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The Right Steps

Testimonials

 

Testimonials

My wife & I have trained our dog Ollie with Cindy at The Right Steps and have enjoyed the experience.  She is a good trainer and has a wonderful love for the animal.  We highly recommend her.  Here a some pictures of Ollie at varying ages - he is now 2+ and neutered - still a love bug.

Jim & Anne Elliott

      

 

I've been handling animal-assisted therapy dogs for 7 years, and knew that getting my new Rottie pup Sophie off on the right start would be essential to reaching our goal of certification at 12 months of age. Cindy understood my goals, familiarized herself with our particular needs and helped us focus. Her guidance and patience helped Sophie and I establish good communication and get us (me!) in the groove of learning together to be as a new team. We attended both Junior Puppy Class and Puppy Plus classes, and made sure we were there to take advantage of play time with the other pups not only to burn off some steam and have some fun, but to have supervised play with a trained professional to spot behaviors and body language I should be aware of for Sophie's physical and mental well-being. Cindy's methods were clearly communicated and easy to understand, and she was always willing to give a visual example of what she was explaining if it was complex or seemed confusing. Her class handouts were equally easy to use and we used them every day to work on our new skills.

Sophie and I passed both our Lend A Heart AAT and Delta Pet Partner certifications on our first try, and I am confident that working with Cindy was a huge contributor to our success. Thank you, Cindy!

Jackie Gunby & Sophie

          

 

 

Cindy Smith of "The Right Steps" could be called "The Dog Whisperer" of the Sacramento region.

When Rex, my large German Shepherd was just 6 months old, I knew he was going to be the size of a horse and could outsmart me, too, when I saw that he could even 'open doors and gates'. Oh lordie, due to just his size alone, I knew he would definitely need training so that I could handle him with his strength. Thank goodness Cindy trains horses, too. 

A client of mine suggested that I call Cindy Smith with "The Right Steps",  saying that Cindy was so tuned into her dog and would gently but firmly teach her dog so many things. Cindy connects to each dog with her genuine love and faith in them to teach them all of the many things they need to know to be loved and accepted at home and safe in the outdoor world, too.  Cindy's knowledge and her confidence shines on through everything she does  and it shows with her success with the animals.

Because of the difficult summer I was having last year, and also had two geriatric dogs at home, I decided to sign Rex up for a 3 week training/boarding program she offered with VCA Greenback Pet Resort. Rex not only had a wonderful time, but learned so much. She had trained him in the commands with hand signals, too, to sit, go down, stay, crawl and come from a distance. She taught him to retrieve the Frisbee (his very favorite playtime toy) and to roll over.   As much as I missed him those three weeks, he learned a lot and lots of social skills, too.

You can now often see me walking with Rex through Lowes, Home Depot, Petco, Orangevale Copy and even Washington Mutual. He goes with me everywhere and everyone loves him. He looks like a very big canine police dog, but with the sweetness of a saint. Everybody stops to touch his big, black smiling face. And, at the dog park now, others are so impressed with all that Rex can do with me.....thanks to Cindy Smith.

Another thing I love about Cindy and her training is that she uses the harness and gentle leader for those dogs like mine that want to pull us along. She doesn't believe in the 'choke' and 'prong' collars. Like everything she teaches, it is with gentle persuasion and positive reinforcement.

It is also pretty embarrassing at times when my dog gets the best of me, but she doesn't criticize me for it, she just teaches me how to 'undo' it and how to 'do it differently'. Gotta love her...what else would you expect from someone who loves your '4 legged human kind' as much as you do.

Susan Silva and Rex der bar 'Rex'

 

 

Cindy has a very special way with puppies and dogs. Tilly and I have attended Senior Puppy, Puppy Plus, Trick class, and multiple Small Dog Play sessions. I believe that dogs "read" people and I haven't seen a dog that didn't positively respond to Cindy and her training techniques. She works with each dog and owner, providing insights and suggestions for both creating positive responses and correcting negative ones. Her techniques are gentle and consistent. Cindy is patient and positive. Right Steps classes provide valuable training and socialization opportunities. I would recommend her classes to anyone!

Thank you!  Nikki

 

 

Tobias was a rolly polly 15 pound Australian Shepherd puppy when we began classes with Right Steps last year in Orangevale.  We enjoyed the puppy classes, right through to semi private lessons with Cindy appreciating her expertise, advice and counseling.  I think the only class we have not taken is Trick Training!  The classes were fun and we made many new friends, both human and canine which have lasted into his adolescence.   

Tobias is now 55 pounds and a handsome 17 month old black tri colored Aussie who is enjoying learning Rally-O and taking Competition Obedience!  We count Cindy as a valued friend who we would and have highly recommend to anyone just beginning with a new puppy or young dog.   

Kathy P. & Tobias

Two pictures of Tobias are attached from the reunion of the Southern California Aussie Rescue Group Reunion in Lancaster, CA in April, 2006. 

            

 

My testimony of Pee Wee Play/Small Dog Play Group:

I would say puppy play every Saturday night has been a wonderful thing for my little dog.

Her name is Pretzel and she is 7 years old.

She came from an abused beginning (puppy mill). I got her when she was 2-1/2 years old. She was so scared that when I come on Saturday nights she would just sit under my chair. She did that for months. But, finally she felt comfortable enough to come out and start running with the other dogs.

