Last fall, my eight-month-old Beagle puppy, Pickles and I began taking classes with Animal Sense at Oak Park Canine Learning Center. Pickles and I had done some obedience training at home, but we had not attended a formal class. I realized that it was important for Pickles to be around other dogs, so we began taking classes.

When we first started, Pickles was a very timid, quiet dog. He spent the first several sessions clinging to the walls. Jamie and Kelly spent the majority of our sessions luring him out from under the chairs with peanut butter, cat food and other treats. He did not venture out into the room until the middle of our second six-week session. When he did, the entire class let out a shriek.

I am so grateful to Jamie and Kelly because of all the time and energy they have put into Pickles. He is now a confident, well-behaved dog. Without the training of Animal Sense, Pickles could have become an aggressive and violent pet. Instead, he is a wonderful part of our family.

Pickles is now a year and a half and we are still attending classes with Animal Sense at the Oak Park Canine Learning Center. We have made many four-legged friends and have learned a tremendous amount about how a dog's mind (especially a stubborn Beagle's) works. When you say the word "school", Pickles immediately runs to the back door, looks at his leash and sits. He is a changed dog because of Jamie and Kelly!

Carolyn Roos