Two Thumbs and Four Dew Claws Up for Terry’s Family Dog Training Classes.
Both of my girls have now successfully completed the Level One class, plus my older dog has been through the Level Two class as well, and I couldn’t be more pleased.  Terry has taught me how to speak my dogs’ language and we have become a much more cohesive pack.  I rarely have to worry about their behavior when we are out in public and they are happy, healthy pups.  I would gladly recommend Terry to anyone who has an aggressive or fearful dog.  She seems to intuitively know just what to say to them to calm them down and ease their fears.  Not to mention all the fun we have in class when bunnies, squirrels or the spherical torture devise come to visit.

Jeanne, Gracie & Georgie

It (Snake Avoidance Training) was basically 5 parts.
1 The assessment. Terry allowed the dogs to see & smell a live bull snake that she was holding. She wanted to see if the dogs had any snake smarts whatsoever.
2 The practicum. Here the dogs were walked by the owner on leash through a course that she had set up. At a couple points in the course she had dead real rattlesnakes that were animated by assistants pulling them along with fishing line. The dogs were fitted with electronic collars. Once the dog saw the snake, the dog received a light shock and the handler was instructed to simultaneously react adversely, such as to jump back and yell “snake!!!.”
3 This scenario was repeated at 2 other locations. A light shock was administered on the second one, and again on the third if the dog did not already show adversity. The dogs were tested again with the live bull snake to determine if they had learned snake aversion. For sure our dogs learned, and avoided the snake.
4 LEAVE IT training. Terry had the electronic collars on the dogs, and one at a time the dogs were walked by their owners past a pile of dog treats on the ground. When the dog started to nose the treats the owner would say firmly LEAVE IT ! If the dog didn’t leave the treats, it received a light shock. The exercise was repeated. This is important for avoiding both bad things like snakes, as well as yummy things; for example the dropped pot roast or chocolate bar on the floor.
5 The last part of the training was a talk from a VCA vet that explained what to do if a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake. She talked about snake behavior (she was a herpetologist) and emphasized the importance of getting prompt medical attention for bites. She answered many questions about snake vaccine; long term affects of vaccines and also bite wounds. We were surprised to learn that treatment of snakebite at a vet office would probably cost well over a thousand dollars. Also, there could be permanent damage to the dog and there is still a 50% chance the dog won’t survive even with the vaccine. These facts convinced us that we were doing the right thing for our dogs and ourselves by attending the class.
We found the class well laid out, and knew what to expect. We appreciated the fact that Terry did an assessment on the dogs early in the class and then adjusted the severity of the shock accordingly. We live in an area known to have snakes, and we hope never to have a dog/rattler encounter. But we have confidence now that our dogs have learned the lesson of snake avoidance. In the weeks since the class, we have used the LEAVE IT command successfully. Many thanks to Terry and to VCA.

Sincerely, Lloyd. Fort Collins, CO

Thank goodness for Terry Jester! We took our 3 year old neutered male aussie/blueheeler mix dog Jazper to our vet for a checkup to determine if there was a medical reason why this normally mellow, loving dog had suddenly begun growling when petted. I mean a scary sounding, “Eyes dilated - Teeth barred – Don’t touch me” kind of growl. After witnessing the growl, and observing no associated medical problems, our vet recommended we go see Animal Behaviorist Terry Jester. I didn’t initially understand how this could help. After all, our dogs seemed good, except for the growling thing. I thought I understood dogs, having successfully been to obedience training with our first dog 16 years ago, plus I have read numerous dog training books…even the one by that Ceasar guy. Nonetheless, I called Terry. She promptly returned the voicemail, and we set a date to meet. Terry greeted us as we drove into the yard of her ranch. To our surprise, Terry did not want to see a demonstration of the growling behavior, but instead, she wanted to see me take Jazper for a walkabout. I clipped the flexi-leash onto his collar, and my husband did the same for our 5 year old female dog Tess (an older sibling of Jazper). Both dogs then bolted like a rocket out the back of the SUV, pulling us this way and that, something akin to being behind a team of spastic rookie sled-dogs. It took Terry all of about 30 seconds to diagnose the problem, although she continued to intently observe our dog/owner interaction as we explored the delights of her ranch, before ending the visit with a chat session in her office. The “technical diagnosis”, Terry patiently explained, is that Jazper was “too big for his britches”. The dog, having reached a mature age, now believes he is higher in the PACK order than either of his owners, and that his alpha older sister dog is the one in charge…NOT us. We realized long ago that Tess was dominant over Jazper, but we had no clue that Jazper had evolved to see himself as dominant over us now. Wow…what a concept. Terry said she believed there was hope, and it came in the form of her 6 wk “Family Dog Training” class**,” where owners would re-establish a healthy pack order for us and the dogs. (**It’s really dog OWNER training class). Well, we listened to the wise, insightful Terry, and practiced her gentle teachings. The positive changes in the dogs happened rapidly, almost magically, and the horrible growling behavior ceased. Each dog training class taught a new beneficial command, and built upon the previous week’s lesson. For the first time ever, our dogs can pleasantly go on walks with us, loose leash and all. They no longer unsafely bolt through doorways or up staircases ahead of us. No more leaping uninvited out of the SUV. Both dogs seem much happier, and the value of what Terry has taught us all is priceless. We are appreciative of our vet for referring us, and every day we say “Thank goodness for Terry Jester ! ! ”

