two weeks, I couldn’t believe that was my dog. I stood there watching in amazement as they took him off his leash and he didn’t bolt! Two weeks, and it was like a miracle had taken place. Louis was calm, centered and focused. It’s been nearly 6 months since Louis was with Megan and Scott. The training both Louis and I received from them and that has been invaluable. Our lives have been changed in such a positive way; words cannot possibly express our gratitude. That really IS my dog, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Angel

Testimonial 2

I adopted a one year old Border Collie/Labrador named Hope. She had lived on the streets for the first six months of her life and then in a shelter for the other six. She had no training at all and like all puppies had more energy for mischief then I could keep up with. Hope, my new mischief maker, was wonderful at soiling indoors, chewing on everything including people, jumping on everything including people and had the idea that it was playtime all the time. I found information on the internet about a board and train school and thought this just might work. Scott and Megan were GREAT! I was leaving for vacation and they were willing to take her a week early to help me out. She was with them over two weeks. When I went to pick her up and learn how to keep up with her training, I brought my mom and sister-in-law with me. We were amazed. She was like a totally different dog. She actually LISTENED! I was in shock. She did everything we asked her to do with the smallest amount of communication. She even listened to me off her leash. After bringing her home, she has continued to amaze me. She has not once soiled indoors since training. She is much better at chewing only her toys. I can take her outside with no leash and she will play in the yard without running off. She walks three miles a day and though she is on a leash, she rarely pulls. She still has LOTS of energy but at least now it’s controllable. I no longer stress at bringing her around others. She is a perfect lady. I would recommend Midway Dog Academy to everyone. It’s totally worth it!!!

Terry and Family

Testimonial 3

I adopted a 105 pound Alaskan malamute in 2005. The dog was the runt of the litter, and as such, possessed a wide range of behavioral issues. We contacted Scott and Megan based on another trainer’s recommendation. They were very clear about what I could expect from the training, and what was unobtainable given the breed. I valued this honesty over a lot of trainers I’ve spoken with claiming they can make any dog into Lassie. I had no desire to “break” my dog, only make both of our lives better by lowering her aggression toward other dogs. They were also very clear that there was no set “program” for every dog, and different dogs will require different attention. As such, Megan and Scott worked with my dog for longer than they originally anticipated (no charge) to get her to a level that we were comfortable with.??Their methods, charges, and anticipated results were all very clear up front. I find this to be as important as the end result of the training, which was above and beyond what we thought, could be done. Our quality of life is markedly better. The investment made into my dog has been well worth it, and I recommend at Megan and Scott’s training without reservation.

Chris P.

Testimonial 4

Katie and Kevin

Testimonial 5

Our dog Reilly was having some major problems. She had begun growling at younger children, ignoring commands, and developed an overall nervous and wild demeanor. We thought at this point there was no way to fix her behavior (she had just turned 7 years old). We brought her out to Scott and Megan and she stayed with him for 10 days. It was hard to let her be away from us but upon picking her up we realized we made the best decision in the world for her. She was like a new dog and I am not exaggerating. She finally LOOKED at us when given commands and seemed extremely happy and calm. We had not seen her be like this in almost 2 years. Scott or Megan never once raised his voice with her or got aggressive when giving us a demonstration on some commands to work with her on, which I really liked. They both have a natural way with dogs and are amazing with this craft. I would recommend both of them to anyone who is having any kind of recurring issues with their dogs. Reilly is still doing wonderfully 4 months later and they still check in occasionally with us to see how she is doing. They are also available for support if we have any questions regarding her behavior. They offer a great program geared not only toward the dogs, but their owners as well??

Thanks Again!

Marge and Jenni

Testimonial 6

With my busy schedule I did not have the time to properly train my dogs, and Scott and Megan made it possible. I have 2 Bernese Mountain dogs and in only 2 weeks, I was amazed at their progress. Now we can go for a walk instead of them taking me for a walk. It’s very impressive! It has been great, and this is just one way that it has made our lives more enjoyable.
Thanks!

Eric

Testimonial 7

Megan gives excellent and simplified instruction with love and firmness. Maizy responded immediately to her effective training skills, she’s a changed dog and I’m forever grateful! We no longer worry about her running away from us when we open the front door.

Thanks Again!

Randy and Jessica

Testimonial 8

Dear Megan and Scott,

When I brought Isis to you she was very unhappy, very high strung and was not capable of understanding any of my commands. Her only interests were chasing squirrels and going on walks where she would pull so hard on the leash it was not fun for either of us. She was fighting with my other dogs and I had no idea how we could keep living like that. It was not fair to her, my other dogs or me and my husband. After 30 days with you she is able to walk off leash in low traffic areas of course, walk with our other dogs’ peacefully on leash and obeys the commands you taught me. She is much happier and even likes to sleep in her kennel. She now looks to me for direction where she used to just blindly go anywhere in a panic acting like a bull in a china shop. I am looking forward to sending my other dogs to you after seeing the tremendous change in Isis. I am so grateful for all of your hard work. I wrongly assumed that spoiling my dogs would make them happy. I had to grow up and realize that as their pack leader I have a responsibility to them to add discipline and structure to their lives.

