Testimonials from current clients of TLC:
My dog has a deeply-rooted aversion to water, but for the sake of keeping
her cool in the summer, I wanted to train her to jump into a child's wading
pool. I watched, dumb-founded as Gloria, in one session, had my dog voluntarily
putting her feet into the water. After a week of practise, my dog was leaping
fearlessly into the pool! Not only did I come away with a new behaviour from
my dog, I also learned powerful training principles that I can now apply to
any behaviour I wish to shape. Gloria has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon,
and a wonderful way of sharing her insight with her students. Thank you Gloria
for giving me so many meaningful ways to improve my relationship with my faithful,
four-legged friend.
-Brandi
I acquired my first dog in 1988 and have always had at least three dogs,
and sometimes as many as five, ever since. I will always regret the training
methods that I learned with my first dog - they were harsh and punitive, and
effectively made him afraid to try anything because of fear of punishment.
I have gone to many different instructors since then, trying to take the best
from each. When I first discovered "clicker training" it was a revelation
- here was a method that built a partnership on trust and the joy
of doing something right, rather than the fear of doing something wrong.
Finding someone in the London area who teaches with the clicker is not easy,
though. On the recommendation of a friend in my agility club (thanks, Diane!),
I started taking agility classes at TLC in summer 2003. In the winter, I attended
Gloria's attention classes and several rally obedience classes. I can honestly
say that my dogs and I have enjoyed every minute (well, maybe not the winter
driving <g>). Gloria is an excellent instructor with a keen eye for
how each handler and dog team are progressing. Her lessons are always creative
and well thought out, and her extensive
background in training and competing with dogs in many disciplines gives her
the depth of experience to share what she has found to be the most effective
methods, and to explain the pros and cons of other methods. Gloria is always
ready with ideas on how to work through problems, and is realistic about what
her clients can accomplish at home each week.
I highly recommend TLC if you want to learn new things with your dog in a
positive, fun environment where the focus is on success and building a strong
foundation for whatever endeavours you have in mind.
Eleanor Heagy with Zoe and Biesca
My favourite show – TOP DOGS. I have always been fascinated with the
intelligence and capabilities of these trained dogs, the fun they have, and
most of all, the special bond between dog and handler. With the encouragement
from my family and Cody having the desire to learn new tricks, I decided to
further develop my relationship with Cody, (a 14 month old Cocker), by getting
involved in agility. By chance, I came across Tollhaven Learning Centre and
after talking with Gloria, I was impressed with her knowledge and experience
in working with dogs and what she had to offer and how to guide you in your
achieving your goals with your special companion. I had no idea there was
so much involved in the starting stages of agility, especially on proper techniques
and handling skills, which would progress you successfully through your years
of agility with a healthy, enthusiastic dog. To learn these techniques, Gloria
introduced me to a training process called “Clicker Training”. Cody
learnt very quickly that the sound of click meant something positive –
he had done something I wanted him to do along with a reward for doing it.
Clicker training has developed Cody into a great agility participant as well
as aiding me in teaching him various tricks, games, and shaping a positive
behaviour in him. With less than a year’s training, Cody & I proudly
came home sporting two red ribbons from our first agility trial. The results
have been positive but there is still so much to learn. The continuation to
improve on handling skills and self-confidence, problem solving, advancement
in techniques, and playing fun games in a group atmosphere, Gloria has the
facilities and all the tools to assist in achieving my goals. Her love of
dogs and her ability to promote learning in her human clients has positive
effects. That special bond between Cody and I have become much stronger as
we learn to work together as a team. We’re producing our own show!
Catherine with Cody
In the unregulated industry of dog training and animal behaviour modification,
it is often difficult for the average pet owner to distinguish the validity
in various training methods. This note is in part to thank Gloria Mitchell
for all the assistance she has provided to myself, as well as brief explanation
of why the methods she uses are so appealing.
TLC uses a "clicker training" approach to dog training, a method
that focuses on positive reinforcement using food, play and attention. As
someone who has used other techniques, I personally believe that clicker training
is the only approach worth using because it works. Other methods focus on
clichés such as getting a dog to behave, "because I said so",
or, ""because the dog should want to please me", or because,
"I am going to become the alpha." After my personal experience with
one of my own dogs, these marketable phrases no longer hold any water.
Let me introduce you to my oldest dog, a Staffie cross (a.k.a. Pit bull).
