Here's what our clients say:

Thank you from all of us. You're a real crusader. (I enjoyed reading about your experiences with whelping)
jeanne and Cliff

Hi Gina
Thank you so much for your time last week, I learned a great deal.   Most of all, I have noticed a huge shift in my own behavior and reactions towards the dogs.   And with that comes more calmness from them. I have been working with the leash/jumping behavior and really watching my own behavior with him.  It's all good.  I love the thought that Jackson is being a dog, it makes so much sense.  I also have to tell you that people are already noticing Jackson's calmer energy (as I calm mine down). I have been really focused on using their names positively ONLY. I've stopped saying "no." More often I am having them :look at me." It's not all better, of course, but I see changes. I wish more people would understand that about dogs.   But that will come in time, just like people's understanding of what I do!
Best to you,
Angela 

I took Nisha with me this past Sunday morning to the Hillsdale Farmers Market since dogs are allowed there.  I wanted to practice her greetings.  I reinforced her sitting for greetings.  After the first couple, she started walking up to someone she wanted to meet and sitting at their feet.  Needless to say, she met a LOT of people.  We also practiced sit/maintain while waiting in line for a bagel.  Despite all the distractions, she really did well.  She got a lot of compliments on being such a well behaved puppy.  People kept asking me how old she was and were surprised to learn that she was only 15 weeks.  One woman told me several times that she had never met such a well behaved puppy before.

Thanks again.

Phyllis

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I think of you as efficient, In fact, I was just thinking about your path... your credentials...and I must say, it is impressive,  we all have interests and ideas, but you are of the cloth that pursues and accomplishes. It is a brave soul that follows his or her intuitions.  Now that your butt is covered with kisses, I will end by letting you know that I believe it is important to tell people how much you appreciate who they are and what they do.  You are a fantastic teacher, and that is a tough job, too.

 In all sincerity,

 Jodi O.

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Fiona is a Jack Russell Terrier and is trained The Third Way.  She attends my daycare (Dog Gone Happy on NE Alberta) and I take care of her at my home when her parents travel.

Fiona’s parents have been consistently practicing and reinforcing the skills Fiona learned at puppy class with Gina Micciulla of Unleashyourself.  Fiona sits, makes eye contact and waits to be released at every door before exiting and for her food dish. She does this all on her own without being asked. 

Fiona, myself, and four friends with their labs were at Sauvie Island this particular Saturday.  Fiona was off leash and playing with the labs near the water’s edge at some distance away from me.  She checked in with me on a regular basis by turning and looking at me, and at times, running back to me to touch base.  She did this on a voluntary basis without any prompts from me.

I saw an unfamiliar dog coming off the trail that leads to the beach near where Fiona and the labs were playing.  I wanted Fiona close to me since I did not know about this dog.  I waited until Fiona turned to look at me and I gave the hand signal to come.  A gesture Fiona learned at puppy class with Gina.  Without a moment of hesitation, Fiona turned her body and ran towards me.  When she got to me, she sat and made eye contact. 

The Third Way works!

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AMAZING! Seriously, I can actually go walking as my exercise now. It’s so nice!

In fact, I have to tell you that everything is going so well that, If we master what you’ve taught us already – we’ll be 100% happy with Max.

Dineen

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This is awesome. I also wanted to comment to you on how helpful (and also comical) it was for you to talk as if you were the Dog when Ernie was having trouble committing to a sit. That is exactly what is going on in their head and it was such a great learning experience for me.
Thanks,
Dee

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You are so wonderful! Thank you from me, Rocket and Nautica. I've tried many training methods and have seen for myself how great this one is. You have really helped us communicate and be much happier together. Rocket has really come a long way with this method and I can definitely see how much easier Nautica is catching on having tried this method with her first thing. I talk you up every chance I get!

Again, thank you so much. Your classes are so enjoyable and we all look forward to learning more. See you soon!

DeLyne, Nautica and Rocket.

As you say "Smile!"I want to thank you for ALL that you have done to inspire and teach us. I love your seriousness and your humor. I admire you for sticking to your guns and not letting us get away with doing things halfway. Rita and Cinzia are wonderful too, a tribute to you that you attract good people.

