Here are a few comments that dog owners have to make about Jo, the Standish Dog Trainer…

Cathy & Dave, Hindley (May 2011):

“Jo Pay is fantastic! Her excellent skills and approachable manner are second to none. She left us after each visit feeling confident that we could carry out the training she had taught us with our 2 dogs and that it WOULD work We had a number of 1 to 1 visits to our home and have attended Jo’s training classes also. My husband and I always leave each session full of enthusiasm and great ideas of things we can try with our dogs. Jo has opened up a whole new world of training and rewarding play and she always has something new and different to try. She has a bubbly personality and always makes you feel much more than a valued client but like part of something very special.”

Steve, Adlington (March 2011):

“A very good course.”

Gillian & Ron, Cheshire (Feb 2011):

“Jo is a very knowledgeable & professional trainer – she has helped us tremendously with our Cairn terrier. She even advised us about his food, which we have actioned – not only that, we passed on her advise to a friend with a dog who was suffering fits – they also changed his food & their dog hasn’t had a fit since.”

Sara, Whittle – le – Woods (Feb 2011):

“I can’t recommend Jo highly enough. We started out with 2 dogs and despite immense effort from Jo and us, their behavioural issues meant that we were unable to keep them. When we brought another dog into our family we still had some difficulties but Jo supported us both inside the class and out. She trained us in the right techniques so that we could train our dog. She was always at the end of the phone for advice (and I rang an awful lot!), and also via email. Jo clearly is an expert in her field……this has come to fruition today when, finally, our dog seems to have turned a corner. We do not, in any way, underestimate how much this is as a direct result of Jo’s help and support.”

Stacy, Adlington (Jan 2011):

“My trainer Jo Pay was wonderful! She explained everything i needed to know about my puppy’s behaviour, she was very friendly and extremely helpful…our home life is a much calmer and happier place since we started using the positively training. Many thanks!!”

Cairi & Yvonne, Southport (Dec 2010):

“Jo was very effective from the minute she came into contact with the dogs in that she demonstrated from the start how to positively enter the dogs space. She demonstrated during the training the watch me and explained clearly the settle training. Handouts were very useful and since the training we have been encouraged to keep in touch with Jo which is very reassuring.”

Jackie with Reg Irish Terrier (March 2009):

“My recall worked perfect first time, I could have cried I was so proud of him! Thank you for all your help!

“He has been brill and last sat I took him to the local woods with a friend (and her basset) and let him off the lead for 2 hours with other dogs (woo hoo I hear ya cry!). The best bit is…my recall worked perfect first time-he just looked at me and came running, I could have cried I was so proud of him! Other doggie people asked how I had taught him that at 10 months…so be warned I’ve told tons of people about you!

“Please, again let me know if you ever do an advance class, Reg really loved coming, he is fab on the lead, even Wayne the hubby has said how good he is over the fields etc.

“So again thank you for all your help!!”

Beth, Phil and Indi.T.Dog with Husky x Retriever (March 2009):

“I wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed the last six weeks despite looking like I was asleep most of the time! Beth says this is the third time she has been to dog training (not with me I hasten to add) and this by far was the best one – she was dreading another round of cramped village halls full of badly behaved doggies and even worse behaved humans – so it was a big relief on that first Saturday morning to find that fun was the order of the day, and that the humans were taught to actually care for their doggie friends rather than just make them walk to heel, the Doggy Oil Change session was particularly handy and would have come in very useful with my predecessor apparently who bit anyone with a brush! And Phil – as a first time dog owner – says he feels a lot more confident in teaching me stuff and has realised that I am not as bad at things as he thought I was – so thanks for that!”

Eleanor & Archie Mini Schnauzer (March 2009):

“Just wanted to say a big thank you for helping Archie and me.

“Just wanted to say a big thank you for helping Archie and me. I think Archie had it all the time – it was me needing a framework to work to. He’s coming on a treat. We’ve just had a fab weekend away walking in the Dales. Archie was very well behaved in the hotel – to the point that the owner commended us when we left! How proud am I? Thanks!”

Tony & Denise with Rough Collie Finlay (May 2008):

“Problem Pooch to Show Stunner in just 5 weeks!!