She is a spayed female, now three years old. She is a submissive dog who has
always shown evidence that she enjoys my presence. However, she didn’t
do anything I asked. At six months of age she began basic obedience training
using a combination of food and "correction" based methods. Despite
a diligent effort on my part, and despite her submissive temperament it was
impossible to achieve any control over her. Although she remained friendly,
she was definitely out of control when in the presence of other people. Various
trainers offered suggestions and as she matured their suggestions included
the use of head halters, chokes, nylon slip collars and prongs. Upon following
their suggestions her behaviour began to worsen to the point where one day
she growled and bared her teeth at an approaching dog. That was the day I
decided to stop using methods involving any amount of force and we have never
looked back since.
At approximately the same time, Gloria held a seminar on clicker training
and I decided to give it a try. Initially it seemed difficult to comprehend
that you do not need to punish "bad" behaviour. Within a short time
though, my dog began to improve. She began to listen and she began to look
to me for direction. Gloria suggested goals for us in obedience and agility
that were manageable and gave us the tools to achieve them. We recently began
competing in obedience, a goal that I would have never envisioned several
months earlier. In her first two trials we qualified with one fourth place
and a first place. Her first place also earned her the unofficial title of
"High Mixed Breed in Trial". Even more importantly in my eyes, once
the force based training methods were stopped, she has returned to her happy
enthusiastic self. Regardless of how many successful trials we have, it is
imperative to me that my dogs are friendly to other people and other dogs.
I can’t thank Gloria enough for introducing me to clicker training. She
is undoubtedly one of the best trainers I know and I would highly recommend
her facilities for anyone looking for a positive dog-friendly way of training
dogs.
Lynette & ChiChi
What made you decide to try clicker training at
TLC?
Interested in the concept of passive training, as
I have a very shy and nervous dog, who is fine at home but terrified outside.
I knew that force training would take away all her self-confidence.
What the most important thing you’ve
learned so far at TLC?
“Fun.” How to train your dog with fun, food, clicks and positive
reinforcement. “Anything is possible”. Mia is a positive, self-confident
little character, who is now happy!
How
has your relationship with your dog changed?
I have a great little friend, who now goes camping and is able to compete
in agility. Mia has become a great companion, we now have a stronger bond,
a team.
What are your hopes/Goals for the future?
My hopes and goals are that we advance in agility, Mia’s self-confidence
soars.
How can we do better for you and your dog?
“Keep doing what you’re doing”. It
works for us.
Jayne & Mia
My dog Rigby, a Papillion, had a great start in agility. We entered quite
a few trials at the starters level during spring and summer 2001. Rigby was
doing well and seemed to love agility. Then later in the summer he developed
an aversion to the table. During trials he would either take a lot of time
to go down or he would just stand on the table staring at me, refusing to
move. We were having mostly clean runs except for the table. I stopped counting
after 15 NQ’s due only to time faults or non-completion of the table.
I thought we would never get out of starters.
Rigby still needed two standard Q's to move to the advanced level. I was getting
lots of advice about how to solve our problem including forcing him down to
show him who’s the boss. Out of desperation I tried that suggestion by
gently pushing him into a down on the table at a trial which made the situation
even worse After that he started to avoid the table altogether and sometimes
would not even get on it. A few times he even ran out of the ring when we
approached the table.
Then in the spring of 2002 I started private lessons with Gloria and what
a difference that made! She started us working back to basics on and off the
table with a clicker and only positive reinforcement using toys, food, and
attention. She gave me exercises to do daily at home with Rigby between lessons.
Each lesson built on the previous lesson in small steps which gradually built
up my confidence and Rigby’s. While taking lessons I continued trialing
over the summer and Gloria helped me with trial strategies with the table,
e.g. sometimes skipping it, sometimes just asking Rigby to get on it or sit,
and continuing our run.
In the fall all the work paid off. We entered three trials in September and
October and Rigby got a total of 9 Q’s in the 3 trials. He got his final
2 starters Q’s and also Q’d on his very first advanced run. He is
now in master jumpers, master gamblers, and advanced standard. Best of all,
Rigby has regained his enthusiasm for agility.
I really like Gloria’s positive training methods, especially the way
she carefully observes both the handler and the dog and then devises a training
approach to solve problems. Without Gloria’s help I’m sure we’d
probably still be in starters. I am continuing to work with Gloria to improve
my handling skills in agility and obedience, and would highly recommend her
as a trainer.
Diane Khristensen & Rigby