Pretzel used to sit under my chair for months and now - she lets other people pet her and even strangers too...so, that is a big plus...being around other people and know they are not going to hurt her...

Now she is happy to drive up to the center and pushes me almost out of my seat. Her tail starts wagging and she is eager to get in the middle of things. She plays one-on-one a little now. She even drinks a little water while there - which is a rarity but, she keeps feeling more and more comfortable and others have noticed the

BIG change in Pretzel over a couple of years.

So, I am thankful that Cindy opens the center on Saturday nights - means a lot to us both to be there. 

Thanks, Cindy   Doris Madigan & Pretzel

*Photo Pending*

 
 

The Right Steps classes that we have taken have allowed us to train our bearded collie "Izzy" in a positive manner. She has responded well to this method and looks forward to each training session both at home and at class. The beginning socialization with other puppies allowed Izzy to become very friendly around other dogs. Cindy is very talented in matching dogs of similar personality for this socializing.  I would highly recommend The Right Steps to anyone with a young puppy.

Steve L. & Izzy

 

 

We first met Cindy thru Folsom Parks & Recreation when we got our American Bulldog Zach. We really liked her non force way of training, so when we got our Springer Spaniel Daisy May, there was no question that we would take her to the Right Steps. Daisy May is still a work in progress, but with the basic techniques that we learned from Cindy, we are making wonderful progress. Thank You, Rick & Tracy

 

 

Roxxy is a graduate of The Right Steps with Valerie {Puppy, Jr. and Sr. class and also Puppy Agility (offered a few years ago)} and has turned out to be the best dog.  We can take her anywhere and never have to worry about her behavior.  Tudie is still in the learning process and has made great steps to becoming as well behaved as Roxxy. 

 Cindy is great to work with and makes class fun for both participants.  She takes great care to ensure play time is fun and safe for puppies of all sizes and ability.  Cindy has also made my kids, 14 & 10, feel welcome and helped them participate with Tudie during class.  I would, and do, highly recommend The Right Steps for any new puppy owner.  The rewards last a life time!   Angela H.

Here is a photo of Tudie (9 mos) and Roxxy (5 years). 

 

 

 

 

Hi Cindy:  We are so pleased that we had you out to look at Stanley.  Your reassurances really helped.  Then, when we saw how frightened he was at the class we really worked at his training, all according to your positive methods.  Even though we aren't finishing the class we still believe that you helped us to discover how great he is.  We are going out of town and Stanley is going to be neutered but we plan to consult you further.  Thanks so much.  Darrel and Colleen Fredrickson

 

Hi Cindy, 

I just want to thank you for the good experience Mia and I had in your dog training classes.  Thinking back on our private lesson I recall that you just talked to us (me) but didn't put Mia through any commands or ask her to perform in any way.  However, you kept massaging her entire body during that lesson.  I don't know if that touching was the cause of the dramatic change in her behavior during the group class the following day, but that is the only new factor introduced in her training before the last group classes.  Maybe those in the past who had called you a "dog whisperer" were correct.  The change was pretty miraculous. 

I didn't realize the degree to which Mia suffers from a fear problem until I tried to take her for a walk the day after "graduation."  She was like a spooky horse!  She shied away from a neighbor out washing his car, water in the gutter, a couple cars which drove by, etc.  We only covered about a quarter of a block during our walk.  I will try to desensitize her in little steps with short new experiences.   

Mia and I need further training and I look forward to joining one of your future Puppy classes and possibly join the small dog play group. 

Thanks again for showing me that reward based training works effectively with Mia while dominance based training does not.  

Grace L. with Mia the Shih Tzu

*Photo Pending*

 

 

We started training with Cindy when our border collie, Tippy, was just 12 weeks old. Cindy read her shy nature immediately and guided us through a training process that was adjusted to be just right for Tippy.

 Cindy understands the nature of dogs. She reads the "pack dynamic" quickly and accurately and creates a safe place to socialize and train a dog. She is equally as good with people which makes her an outstanding trainer.

Tippy is now a confident, well mannered adolescent border collie and a great deal of the credit goes to Cindy.   Cindy is professional, kind, and fun. I am so glad we trained with her at The Right Steps. She got us off to a great start with our puppy!!

Tish Ceccarelli

       

 

 

 

Ruby and I really enjoyed the Puppy Primer and Jr. Puppy Class at The Right Steps.  Cindy is an excellent trainer -- kind and patient with the pups and their parents.  Ruby was always so excited to see Cindy and was a very eager student.  As a first time puppy parent I thought it was really important to get started right.  Cindy equipped me with the information and tools on how to deal with common puppy issues.  Ruby is growing up healthy and well mannered and it really is because Cindy set us down the right path.  Thanks Cindy - Ruby and I look forward to future classes at The Right Steps.

    

 

 

 

When over a year ago Rascal found his way into my life, Cindy was the first person I called.

After I have decided that I was able to keep him, I enrolled him in every class possible with Cindy.  I learned my lesson with my first dog, who I did not provide any training at his younger years.  Cindy taught me so much and really strengthened my relationship with my babies.  Cindy is very patient and only uses positive reinforcement.  It is amazing to see when Rascal responses to her right of way.  Thank you Cindy for helping me become a great and responsible mom to my dogs.  Here's a picture of Rascal with his big brother Keanu both sitting nice for the picture.  It really helped that I had some treats!

Sandra, Keanu and Rascal (Chihuahua)

 

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