Puppy Prep School Alumni
Testimonials:
Shelia
I took Penny to the Vet today for her initial check-in. The Dr. was so impressed with her and the job you guys do that he asked me to contact you and tell you just that. He could also tell that she had been to a trainer too, because she was so calm and sweet while he handled her (not to mention how shocked he was that she sleeps through the night). He even said that if he were getting a dog at this point, and knowing all that he does, that he would get one of these doodles. I was really a little surprised at just how much he went on about how impressed he was. He said I had really done my research and that you guys are to be commended!
This is probably nothing new to hear, but wanted to share nonetheless.
Penny is adjusting well to her new home and making progress everyday.
I'm sure I'll be in touch again soon, just wanted to pass this along.
Carrie
To Those Interested in Goldendoodles:
I am currently a doodle owner as of 12/20/08. My husband and I were in search for a dog for our special needs children. Our hopes were to find a companion for them, that could meet all of their emotional needs as well as in the future, meet some of their physical needs, due to their handicap. The goldendoodles are very smart, easy to train, and loving. This inspired us to search for this type of dog. In searching for a doodle, I located Smeraglia Kennel on the internet. I noticed that one of the benefits that they offer are Therapy Doodles. As I began researching, I learned that I could purchase a doodle, and that Smeraglia Kennel/Doodle Prep School would train him and lay the ground work for further certification in becoming a Therapy Dog, in order to meet our specific needs. Let me just tell you, Smeraglia Kennel/Doodle Prep School did just that. They found a perfect match for our family! Our Dog, Barkley, is wonderful and we are really enjoying him. He is perfect. Prep School was very beneficial! He now has manners and obedience, and is extremely loving and tolerable of anything. I could not ask for anything more! Due to Barkley attending Prep School, he will not have to go through as much training as if he were starting out brand new. Also, Due to the training received at Prep School, Barkley is well on his way to being a wonderful Therapy Dog. Thank You Smeraglia Kennel/Doodle Prep School for helping make a dream come true for our family!!!!!!
With Love,
Stephanie, Chris, Carson, and Conner Lovelady
Carol,
Just a note to thank you very much for your training of Truman before he was shipped to us. As the weeks pass and we meet other new puppy owners, we are continually reminded of how valuable your training was, and how much ‘pain & suffering’ we missed as a result of your training. On a second note, thank you equally for being available by phone to train us. You have saved us countless hours in learning how to communicate and understand with Truman. Both Dave & I strongly advocate your training to anyone who is new to puppies or don’t want an extended period of house breaking and basic manners. We feel we are months ahead in our relationship with a well mannered Truman because of your involvement. Thank You!! Pam & Dave
Ziggy and I are doing great!
I am so impressed with his training! He sure knows his name; 'sit' and 'leave it'. It is so cute the way he keeps himself from jumping on me by hopping around and then sitting without even being asked. We hit it off immediately when I removed him from his crate at the airport. He is such a relaxed and cuddly puppy. I could not be more pleased! I am awaiting his kit (training leash, DVD, etc.)--which got separated from him at the airport. I will call you later in the week, after it arrives and I've had time to view DVD. I feel we are doing very well. He has had visitors and handled them well--except for my daughter-who is a cat owner. He is very leery of her--even when she gets on the floor to greet him. Has he been exposed to cats? He is very bright and figured out the doggy dog in a day! I appreciate that he is used to being crated and that I can work around the kitchen while he is crated and he is content to watch. I am starting to leave him out in the kitchen area for very brief periods. He quietly waits my return by the gate when he isn't amusing himself with his toys. On our walks he spends as much time laying on the cool grass as walking, ha. He gets braver each day with his new environment (outside our yard). He likes being picked up and held when he hears threatening noises--like traffic--loud barking. We plan to work on 'down' today. Special thanks to you! I am elated with my new love. Carol
Hello all,
Here is a picture of our boy - Riley Patrick Murphy - taken in July 2008. If you recall, he is from Maggie and Jock's November 2007 litter. As you see, he has just had a modified Schnauzer hair cut for the summer. We adore him; he is great with kids, other dogs, and adults. Riley is living the life of....... BTW - our best investment was the Puppy Prep School. Thank you so much for recommending it. All the best, Linda K. Murphy
Hi Carol & Beverly,
Just wanted to know everything went great with picking Cooper up from
the airport. He was pretty hesitant to come out of the crate, but he is
now bounding around! Such a cutie...and being such a good boy. He's
already worked on the potty outside and is great at sitting - lot of
rewards! :-) Thank you so much for everything!
Carrie
Morning,
We just wanted to update you that all is well. The puppies were great travelers -- no car sickness or accidents! They slept the whole way home except when we had to wake them up to go potty. They seem to be adjusting well to us and our home. They love running circles around our yard, chasing each other and just romping. We are doing our training sessions and getting on a schedule. We took them for a walk last night (it's too hot in the daytime) and that tired them out and they were very ready to go to bed. There's been a few accidents, but we expected that. They did great this morning. Yesterday we took them to the vet for a checkup and any needed shots. The vet's staff now calls them, "The cutest puppies in the world." They are very impressed with well behaved they are. JC and I are proceeding with the spaying and neutering on the vet's recommendation. We're having them both done at the same time so they can be together and spend the night at the vet's together. We are so happy we got both Onyx and Moe. What a pair! They just love each other and are pretty much inseparable. They love to play and pick on each other! They are also so very loving. Sherri, thank you all so much for the wonderful breed of dogs. Carol, thank you so much for your training. Priceless! We'll stay in touch and will send some pictures soon. Sallie & JC Spinner
Hello,
We want to mention that the directions home that you gave us were the right way to go, and Ollie is lovable, playful, and I have to admit my husband is more difficult to train according to your directions, than the puppy. Ollie is wonderful.