“We are the proud owners of a 2 year old Rough Collie who, due to the fact that he had been twice attacked by another dog whilst out for a walk, naturally developed a distrust of others dogs, which meant he “warned them off” whenever he saw them. Whilst this was tolerable for a pet, for a dog that we wanted to put in the show ring it was a nightmare.

“Just 5 weeks after meeting Jo, having followed her advice and attended her Saturday morning class, we took him to his first show.

“The result was unbelievable. He was not only well behaved, but won every one of the four classes that he was entered into, and qualified for Crufts to boot! An unprecedented performance. Only once before had the judge awarded four first places to the same dog, and that was back in 1985!

“We were stunned and can’t thank Jo and Sarah enough for their advice and their patient, reward based approach.”

Bella the Boxer (May 2008):

“Hi Jo, I would like to thank you for teaching my owners how to look after me, I have been with them just 3 months now (As I am only 5 months old). To be honest when they first got me they did not have a clue but with your help we have sorted them out. They learned that if they blow a whistle I will run to them and they give me a really good treat (how good is that) and if I save my Ps & poos til the morning and do it outside they give me another treat. So Thank You for all the help you have given them from Bella Boxer.”

Phil with Sidney Jack Russell Terrier (May 2008):

“Thank you for everything. You have transformed Sid, he’s a totally different dog. Your classes are brilliant!”

Lennie with Sue & Marion (October 2007):

“Just a quick message to let you know that we can now hoover, brush and mop! Thanks for your help.

“Lennie picked all of this up very quickly. He will sit and tolerate being brushed, as long as biscuits are in evidence. He now looks tidy before he shakes again and looks like a little urchin.”

Patricia with Annie Border Collie & Gracie Springer (October 2007):

“Jo was friendly and reassuring to both dogs and owners! Jo obviously knows her stuff and her input has already made a big difference. We would highly recommend her and thank her for her help.

“Jo was flexible with arranging visits. She assessed the individual needs of two very different rescue dogs. She offered solutions and ways of working that were practical and gave us confidence in dealing with long term problems. She was non-judgemental with us and non-threatening towards the dogs.”

Angela with Trixie Border X Patterdale (October 2007):

“Jo helped us after our vet told us we needed to have our dog put down because of her extremely aggressive and uncontrollable nature. Jo’s teaching was first class and I can’t thank her enough for her help and guidance. I’m certain that without this, Trixie would not be with us today.

“After a few one to one sessions, Trixie’s behaviour turned around dramatically. As with all problem dogs, we were part of the problem, and by altering our behaviour, hers altered too. After these one to one sessions, she was finally ready to go to Jo’s group classes, which we’d previously tried to attend but Trixie was so aggressive we felt it was unfair on the other people and dogs so left. This time though she was like a new dog, she say quietly and played with the other dogs nicely. She was even allowed off the lead, which in the first lot of classes would have been too dangerous. We still have to be careful with her, and she is by no means perfect, but we can now manage her behaviour.”

Martin & Labrador Mollie:

“Jo is clearly very knowledgeable regarding training methods and is extremely enthusiastic and committed. We would not hesitate to recommend Standish Dog Trainer to any dog owner.

“My dog Mollie, was very nervous and timid in unfamiliar company but after only a couple of sessions she was visibly growing in confidence and in her ability to complete the tasks required. Classes were well organised and had clear objectives. Very quickly Jo was able to become familiar with each animal and showed genuine affection and interest in them.”

Becky & Cocker Spaniel Albus:

“I thought you would like to know how much we enjoyed the time spent in your classes, keep up the good work.

“I did not get a chance to thank you for all you have done over the last 12 weeks. You do a job where you praise the dogs, but never you! You have had to suffer my spoiled brat and never grimaced once! So I though you would like to know how much we enjoyed the time spent in your classes!”

Mark, Elaine, Josh & Zephyr Bull Terrier:

“Just a quick note to say thanks for your help in training our English Bull Terrier. We have seen a definite improvement in his overall obedience. The training has been both beneficial and enjoyable.

“The use of your positive reinforcement training is probably the only thing that would have worked on him. We are more comfortable walking on his lead, his recall training has worked. He will also “sit” and “down” on command. We look forward to joining the next class and introducing Zephyr to more doggy friends.”

Janet & Hector King Charles Cavalier Spaniel:

“Where has my noisy, yapping, pulling on the lead dog gone? He is a changed boy already. Thanks ever so much – really pleased. God Bless you Joanne – you are a saint!”