My journey with Olive started in Oct. of 2021 when she was 10 weeks old. We started with Mannerly Puppy. Which I believe was a smart way to start for both of us. It helped us figure out what training was going to look like, plus learning to trust each other, from there we went on to the FOUNDATION Course training. That was where the fun began.
I chose to train my dog for one reason, I wanted a dog that I could go anywhere with and not have to worry if she would behave. I did not want a dog that jumps on people, but a dog that was friendly. Well, that is exactly what I got.
The FOUNDATION Course was great. I'm not going to lie it wasn't easy, but it was well worth it. Olive did great, she was so easy to train. It was Olive's owner that had a harder time training. Remembering right foot, left foot, about turn, man, I was ready to give up. Well, I didn't. I pushed through and Olive followed right beside me. Olive is such a good dog.
As Olive and I were training together with Roxanne she saw something in my dog I didn't. Of course, I wasn't looking for anything but a good well-behaved dog. One morning Roxanne asked if I have ever thought about making Olive a Therapy dog. I said "No" that never entered my thoughts at all. She then told me that she thought Olive would make an excellent Therapy Dog. My answer was again "No." Over a few weeks she would mention it off and on. My answer was always "No."
Well, the Lord had other plans. Olive is a Therapy Dog at Assisted Living homes in our area. We have been doing it for three years. It is the biggest blessing of my life. They love her and she loves them. Roxanne knew what she saw in Olive. Plus, Olive is also a reading dog at the library. She lays down which calms the small children, and they read outload to her. One mother told the Librarian how grateful she was for Olive being there. Her daughter had never wanted to read outloud before.
For three years Roxanne and Jessi have been encouraging me to enter Olive in AKC Obedience trials. Again, my answer was always "No", until this year I finally said, "Yes". It wasn't that I thought my dog couldn't do it, it was that I didn't have the confidence in myself. But, once again, Roxanne was right. Olive and I competed, and we came out winners. Olive now has three blue ribbons (first place), two yellow ribbons (second place) and has two new titles after her name.
This training with Roxanne has made such a difference in my life. I can take my dog anywhere and she is well behaved. I have received so many compliments on her and her training. Life is so good with a well-trained dog.
This journey with Olive and her training has been fun. I have a whole new family with everyone who trains with, and has continued to train, with Roxanne. It isn't you train, and you are done. No everyone is there for you always. Training is a constant thing. Working with your dog is a constant thing. It is way to be one with your dog. It is a phenomenal way to connect with your dog.
Thank you, Roxanne, you and the Koehler method of training, have made the biggest difference in my life.
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