Beverly Yoskowitz
Hi Sherri, Beverly and Carol,
Here are some new photos of our little miniature schnoodle Bug (Yang's tri-colored girl), who is about to turn six months old. She is the sweetest dog. Jim and I are completely crazy about her. She is a member of our family and we would do anything for her! She traveled with us to West Virginia recently for a weekend in the woods, and she loved exploring in the mountains. She loves being outside -- on every walk, she eventually will plop down in the grass and roll around. She still is being very obedient and is completely housetrained -- she has an accident every now and then, but it is rare.
Bug weighs 8 pounds now -- far more than the 3.1 pounds she weighed when we got her, but she is still a tiny little girl. The vet says she is doing great, and everyone at our clinic loves her and stops by to say hi when we come in.
We are so impressed by Bug's temperament. She loves every person and dog she meets, and nothing seems to upset her. She will occasionally bark very quietly, but it hasn't become an issue. We have had massive thunder and lightning storms in the past few weeks, and the noise hasn't bothered Bug one bit. She's the best puppy ever!
Thank you so much for breeding and training such wonderful dogs. I am already finding myself wanting to add another to our flock, but that might have to wait a few years.
Best,
Amy Carlile
Hi Carol
I just wanted to let you know Madden is doing really well. Thanks so much for all of your guidance and advice. SHe is scheduled to be spayed next week. Her house training is going great, she is ringing the bell etc. We even trained her on the electric fence in just three days. She no longer chases after the bunnies! The only thing we are working on is stopping her from eating her poop! ugh! she still does it and there doesnt seem to be anything to do about it except stand there with her and clean it right up. That's ok, we love her, she is so sweet!! so good with the boys, even is really taking to Sam, the baby! Icant remeber not having her! She is awesome! here is a picture I took the other day of her with my oldest son Patrick who is seven. When we are ready for dog number two we will for sure want puppy prep school!! thanks again Melissa
Hi Carol!
Jeff and I had the best time meeting you yesterday and soooooo enjoyed obtaining your wisdom and knowledge on training dogs. Wow, you are phenominal!!!!! When you get a moment, will you please email Gabi's schedule to me? I know you mentioned it to us yesterday during our visit. Gabi is doing wonderfully and adapting well with the children and Bailey. She traveled in my lap during the 4 1/2 hour drive - we stopped 2 hrs into the trip and she pooped and peed for us. She never fussed and just laid there like a sweet baby! Today she has done beautifully with potty training and when I was doing laundry this morning she found the newspaper on the floor in the laundry room and peed on that...wow! Gabi does cry some when I place her in the crate but calms down fairly quickly. We are so in love with her and can't thank you enough for your impeccable training. I am going to watch the DVD during nap time and take diligent notes to keep her training on track. Thanks again for your support and love for Gabi! Many blessings, Sheri
Hello Everyone,
Ziggy is here and is awesome, we are totally in love. his flight was delayed a little but we had him by about 4:30 and got home just about an hour ago. he was a little out of it but between the ride home and getting into the house, he is totally settled in. he seems to have a very sweet disposition and if he stays like this, what a way to start off. thanks to all of you, we'll be in touch. the champagnes
Carol, just wanted to give you an update on Bear. Bear is doing wonderful. We are enjoying him so much and know that you and your family must miss him. I have taken some pictures (I use the old fashion kind of camera) and once I get them developed I will send over a few pic's. He is doing great at telling us he has to go (ring the bell). He had he first grooming this past weekend (just a small cleanup) and he looks great. He is bitting a lot and was wonderful in addition to boredom busters is there anything else we could do to curb that behavior? Take care Eric
Hi Carol! Bella is doing great. We love her so much! She follows wyatt and I around everywhere. She is doing well with "sit" and "leave it" . She is also getting along well with the other dogs in the area! We just got back from the beach, she ran around and played with some other dogs(i will attach a pic) and even waded in a little bit! Just working on her not getting too excited when wyatt is running around and kind of play biting at him, but i'm sure it will come with time. I've attached a few pictures.
Thanks so much!
Hillary
Hi Sherri/Beverly, I just had to write and say how in love with my puppy ,Stella, I am. She is the most gentle and loving dog I have ever known. Everyone who sees her falls in love. You did an amazing job of picking the perfect pup for me and my boys. Stella is even gentle with my 2 year old and doesn't try to steal food that might be in his hand. Nicholas(my 2 yr. old) likes to pet her soft fur and runs after her calling her "blah" which is Stella in toddlerspeak. Stella was so well trained by Sheila she was sleeping through the night when she got here and follows her commands beautifully. I only have to tell her something 2 or 3 times and she seems to have learned it! I love this dog! Thank you so much for your caring about us and the dogs you raise as well as picking excellent trainers. You are truly an exceptional breeder and I sing your praises often. Best Wishes, Christine