Even with a Henry lesson remaining, I don't want to lose track of you. Talking with you and sharing some of each of our lives was of course so very special to me. Just can't say enough good things.

Love, Mary, and Henry and Quid-a-licious

Just wanted to send a quick note to say how happy we are with this class. It's exactly how we want to work with him. Bocce is learning like crazy, but more importantly, we are learning tons! We very much appreciate the service that you offer. It's also great to get a constant flow of answers, feedback, and additional info or manuals. That is far different from our friends who have gone to different training. Some thought the trainer was just downright mean.

You have helped us create a great environment for our new addition. Yesterday was really the first day where he was comfortable and interested in everything. He also started nipping like crazy for the first time, so we finally got our floor cords in place. We have to start working on that constantly and using tethers more.

There are so many times that i think "what would gina do?". Maybe we should make little multi-colored bracelets that say W.W.G.D.?
Thanks,
rp

_______________________________________________________________________________________My My kids and I practiced greetings. We practiced asking the owner and what it means to ask the dog. We even took turns being the happy/relaxed and then the fearful/angry dog. We also acted out the ignorant owner that says, oh it's okay he loves dogs. I taught my kids to say, "no thanks, he seems a little scared, i'll pet him another time." My girls and I acted out the dog saying yes and where would be okay to pet him and so on. They loved it! Saying, "I want to be the owner! I want to be the dog! and I want to ask!" We did it numerous times and they each acted out all three parts.
 
I threw them for a loop when I was the dog and I sniffed the hand but then backed away. I asked the girls now what do you think the dog is saying? Miranda said, he seems a little interested but not sure. I said, you're right, what might you do now? She said walk away? I said you certainly could do that. Because the dog seemed a little interested you could try to squat down and see if that makes the dog more comfortable. And if he doesn't approach you then you would know that he is not comfortable enough to allow you to pet him.
 
My girls totally understood this. Even Darlene who is only 5 years old understood how to read (somewhat) body language. I began by talking about body language and how you can sometimes know how someone feels by how they look. She identified, happy, angry, scared and surprised. I told them that dogs do this too, but in a little bit different way. Then we began acting... with Miranda as the dog first. It was fun. Next I can work on Robby and getting him to understand a dogs body language. It'll be a little different for him but I think if I draw some pictures for him it will work. I'll let you know how that works.
 
I will see you tomorrow at 10 am, Miranda will be there with me.  Thanks again for being so awesome!
Becca 

What I like best about your class is the relationship that I built with Parker. It's one of trust and mutual respect, if you can get respect from a dog! I trust Parker to come when called and not stray off too far away from us. When we are out hiking around 1000 acres, Parker is the one that's by our side always. Also around the house he'll follow me everywhere.

Parker knows that I'm safe and I trust him to be off leash. Our relationship is more than just human and dog.

And I really want to thank you for helping me relate to my dog in ways that he can understand. It's completely because of your class that he and I are so close.

Annie

It was a fabulous experience for me to attend your class and I am very much looking forward to attending the next class. I truly love your style and your information and your method of teaching, and who you are and how you are with both people as well as dogs. This type of training not only works with and speaks to the thinking behavior of a dog, but it allows for a much better relationship between the dog and his/her companion. It is also a more humane style of teaching... and I love how it focuses on the dog's solution oriented nature.
Stacey

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Just a quick note, to say hello and to tell you how great Jelly is doing. She is very happy and minds us very well. In addition to us, we have you to thank. Our Jelly is an adorable handful. We mention your name all the time. You do great work. Be well.

David

People continue to be amazed at how well behaved Finn is. At one year (as of last week!) he's 115 lb. and the best dog ever. Calm, self-assured, and when we are good and reinforce him well, he's extremely obedient. He has his moments, but who doesn't?
Alyssa

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Snoop doggie dog is actually figuring things out... FINALLY!!! We can walk him on a flat collar with a 6 foot leash and not be pulled, yanked and dragged all over and we almost trust him.