Sincerely, Julie and Jazper Fort Collins, CO

Hi, Terry - I wrote the testimonial below for you to use on your web site. You can quote me - or maybe, rather, us (me AND Powie). This class was so valuable that I would take it over and over, every week of the year, if Terry offered it. She recognized the potential in my “challenging” dog, accepted us into Level Three obedience, and helped us to fulfill his potential. Terry’s class is a critical factor in accomplishing our dream of being a Therapy Dog team. I’m so grateful to Terry that I don’t know how to express it.

Glenn and Powie

Our family met Terry about four years ago when we had a dog and human aggressive dog. Terry came to our house and quickly (and correctly) determined that we really needed some help! After working with us for about an hour, we had regained some control of our pet. We were amazed as we had already taken four training courses with other dog trainers with no success. We immediately enrolled in the level one course where Terry welcomed us and our problematic pooch without exception. She safely and effectively challenged our preconceived notions and allowed us to understand our dog and ourselves better. By the end of the subsequent training course (level two), we had a dog who looked to us BEFORE making a decision to aggress and who had truly become a part of our family. Sadly, we only had a short time with him, as we lost him early to cancer.

We now have a Bulldogge (Frank) whom we have trained in Terry’s methods (with her continued assistance) since he joined our family. We have taken all three levels of her course multiple times and each has a unique and fun outcome! We are currently taking a level three course (just for fun) and have been having a blast with continuing to challenge ourselves and our dog. Just yesterday, we had workers out to our house. Frank is a very friendly dog, but certainly can look intimidating! He ran to the door to greet the workers, and I simply told him “back,” “down,” and “stay.” Frank backed up about six feet, laid down, and despite the fact that he REALLY wanted to see these people, did not move as we discussed our business for about 30 minutes. At the end of our discussion, the workers said, “this is the best behaved dog we have ever seen! We have never seen a dog stay when its owner told it to.”

Because of the consistency that we have learned from Terry in her classes, we have a dog that can go with us anywhere safely and join us in any activity we are participating in!

Melissa, Kyle, and Addie, Fort Collins, CO

When my two, formerly-loving cats started fighting after a trip to the vet, I was at my wit’s end. I contacted Terry and she knew immediately what to do. Within 24 hours, the cats were comfortable enough to be left alone together. Terry really knows what’s going on with the animals and I highly recommend her. I will call her first for any problem.

Alesa , Fort Collins, CO

Hi Terry,

Tucker and I just finished the Delta evaluation today and we passed for predictable environments. I'm so excited! We could not have done it without you. Your guidance and encouragement were catalysts to our success. Thank you so very much.

Tucker and I visited the Rehab and Nursing Center on Thursday. We had a message on our answering machine from April when we got home wanting to schedule regular visits.

Take care and thank you so much for all of your encouraging words, training tips and guidance along our journey. It has been an enriching experience for both of us.

One other thing I wanted to share with you that I'm sure will not be new to you...the bond Tucker and I have now is so much stronger since we did the training with you. I can't even begin to tell you the changes that have occurred. Thank you for that as well.

Regards, Marcia and Tucker

Hi Terry,

I follow your articles in the paper.  Lots of good advice.  But have been wanting to thank you for when Skipper and I attended your class last fall.  We even missed two of them but did want to let you know that you made a difference for both of us. 

We will never be "show" material but we both have a different attitude.  I was mostly chair bound for Jan., Feb., and March and Skipper was my best buddy for sure.  He was most sympathetic when I was reduced to tears on several occasions. 

Loose leash walking is still not his best thing but he can do it if he has to!!  But must admit I let him smell his special spots on our usual walk sites. 

Just got back from a week in the country with lots of bull head stickers, chickens, geese, and ducks running loose and a new baby kitten and puppy that he was a gentleman with.  He sure slept well on the 50 miles drive home, he was worn out as I was too.  Cooking, cleaning and taking care of milking supplies and two lively grand kids was fun but good to get home too.  I know you made a difference  for both of us.  Thanks again Terry. 

Jean, Fort Collins.

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