With Gratitude,

Dr. Shelia

Testimonial 9

Scott and Megan,

I just wanted to tell you how wonderful your training has been on our pups. When I bought my first puppy, a Labrador retriever, I thought this should be easy. Gabe is so cute and adorable, how can anything go wrong? Boy was I wrong. He quickly became a handful and out of control. My furniture and shoes were the collateral damage. So in desperation, I researched trainers and gratefully, I came across Scott and Megan and Thank goodness!!!

After 2 weeks, Gabe came home on Christmas Eve. You both gave me such a wonderful gift. He came home sweeter than I could have ever imagined.

Since then, I was lucky to find Gabe a companion. Zoe, the cutest little beagle that she is, has filled our home with so much laughter and happiness. Gabe is in love with her and the two are inseparable. I didn’t even hesitate to send her over to you guys when she was the appropriate age and I was glad I did. I had no idea beagles were such a stubborn breed. On a hindsight basis, I think Zoe would have been 10 times the challenge that Gabe was. However, because of her training, I never needed to experience that.

I want to thank both of you again. I hope everyone realizes what wonders you guys can do. Gabe and Zoe look forward to visiting you soon.

Take care.

Kindest,

Nancy

Testimonial 10

Sophie, our 3 year old Havanese was a delight…..other than her high pitched uncontrolled barking, constant begging at dinner time, demands to play ball, and basic non-listening. We had created the problems and tolerated them, but it was quickly affecting our enjoyment and pleasure in her. We had spoken with Scott by phone about our concerns and were impressed with what the Midway Dog Academy program offered. Several months passed and we continued to threaten Sophie with “boot camp” when our patience was tried. It was a huge financial commitment for us and we wanted to make sure that we were making the right decision. Another one of our concerns was that it might change her basic sweet and funny personality. We didn’t want to change her other than the “bad” behaviors which had become intolerable.

We contacted Scott again and scheduled her drop-off date. It was as difficult for us as taking our kids for the first time to sleep away camp. We drove away in our car hoping that we had made the right decision. We were in phone contact with Scott to get progress updates. He told us that he was having his assistant Megan work with Sophie since she seemed to respond more positively to her. Megan had even made up a “Sophie song” that she would sing to her.I have to admit I would even drive by on my way to work hoping to catch a glimpse of her (which I did once) and then had to try and get away before Sophie spotted the car. We really missed her!

The day came to pick her up, and my husband and I were so excited we could hardly wait. We met with Scott first who told us what how the demonstration would go. Then we settled in to watch Megan put Sophie through her paces. She walked her on leash, off leash, placed her, and gave her stay and come commands. We were amazed! Then came the biggest test. Would she greet us without barking and jumping all over us? Scott had warned us this would be the hardest thing for Sophie, but we would work at it till she got it right. She was so excited to see us I thought she would shake her tail right off but did it with barely a sound, even Scott was impressed. She needed to be reminded to place but passed with flying colors. We were thrilled!! Now it was our turn to be schooled in the proper techniques needed to maintain all that Sophie had learned over the last 2 weeks.

It has been many months since Sophie attended MDA. We continue to be amazed and thrilled by the changes in her. We always loved her but now thoroughly enjoy her as well. Family and friends can’t believe the change in her behavior. The biggest thing for us is to not fall back into our own bad habits which created the problems we had with her. Knowing that Scott and Megan are there for a “refresher” if we need it is a good feeling. The investment we made was definitely worth it and I would not hesitate to recommend that anyone with a “problem pet” check out Midway Dog Academy.

Testimonial 11

Megan,

Thank you so much for meeting with me today! I was literally crying in the car on the way to see you because I felt like I couldn’t handle Roscoe. On the way home, he was a completely different dog for me!! My mom and I stopped at my sister’s and he sat on his place board the entire time. Just now I took him out and the dogs were out. He ran right back to that spot by the fence, but I turned up the collar and only had to hit it once. He never even tried to jump! I am so happy I met with you today. I learned so much from you. I really appreciate you taking the time to work with myself and Roscoe.

Thank you,

Jackie and Chris

Testimonial 12

I bought Kody as a puppy and I saw little things here and there pop up, but I brushed it off as normal puppy behavior. My parents have had Labrador retrievers my whole life and I just thought “Ok, he’ll grow out of this.”

Well destructive chewing and destroying was always an issue at my condo with Kody, so I’ve crated him to avoid it. Well, the last straw for me was when he finally broke out of his kennel and I came home to my $2,000 leather sofa shredded…Needless to say I found Megan and let me just say thank goodness! She trained him and helped me understand I wasn’t meeting his needs physically or mentally. She trained me afterwards 🙂 and showed me how to be that leader that he needs. And now, 6 months later, we have a better relationship than we’ve ever had before. The best part is, I don’t have to crate him anymore. He’s finally able to be a dog and I can finally relax knowing my dog really is as happy as he can possible be! 🙂 Thanks again Megan!

Gratefully,

Rodger H.