"Kayla is a four-year-old shepherd mix adopted from a Toronto animal shelter through a rescue group called Adopt-A-Dog/Save-A-Life.

At the time of her adoption she was just under a year and in such poor medical condition she could not be placed in regular adoption rooms. It was obvious she had recently had a litter and that her puppies had been taken away from her far too early. Three years later she is double her weight and is in excellent health. She was also spayed as soon as her health would permit.

When we adopted Kayla she had no social or house skills. She housetrained very quickly and responded well to routines. This was the easy part! We realized we had far greater problems!

Kayla was very nervous of strangers, other dogs, and very unpredictable. Penny, from K9 Solutions was recommended to us and came to visit our home. The skills we learned through our training with Penny have helped us to understand Kayla and to develop strategies that make us feel more comfortable. We know Kayla suffered abuse in her former home but Penny stressed it was in the past and we had to learn how to help Kayla now and in the future. Penny instinctively knew that Kayla would never be perfect but deserved the chance to be in a loving home. We have two other dogs that Kayla loves to play with and we could not ask for a more loving companion. It is amazing the roles that patience and positive reinforcement play in training your pet.

Our training with K9 Solutions was over two years ago. Kayla had not seen Penny during this time. When we met at a park recently, Kayla immediately went up to Penny and greeted her in a friendly way. She remembered her and we were thrilled to see her feel that secure, especially in a strange environment. The training was well worth it and we commend Penny for her kind, but positive manner in our training sessions.

Every pet deserves a chance! A little training (with a trainer like Penny) and lots of love go a long way!"

-Bob & Liz Hendershot

"Ask anyone from the general public for their perception of black labs, and I imagine the vast majority of people would use such terms as loyal, dependable, adorable. My male black lab puppy, who had just turned 3 months, was better described as willful and domineering, and already managed to earn the nickname 'Norman Bates'. I refused to give up on him, but (for my sanity and his well-being) we were in desperate need of help.

My first phone call to K9 Solutions was made in a state of near-panic, but from the get-go, I knew instinctively that Penny Buckner-Eng could offer the help we needed. The private, at home lessons were constructively built around a graduated system of behavior modification (mine and his), and the results were undeniable. Slowly, my puppy and I have learned to define our relationship with me as the master, and the rewards are that I now have the type of bond with my dog that underscores why I wanted, and got, a dog in the first place.

My lab is never going to be an angel, but his devilish days are becoming less frequent due both to his growing up and equally, with the daily training we do together based on our sessions with Penny Buckner-Eng. I, for one, am a grateful patron of K9 Solutions and have willingly recommended Ms. Buckner to anyone who is equally in need of help with their domineering dog."

-Dr. Alison Meek, University of Toronto

"Thanks so very much for teaching me how to respond and react to my big, beautiful Hooch! He was experiencing some "protective" aggression, lunging on leash, and grumbling toward the occasional dog, and some people in specific situations. Penny came at first, with one of her female dogs, and showed me how to hone Hooch's focus on to me. After a couple of sessions, she introduced her big male, (Hooch is a male also), and we worked on focus some more. I am new to training a puppy from scratch, although we also have a wonderful 12 year old Shepherd. He came to me with my fiance, and was already quite mellow. Hooch is a very intelligent, spirited and inquisitive dog of size. I unfortunately found a degree of apprehension at one of the local dog training schools from the instructors. I am grateful for finding K9 Solutions, and Penny, to feel comfortable and confident working with my giant boy! In knowing how to "read" my dog, and applying the appropriate corrections, I have gained immense confidence in handling him in most situations. Thanks from Hooch and his 'newbie' mum."

-Virginia Storey and Hooch

"I have a two year old dog named Nori. He's a Pittbull/Bull Mastiff cross. He's a great dog, intelligent and well behaved, but he lacks the instinct to bark. He does not guard our property or home, anyone can walk in and be greeted by Nori. I am a twenty-one year old woman, and I have had Nori since he was two months old.

I was walking the dog through a park by my house. The park is very large and secluded. I was approached by about fifteen guys who were playing tennis, asking for my phone number and whistling. I was worried because they started to follow me, and there was no one else around. At the time, Nori was busy eating grass while off his leash. Luckily nothing became of it, except the realization that I needed to have Nori trained to guard me.

The training for Nori included: barking on command at a threatening person, making him attentive to noises around him as well as to people, teaching him how to bite and hold. The training took place in my backyard and the park where we often walk.

The difference in Nori is incredible. I feel safe walking him, and I now know more about my dog's disposition, his innate drives, and what I can expect from him. He pays attention to strangers who approach me or my home, and I know he will put on a show of barking or growling on command. And yet Nori is still as gentle and good-natured as he was, and is not aggressive or dangerous. What I like best about how he was trained is that I can still totally trust him around children, new guests in my home, or off his leash walking through the park. Penny and Marvin were very professional, knowledgeable and made me comfortable to ask questions and make suggestions throughout the months we worked together.

Penny and Marvin ensured that the training was based on what I wanted to get out of Nori, and that I, not the dog, decide who or what is a threat. Therefore, I am in complete control of my dog at all times. A dog is an investment of time and money, but the training is an investment in the dog so that I know that he will protect me, and how he will protect me.

Thanks to you both for doing such a great job with Nori!"

-Jennifer Lementi

Our experience with Paul and K9 Solutions was everything I had hoped for and more. Paul went beyond the call of duty taking care and training my 1.5 year old Viszla, Hudson. Paul is truly a dedicated professional who I would recommend to anyone.

- Bryan Pignatelli

Courtney & Karma

When I contacted K9 Solutions I was at my wit's end! A first-time dog owner, I had rescued my German Shepherd/Husky at 6 mths old. Little did I know that by this time, Karma, while beautiful and very loving towards people, had already developed a very strong, alpha personality. Karma pulled on lead until my arms were sore, was aggressive with other dogs, refused to leave the doggy park due to dog aggression, I knew I needed someone special to help us.

Penny's natural touch with dogs was evident from the first moment she met Karma. I immediately saw the difference in my dog's behaviour by simply responding to her confident presence. Penny took Karma for a 4 week board and training program in her home and kept in touch with me the entire time teaching me how to build my own alpha personality and how to properly relate to my pet.

The results were amazing. Immediately upon returning home, Karma walked perfectly on lead, even sitting patiently to let people pass us by on the street. Unbelievable! Karma is attentive and listens when I ask her to do something. She came home crate trained, housebroken and generally calmer and easier to handle. Training suddenly became an activity we both looked forward to!

Today, Karma is doing fantastic! She has become a wonderfully well-behaved pet & my best friend. She is often welcomed into shops because she is so well behaved! She still has her high-energy and spirited personality, which I love, bu now she respects boundaries, listens and responds.

Most recently, Karma has begun going into her crate on her own when she has a nap after a long day in the park or when she just wants some quiet time hanging out in her "room". Our relationship dramatically improved because of K9 Solutions' training and I cannot thank them enough for helping us. I would highly recommend K9 Solutions for your precious pet

- Courtney McNamara