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THE HONOR ROLL
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OWNER OF THE MONTH
Tonya and Oliver
When people see a well trained dog, they often don't realize how much work, patience, and dedication happens behind the scenes. That's exactly why Tonya is our Owner of the Month.
Oliver is a classic Border Collie. He's smart, active, curious, and always thinking. He likes having a job to do and can be a bit of a control freak at times, which is pretty typical for the breed. He's incredibly loyal to his people, highly observant, and always aware of what's happening around him.
Oliver grew up with a cat sibling rather than other dogs, so learning to navigate the dog world hasn't always come naturally. While he has always done well around other dogs when his space is respected, our E Collar classes helped us discover that he was much more wary of unfamiliar dogs than we originally thought. That uncertainty made Tonya nervous because she never wanted him to feel uncomfortable or make a poor decision around another dog.
Instead of avoiding those challenges, she faced them head on.
Tonya completed E Collar 101, Unleashed Potential, and then chose to repeat Unleashed Potential because she knew there was still more growth to be had. Not because Oliver couldn't do it, but because she wanted to continue building confidence, reliability, and trust. That kind of dedication is what makes great dog owners stand out.
One of my favorite moments happened during Oliver's repeated Unleashed Potential class. Tonya wasn't quite convinced he was ready to work off leash around the other dogs. Trainer lady had a different idea. I unclipped the leash, looked at her, and said, "Trust your dog."
And she did.
Oliver worked completely off leash around the other dogs and showed everyone just how far he had come. More importantly, he showed Tonya just how capable he really was.
The biggest transformation wasn't just in Oliver. It was in the trust that developed between dog and owner.
Tonya has consistently shown up, put in the work, asked questions, practiced at home, and continued to believe in Oliver even when things felt uncertain. Because of that commitment, Oliver has become a more confident dog, and together they have become an incredible team.
Thank you, Tonya, for trusting the process, trusting your dog, trusting me, and giving Oliver every opportunity to be successful.
Congratulations Tonya and Oliver!
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH
Rosie
Meet Rosie, a 3 year old Pit Bull mix with the sweetest personality and an amazing mom who gave her a second chance through adoption.
When Rosie first started Foundations First, she was incredibly timid. She would come into class with her belly practically touching the floor, unsure of the new environment and people around her. But after just a couple of classes, everything started to change. By her second class, Rosie was walking in happy, eager to learn, and ready to work. Being extremely food motivated definitely helped, but her growing confidence was the real star of the show.
Rosie became so comfortable that her mom could often drop the leash, and Rosie would happily follow me right into class. While she's still a bit of a wild child at home, that's all part of her charm! The next step for this duo is E Collar 101 so Rosie can safely enjoy more freedom on their farm.
I am so proud of how far these two have come together. Watching Rosie gain confidence week after week has been incredible, and I can't wait to see what they accomplish next.
JUNIOR OF THE MONTH
Ares
Meet Ares, a 2 year old Great Dane/Mastiff mix who has come such a long way!
When I first met Ares, his owner reached out about doing one-on-one training because he was struggling with confidence and having a difficult time during vet visits. We started working on getting him out into the world, building his confidence, and helping him feel more comfortable in new situations.
Since then, Ares has become quite the frequent flyer around here! His most recent accomplishment was graduating from our Be Brave class, and he absolutely crushed it. Things we never thought he'd be comfortable doing, like going through the small tunnel, quickly became some of his favorite activities. It was so much fun watching him gain confidence and truly enjoy himself.
His owners have been right by his side every step of the way, showing up, putting in the work, and continuing to help him grow into the best version of himself. I am so proud of this family for their dedication to Ares and everything they have accomplished together.
SENIOR OF THE MONTH
Murphy
Meet Murphy, a 2 year old American Bully who keeps us all laughing in class! He has such a goofy personality and always knows how to put a smile on everyone's face.
Murphy has completed so many classes that I honestly can't keep track anymore! His owners have been incredibly dedicated to his training journey, and it shows. Over time, Murphy has become a very well-rounded dog who can handle so many different situations with confidence.
Like many dogs, Murphy still has a few triggers he's working through, but that hasn't stopped his owners from continuing to put in the work. They regularly take him to dog-friendly places, keep up with his training, and give him plenty of opportunities to practice his skills in the real world.
I am so proud of Murphy and his family for their commitment and consistency. Their hard work is paying off, and it's been amazing watching Murphy continue to grow and succeed. Keep up the great work, Team Murphy!
Honor Roll Pups Wanted!
Is your dog top of the class? Whether they’ve mastered their manners, made big training strides, or just consistently show up as a very good dog, we want to celebrate them! Nominate your pup for Honor Roll recognition and let them take their well-earned place among the best of the best.