Yesterday he was about to lunge at a cat and I said "LEAVE IT" and he stopped in mid-flight without a yank of the leash at all and kept walking. We can all be in the garage and if a dog walks by on a leash and we tell him to stay, 9 times out of 10 he'll stay right there and not run out to it. The time he doesn't listen is if it's a neighbor's dog that he plays with at the park; we still have some room for improvement!

Since we live a few blocks from Woodstock Park he goes there most nights and runs with his friends for the off leash time and he actually comes when you call him to go home. I've never believed in miracles but this is one for sure.

Thanks for all you did to help us, he's not perfect, but we don't want to strangle him or send him back to the pound either. Of course being the world's cuddliest lover of a dog he's hard to stay too mad at for long.

Thanks again,
Kate

Not a "No Ginger, leave it"
Not a "Mom, Ginger is grabbing me"
Not a "Mom, Ginger has my lego"
nor a single sock, underwear or shoe has been moved....

...since our session. Ginger slept when she got home and even awake was very mellow. The power of wearing her out has eliminated a huge amount of frustration and now we can get busy on the management.

Norm and I haven't had a puppy for 14 years and had forgotten so much. Having you show us a new and better way to train along with your sage advice was amazing. You are worth every single penny and more. Dogs truly have a friend and advocate in you.
Thank you so much, Gina. We will be in touch.

Norm, Julie & Dylan

I wanted to share with you something funny on my morning walk with Liam. We came upon a dog that wanted so badly to walk over and visit Liam. While Liam sat patiently as I asked him to focus on me rather then the other dog, I laughed to myself as I heard the owner of the "misbehaving" dog yell at him "I'm the alpha here listen to me darnit!" and jerked on his collar. Ah, if only she knew about The Third Way.

See you tonight!
Courtney

Carol and I both want to thank you very much for spending time with us Saturday. We really appreciate your generosity and the information you gave us. I felt so much better after we talked, and we now have a plan to keep Cole safe and comfortable. After you left, we went right to Home Depot and got ideas for our fence. Then, we came home and went to work. While our fence will win no awards, we have successfully blocked off the half of our yard where Cole goes for dog bones from the neighbors.

Cole is now used to her tent, and when she sees us, she goes into it looking for treats. You gave us some practical and useful advice. It was a pleasure talking to you and your suggestions have, and will, make a difference.

Thank you so much for your help. Talk to you soon. You're the best.

Julie Castle

The Third Way Rocks!

I own Dog Gone Happy, a doggie daycare on NE Alberta.  Many of the dogs that attend my daycare are past students (some returning students) of Gina Micciulla of Unleashyourself and The Third Way (TTW). I home-board some of these dogs when owners go on vacation.

I hike often so when I’m taking care of one of my clients’ dog I take the dog with me.  When on the trail or at the beach the dog is off leash.  Because they have been trained TTW and their humans consistently reinforce the skills learned with Gina – eye contact, sit/maintain, coming when called, etc. – I know that reliability of response is fairly high. However, the environment presents many unknowns and I keep my eyes on the dog at all times.

While taking care of Blue, an Aussie trained TTW, we ended up at a beach after a long hike.  Blue loves the water so I was throwing sticks for him.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two women and a Golden Retriever approaching. The dog was off leash and jumping and barking around the women who seemed engaged in a conversation. I continued to throw the stick for Blue.  Once the Golden saw Blue, it came running towards us.  At this time, Blue was in the water.  I called, “Blue come!”  He came and sat right in front of me.  I asked for eye contact.  The exuberant Golden was by now running in circles and barking around us.  Blue never took his eyes off me.  He maintained the sit and eye contact. I just smiled and kept my eyes connected to his. The Golden finally gave up and returned to its humans.  I released Blue and reinforced his excellent work! 

Hey! Gina I'm so happy that you opened your business. As you know you've done so much for Pip and me — not to mention helping to turn the Alberta neighborhood around. You guys rock!!!

Susan & Pip

We are very thankful we took your class and we really are working with him every day. He walks so good on a leash now (except of course when there is a cat, dog, or person!) no seriously, we are so thrilled with his progress. Last night I had the best jog with him in forever. He's becoming the perfect dog I wanted him to be.

