"I recently bought your Dogperfect training book. I LOVE IT! It is a true miracle worker." Tracy Auvil, Tallahassee, Florida

"I would, first of all, like to congratulate you on your book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fun and Tricks with your Dog! It's about time someone wrote a clear, concise manual for having fun with your dog. I love your sense of humor and all the tips and factoids you add to the text...We are discovering new talents I did not know he [the dog] possessed like tracking, service, and agility! With a little imagination the possibilities are endless! Your book has helped transform a pesky, bothersome pup into a happy, productive companion. Thank you, Sarah!!"
Margaret J. Puhek, Chisholm, Montana

I would like to share with you my experience of training my huge dog with Sarah Hodgson. Sarah's training, both in the classroom and privately, is brilliant and unique. She has a very compassionate approach to the dog as well as the person, and the training can be customized to address your dog's individual need. It all makes so much sense! Our year and a half old yellow lab, Jack, was becoming very aggressive toward men, especially when I had him on the leash. This was a panic situation for me because at 90 lbs., I was afraid I would never be able to control him or stop him from hurting someone. Sarah came to our home, and I started the classroom training as well. What she immediately realized was that I had made Jack feel like he was the head dog in our pack and he had to protect all of us. Being the kind, good natured soul that he was, this was not a role he was comfortable with or one that he was even good at. We started him with the gentle leader training collar and the waist leash, and he was attached to me at all times in the house for about 2 weeks straight. This really taught him that I was controlling him and he was not controlling me. There were other things to do as well, which worked very quickly and effectively, and less than 2 months later, Jack is no longer being aggressive toward men or anyone for that matter, and he is a much better-behaved dog. If you really listen to her, do everything she tells you to do, and remain consistent, you will have a great dog, and a wonderful relationship with your pet! Her methods are what makes the training different, and it really becomes second nature for you and your dog. Sarah's training really changed all of our lives, and now our dog is just so happy!
Nadine Bilotta
Mamaroneck, New York

"I perused the shelves at the local Barnes & Noble, and your book appealed to me more than any other, so I bought it. For weeks, I read sections of it at night to my daughter (seven), and we practiced commands and did some pretending for what-if situations...Every single thing you suggested has worked...Your advice is really uncanny. I sometimes wonder if she read your book before she came here. Thank you so much for your invaluable help!"
Peggy Moorman, New York, New York

Hi Sarah, I've been meaning to write for weeks now, but you know, life...

Anyway, Passover...

Stationed Hershey in the dining room (a new environment for her since she's not allowed to hang out there under normal circumstances). She knew what was expected of her and put her head down and went to sleep! Took Hershey to Mitchell's baseball game last week. Lots of commotion and little kids petting her and in her face. She flipped on her belly and let them pet her and not a single growl. She sat at my heel and went to sleep. I couldn't resist, picked her up and let her finish her nap in my lap. The next day it was the soccer field. Bravo, again. Yesterday a two mile walk to practice heel and keep me company while I train for my breast cancer walk. She crossed my path only twice and was a pleasure. Yes, we're having fun now and I can't thank you enough. A trained dog is much more pleasant to have around, and while we have miles to go and much more to learn, we're off to such a good start and I have you to thank. So, THANKS. See you Wednesday.
Lanny Becker

"Just wanted to write with words of thanks and tell you how impressed I was with you the other night when the black lab got loose and ran out the door of the Historical Hall. I heard you yell 'down' (like the lord was separating the great seas) and then I saw you run back to the rest of your waiting students in the building. . .so I knew it worked. This is a pretty amazing lesson to be learned, it is experiences like this that make a difference, and you are making a big difference for all of us in your classes. Thanks."
Lindzay Green, Katonah, New York

"Thank you, thank you, thank you.

After the death of my dearly loved dog Coco two years ago, I had come to the conclusion that I would never again be a successful dog-keeper. I couldn't seem to find the "right" dog or to conquer training difficulties. Yet I dearly wanted a dog to share my life with.

A couple of months ago, I bought Puppies for Dummies and have been reading and studying it since then.

A week ago I brought home Rose, a 3 month old Maltese puppy. With the help of your book, I selected a breed that seemed a good fit for my life and more importantly, Rose's temperament seemed right. She was more mellow (a middleman of her litter I think) and had apparently been passed over by others who chose the more active of her littermates.

With my preparation from reading Puppies for Dummies, I was better trained from the start in how to interact with Rose and already MY training is paying huge rewards in training Rose. Obviously, we have a long way to go together, but that is the wonderful part--we are together and will be together for a long time to come. What a joy she is!

So thank you for having written Puppies for Dummies. Most of all your helpful information and advice are proof to us dog lovers that we aren't dummies. Rather, we, like our puppies, just need training (and love and patience)."
Janice Henderson, Honolulu, HI