Success Stories

The Exceptional Pets & People of Northern Fairfield County, CT

Success Stories

At The Exceptional Pet, we believe that every dog and family we work with is a success. Why? Because they made time and invested in their dog’s happiness and their home’s harmony.

Rather than simply ignoring or adjusting to challenging behaviors, these families dedicated the time and effort to better understand their beloved companions. They learned to communicate with them, learning humane, science-backed techniques to manage and address unwanted behaviors, building stronger relationships, and setting themselves and their dogs up for long-term success.

We applaud all of our clients and their dogs for honoring the human/animal bond through training, and thank you for allowing us to be part of your success story.

Dog Name: Tuxedo

Dear Abby,

Thank you for training my mom on how to be the pack leader. The role was really getting to be very stressful for me. Before you came to my rescue, my mom could hardly take me anywhere. I was so fearful that I constantly barked and growled at humans and their pesky kids. I also didn’t like other dogs or animals and always tried to initiate a fight.

Each time I visited to the veterinarian I misbehaved so much that I had to wait outside. Being an adorable

Sheltie/Samoyed mix, I LOVED being out in the cold, but my mom was freezing her buns off!! That was the last straw for her. It’s tough learning how to relax and let her take the lead, but she says I’m making progress. She takes me to the pet store and on walks a lot more. I learned that I actually like humans (especially when they give me delicious treats!)

Thanks a lot and see you in class! (Mom’s enrolling me in school so that I can work on socializing)

Human Name: Stacy

I often think about you training our dogs. I want to tell you that of the three dog trainers that we have tried, hands down you are the best. I have found a lot of standing around and listening but not a It of action and use of the other dogs to work with. Your group classes are the most organized and unsurpassed. If you start up advanced group classes, Rally or Agility, please It me know, we would love to work with you again.

Human Name: Lauren

I’m pleased to tell you that on mine and Bruno’s last couple walks he has been very good!!! Shockingly good. He has not been barking or pulling or even barking at cars!!! I can’t believe it I use to wrap the leash around my hand as far as I could and with this new leash I barely hold it and he does so good.

Human Name: Sharon G.

I first came to Abby at the Exceptional Pet in January of 2007 with my Border Collie, Pepper. Pepper had a severe dog aggression problem. We couldn’t go for a walk where there might be other dogs, or go to a dog park or even have her in the car parked next to another car with a dog in it! It was virtually impossible to do these simple things.

A friend recommended Doggie Day Care. So, we went for the interview, which she promptly failed and they recommended Abby. The first night of class I was a WRECK! Abby immediately took charge and put us both at ease. At each class we got Pepper closer and closer to other dogs until finally she was able to lay down right next to them! What a triumph! Such a small thing has made a huge difference in our lives. We can now get out and about together without the fear of a “doggie confrontation”.

My children can come to our house with their dogs and everyone gets along. Next step will be day care. Training at The Exceptional Pet is “real life” training, not something that is achieved only in a controlled situation. Let’s face it, life isn’t always controlled. My sincere gratitude goes to Abby for helping me have a dog that I can take anywhere.

Human Name: Olivia

Whenever people ask me about Abby my reply is always the same,” I love Abby, she is the local dog whisperer, I wish she would come and live with me to keep my dogs in line and constantly train them to do really cool tricks”. The thing is people think I’m kidding, I’m not! I am a veterinary technician and Labrador retriever breeder.

I met Abby about 8 years ago when I was looking for obedience classes for my lab Olivia. On the first day of class I remember she had her two dogs, Millie and Mo, with her. They sat calmly in the corner of the room for the entire class. Maybe that doesn’t sound impressive…. have you tried it?

It takes a lot of work. I found that really she was training me which made it easy to take that I learned and apply it to real life situations.The first classes were so much fun that we signed up for a bunch more. I was impressed watching her work with some of the less cooperative dogs; she is so patient and gets the job done! Olivia went on to pass the therapy dog test on her very first try! At the vet hospital where I work we recommend Abby not only for puppy /obedience classes, but also for behavior and aggression problems at home. I remember a particular client who had adopted an adult standard poodle that was becoming dominant aggressive towards the wife. Abby went to their house and in one visit they were able to eliminate the problem.

Another friend of mine had a dog with unpredictable aggression problems and would have had to get rid of their dog without Abby’s help. For years I have encouraged all my puppy buyers to go to at least go to the basic puppy classes. Everyone that has taken my advice has been thrilled with the results. When I recently got my newest puppy, Lucy, she was lab number 4. Off to basic puppy classes we went! Lucy loved it and it was the same great experience I had all those years ago with Olivia who is now ten.

Human Name: Sharon G.

Human Name: Laeticia

Pepper is doing wonderfully! She is a pleasure to walk on a leash and take on my runs now. We have also been taking her to the T-ball and Soccer games where there are a lot of kids and other dogs too.

She has been fantastic and much calmer and of course very motivated by treats! She has also become a hit with the adults, a lot of who now want to go out and by themselves a Standard Schnauzer. She is also now an expert at sitting and laying down plus I have taught her to fetch with the techniques you showed me.Thanks so much for your help – she literally has become a different dog almost overnight!

Thanks so much for your help – she literally has become a different dog almost overnight!

Humane Name: Joanna

Just want to let you know how awesome Zeus has been. I absolutely think he has been getting more and more comfortable with others now that we are taking his lead with wanting to be a “dinos.”

Human Name: Tom

I started training classes with Abby for my Corgi, Samantha, when she was just six months old. At that point, the only real expectations I had were for her to learn how to sit, stay, and not pull me around when I was walking her. As the classes moved from Puppy to Beginner to Advanced, I could see her really taking an interest. We’d go outside and she would heel at my left and look up at me with that Corgi smile on her face as if she were saying, look, I did it! I can tell she is so excited to go to class and be around her friends, and she looks so excited every time we learn something new and she is able to accomplish it.

Abby teaches everything so well with a fun attitude and really encourages a lot of praise. Now, just nearing her first birthday (and knowing much more than how to sit, stay, and walk on the leash), Samantha and I are getting ready for our first co,,,,……… dog show!

Working with Abby has been a great experience for me, both getting to see the great rewards of working with my dog and also being around a fun group of other animal-lovers every week.