Stevensville, Montana
Testimonials - Pawsitive Change Dog Training
Pawsitive Results
"Working with Jean has been incredibly helpful to us. We've done all our sessions remotely, from a different country, and we have still learned so much. Jean did an excellent job of preparing us for the lessons, listening to our questions and concerns, providing real-time training, and responding to any follow-up questions with thought and care. Her approach is pragmatic and clear. She stays focused on the task at hand, and helped us to find patience and confidence with each step in the process. We left every session with new things to try, and an excellent record of what we'd discussed to refer back to later. Our high-energy pup has become much easier to manage, and we now have a range of tools and methods to use for the learning that lies ahead. I recommend Jean highly to anyone looking to become a better dog parent!"
- Amy & Sigge
"I worked with Jean to help my mini aussie with his reactivity around other dogs and insecurity in new situations. She has provided me the tools and taught me how to use them so now he looks to me in these situations on what he should do. She also recognizes that the other end of the leash needs help too like I did with being worried about reactivity and unknown variables that were very stressful for me. Meeting with Jean via Zoom was easy and really helpful. I live rurally, so not having to drive every week to meet in person was a big help and time saver. Now that we are done with the training course, she has options to meet up in person to evaluate how you and your dog are doing. Between the Zoom training and the meet up option after the training course was the whole reason I wanted to give it a try. And I‘m glad I did. I have seen more progress in my dog in the 6 weeks training with Jean than I was able to figure out on my own in a year. Be prepared to work and hold yourself accountable as Jean checks your training log regularly which is motivation in itself to continue to work with your dog. Seeking the help of a professional dog trainer like Jean is worth it. I highly recommend her and will continue to use her services with all my dogs."
-Kristin & Grin
"Jean provided private lessons for me and my small reactive rescue dog, Tiggy. I thought I had a good handle on behavioral modification, and I was hearing from others that "that's just the way small dogs are," so I kept putting off dog training. But Jean surpassed my expectations and made me wish I had sought her out sooner! She taught me a bunch of new skills and ideas to use with Tiggy, and I saw major improvements in my dog's reactive behavior over just three lessons. Jean personalized our lessons to address both my and Tiggy's readiness. She was incredibly detail-oriented, and even wrote up individualized plans to help modify some of Tiggy's specific behaviors. When we first started our lessons with Jean, Tiggy was nipping and barking most every time she saw a dog or a stranger. Now, Tiggy will usually look to me for guidance about how to respond to stressors in her environment. I feel like me and Tiggy are even closer now, and I feel much more confident in my ability to keep her safe and happy!"
-Hillary, Ka, and Tiggy
"Patches and I are so grateful for the Reactive Rover course! He made such amazing progress so quickly. He went from barking at everyone and everything to being able to walk past other dogs barking at him without a peep! He still has days where he gets overwhelmed, but we now have the tools to handle it and the exercises to keep working on it! Thank you, dog trainer Jean!"
-Michelle and Patches
"We are so fortunate to live in an area (Missoula) that has so many resources for dogs and their people. One of these “resources” is Pawsitive Change Dog Training. I had the pleasure of working with Jean and I was able to see firsthand what a special trainer Jean is. When I adopted a frail (emotionally and physically) Chihuahua from the LDR puppy mill in St. Ignatius, I hired Jean for private training sessions. Josie, the Chihuahua, had endured a horrific existence and was clearly traumatized. Jean, armed with patience, calmness, and skill, was able to turn Josie from terrified to terrific! Josie and I will be forever grateful for Jean!"
-Bonney Eken
"I just wanted to give you a little update on Gus and thank you for all your help! We got a little behind over the holidays, but we are back on track with training and Gus is doing really well. Last night I was doing some more mat work with him while I was cooking dinner and he got so settled he fell asleep waiting for his next treat! He is definitely a calmer dog in general and his pacing has greatly reduced. He is still on fluoxetine, but I think his improvements have a lot to do with the training! I’ll probably have more questions as I continue to move through his training, but I am really excited about the progress he has made and just wanted to send a quick thank you!"
-Mary Ellis and Gus
"We were impressed at how well our “remote” training session went, even in the wind and snow... the iPad , using Facetime, worked beautifully in and around our yard, and we felt like you, our professional trainer, were right there with us. Sound was great for us, and visual apparently worked fine for you, because your comments and suggestions didn’t even seem to be impacted by any kind of half-second time delay. And I hope you won’t be offended or hurt if I tell you the trainee (dog) didn’t show any sign of missing you at all. Thanks for helping us make training work (and so well) even from such a distance."
-Susan, Mike and Elle
"Jean was FANTASTIC! At first we were a bit skeptical using Zoom to train our dog, Indy, but found it to be far better than both my husband & I had envisioned. Training w/Jean via Zoom also offered us the ability to go back and review our recorded lesson if we wanted to see how a particular skill was taught. Via Zoom Jean was easily able to guide us through each lesson. After our first experience with Puppy lessons, we signed up for Loose Leash lessons. After each lesson, Jean promptly followed through by emailing us a written summary of our lesson and a link to view the recording. She also provided a list of training games to practice before our next lesson and we were encouraged to contact her if we had any additional questions or problem areas. We appreciated her attention to detail and having someone with her level of knowledge on dog training. Highly recommend!"
-Laura, Rus & Indy
"Jean was amazing with our entire family! We have a new puppy and he was having a hard time with basic commands. Jean set us on a path for success in a very informed and logical way. I was very impressed with the zoom lessons we received and it was a huge success."
-Laurie & Bernie
"... I adopted a rescue dog based on the online description and conversations with the rescue organization. When I got Taffy home, I realized she was far more traumatized than conversations with the rescue people indicated. Her trauma was to a degree I’ve never encountered before (and I’m experienced with animals). I needed a professional to help me with this poor little broken girl and Pawsitive Change Dog Training was the best choice I could have made! Taffy has gone from a trembling, shut down dog incapable of functioning to a happy, playful little girl who’s gaining confidence, trust and SO eager to learn!
We still have work to do. However, Taffy has come so much farther in 2 months than I thought possible when I began this journey. To see her tail wag, light in her eyes and witness her learn skills with remarkable speed has been a joy! I have complete confidence that she will accomplish whatever I ask of her with continued use of the techniques Jean has taught me. It’s such a joy to be part of Taffy’s amazing progress to a happier life."
~Kim & Taffy
Patches - a recovering reactive dog!