We will definitely repeat the class in a few months once we've made it most of the way through the book.

Well thanks for everything and we'll be in touch after the New Year to register for round 2! Maybe by then you'll have your new space!

Cheers!
Kate & Marty

I've been doing everything you said... taking Honk to run on the beach on a 50 ft rope, exercising him like crazy (he's only good for about 15 minutes of chasing balls and then he gets tired and stops), and doing a lot of eye contact work, etc. It's really working! I'm very impressed with the whole thing.

Terri Mandell Campfield
Phone consult client from Alabama

"Thanks for an enlightening orientation last night! Matt and I are really excited about the next few weeks! Thanks again!"

Michelle Birchard

"You trainer extraordinaire, I would like you to know that after Shone scared the ever living *#&^@! out of me at the park last night by running full bore toward the street; we went straight home and practiced come in the front yard with the 30 ft lead. If it hasn't occurred to you yet, that was all because of you girlfriend. If it hadn't been for all of your great education and training, I probably would have just gotten angry with him and chucked him in the kennel at home. Instead, I backed up to being on his program — putting the lead back on and working with him. Tonight he gets to wear the lead at the park — could be eventful. God bless food motivated dogs."

Laura Liedtke

"Ozzy's owner is raving about you. She was so impressed that she is taking her Hubby to the next training session. She had a big smile the whole time she was talking about you. Thanks, my friend."

Brenda from "Happy Puppy Park" in Vancouver

"Hi Gina,
The crate behind the chair is working out great. We had talked about getting another crate for Brittany, but never thought about putting it behind the chair. She is also coming back much better now. The thing that we have changed most is our attitude towards her. When we called you, we were at peak frustration - it had been building for quite some time. You reminded us of the attitude we need to have with her....a more positive attitude than we had been having in the recent past.

"Things are much better with us now. Thank you for your help. Honestly, Jenny and I were the ones who needed to change and we couldn't have made it without you.

Thanks!!"

Scott Ogren, Ogren Engineering, LLC

"Thanks for all the help with Wanda! The classes were terrific and perhaps we will take another basic in a couple of months to refresh, or bring our other dog Darla for course 2. Our house is currently under remodel, but once we finish in mid-winter we should have some additional time to devote to our little doggies. Darla is 5 yrs old and can sit, stay, and lie down reliably with verbal commands. She loves the eye contact game and would totally win any stare-down competition. She likes to please more than Wanda, so she would be likely to enjoy class.

"Thanks again and we hope to see you again soon!"

Tammy & Eric

"I attended a class with my formerly abused rescue dog, who LOVED getting all of the positive attention and was EAGER to learn. This is a great way for people and dogs to learn in a new way and find joy and success, I highly recommend 'UnLeash yourself'."

Ute Luppertz

"We were thoroughly impressed with the new information and instruction that we received in the class. Your personal attention to Peri and our needs was truly a gift. We are continuing to work on the Third Way strategies and Peri is doing great with her skills. You have been very generous with your time, but we really don't want to ask for more of it. Thank you for your hard work, energy, and fun teaching style! We learned so much. Hope to see you again soon!"

Moe, Kris, and Peri

"... I wanted to tell you that I sent a friend of mine to you. She purchased a boxer pup from me, Halee the little fawn female with/black mask. She's such a sweet pup. I wanted to tell you that Halee and her Mom seem to be thrilled about finding you. Thanks for seeing them and helping them along their journey!" Take care

Lisa Worth, A mommy of boxers!

"Thanks for everything! I found your class amazingly helpful and I love The Third Way of training. Maybe after the first of the year, I can get Ozzy in for some playtime. Thanks again!"--Chris & Ozzy "Sadie is doing great!!! She is so smart! She is getting the hang of things, including waiting at the back door for her paws to be cleaned, calming down about the plethora of flying squirrels around our house, and she knows if she barks she is going to the crate or coming inside from the backyard. Sometimes, I think she thinks the trade off is worth it. She is a gem. We need to take the second class to get even better!"

Sandy & Sadie

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