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Testimonials
Prior to attending our first class with Angie, my 1 year old Aussie and I had participated in obedience classes with another trainer where she had received excellent training and we had established a good foundation for her to grow on. What first appealed to me about Angie’s class was the title – “K9 Language and Leadership” After reading the description of the class I knew this would be something that would benefit both myself and my dog. Her class really added to the knowledge I had gained in earlier training and introduced me to the importance of understanding how body language influences your dog and their responses. We have taken both Angie’s Basic and Advanced K9 Language and Leadership classes and I cannot tell you how much these classes have added to my awareness of my emotional state and body language and how my dog responds to me. She was excellent at providing individual feedback as well and making suggestions to improve your working relationship with your dog and always did so in a constructive and positive manner. She never made you feel like you were doing something wrong. Another area that Angie has been a huge asset for me is helping with my dog and her leash aggression. Unfortunately my Aussie has had 3 negative experiences with other dogs – her first one being at 4 months old when another dog bit her and broke open her eyelid. She seemed to recover from this event but after the 2nd attack at a dog park I started to worry that she had been scared by these events and had noticed that her behavior had changed in certain environments. I discussed this with Angie and she suggested BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) Training and agreed to work with us. We have had two sessions to date and in the first session Angie noticed right away a signal my Aussie was displaying that I never gave any thought to. Now after just two sessions Angie has taught me so much and it has really helped me to ensure that I set my Aussie up for success when we are out for a walk. By no means are we done with training but Angie has been instrumental in helping us work through her anxiety. Angie is fantastic to work with and I would highly recommend any one of her classes and if you are in need of assistance to help with a reactive dog she is the one to work with. She really has a passion for what she does and it shines through in her training.
Elizabeth Duncan
February 2012
Muse, Melody and I love Nose work with Angie! Muse is a 2-year-old deaf/blind Great Dane. She loves doing Nosework. I was looking for an activity that would help Muse develop her sense of smell. Since we started I’ve noticed Muse gaining greater confidence. Muse is now learning odor and doing fantastic. Nosework gives her a challenge and lets her use her strongest sense in a positive and fun way.
Melody is an 18-month-old Great Dane and Muse’s housemate. Melody enjoys nosework tremendously. It has given her a constructive way to use her mind and burn off some of her puppy energy. Since beginning nosework with Melody I’ve noticed that she is less destructive and more focused. I love having an activity that we can do that engages her mind.
Delores, Muse and Melody
Loki is my 9-month-old Great Dane pup. Great Dane pups have enormous bodies powered by puppy brains. Angie helped me learn to work with Loki to overcome some of his bad puppy behavior, setting us up for a lifetime of working together as a team. Angie stresses the human/canine interaction by teaching her students to work as a team. Even though I’ve been through Angie’s obedience class with another one of my dogs, I always learn something new from Angie. She showed me how to connect with Loki and how to be a good leader. Thanks Angie!
Delores and Loki
I have had dogs most of my life, and have done the "basic"
training myself. Usually that would last for a little while, but
there were always issues that would pop up- especially the fact that
I was NEVER successful in training the "come, down or stay"
commands. This all changed for me when I brought a chocolate lab/german
shepherd mix named Kassie into my life and found that I was totally
out of my league with training! I called Angie and she came to my
house and did an initial assessment. Kassie was an Alpha dog-go
figure! Angie caters her training to each individual dog-it is not
one size fits all. She is patient, firm and kind and she explains to
us (usually the ones that are being trained!) the meaning behind so
much of what needs to be done. She is a great person and a great
trainer. I still call her with questions that might pop up and she
always has time to talk to me an answer my question. Kassie
graduated her class and became a canine good citizen. I trust her
and can take her anywhere, on or off lead. I know that this would
not have been the case without Angie's guidance and teaching. I
confidently recommend Angie to anyone I know who is looking for a
trainer or who has a problem dog. She is wonderful!
- Amberlee McCloud
I took my dog, Dillon to Angie's obedience class. Due to the
excellent foundation he got there, Dillon is now a registered
therapy dog.
- Jennifer Good
- Rebecca Stimson
Angie Falcsik began assisting at my dog obedience classes in
2000. She had a natural way with dogs. She took to dog training very
quickly and showed a true affection for dogs. She was a quick study
and I certified her in 2003 as a trainer. Angie was especially good
at evaluating dogs problems.
She branched out in 2003 to train on her own. She has learned a
great deal since first coming to me in 2000, including understanding
that each dog has its own unique way of learning and being able to
identify what that is. Angie has continued to train dogs using the
methods she learned while assisting me. She lets a dog's temperament
and body language help her determine the best way to get the most
out of a dog and the owners relationship.
Angie and I remain in contact with each other, and I am always at
her disposal to discuss whatever challenges that may present
themselves when she is training.
- Hector L. Hernandez, First Class Dog Training
My husband and I adopted a 2 year old Doberman from a shelter
with little knowledge of his background. He was a handful and
obviously not trained. Within minutes, he responded to Angie's
training methods. It was not long before she had taken a wild,
rambunctious animal and turned him into a calm, obedient dog. He is
now obedient, graceful and well behaved, a true pleasure to walk! We
are so proud of his obedience and Angie's super natural abilities to
train any dog - and people! Not only did our dog learn from her
guidance and training, but my husband and I learned as well. We are
truly impressed with her skills!
- Erin R.
I fostered a Shelter dog who came to me because he was skittish
and timid. I saw Angie's Intro to Scent Class and how scenting is
particularly good for just this type of dog. Pistol Pete, my foster,
and I had no idea what to expect and were blown away by how fun it
was. Pistol Pete's tail never stopped wagging - he was a whole new
confident dog during the exercises/games. It also helped a bit with
his separation anxiety. At first, he would worry when he had to wait
in a different room for his turn. By the third class, he knew the
temporary separation meant only good things. It is also a great
class for handlers to learn new skills in leash handling.
- Susan Steinke
Angie clearly is skilled and passionate about the human animal
bond as that is the foundation of her classes. She uses progressive
tools and techniques and when needed goes beyond the call of duty by
researching or consulting with others to find a way to improve any
behavior situation. Rocky LOVED the scent classes especially since
he gets bored with standard obedience type experiences. Shamu
enjoyed a weekend seminar as well despite being a puppy head. Angie
also extends her training to shelter animals at the Ingham County
Animal Control. We learned so much and look forward to more!
- Maria VandenBoom
I was not sure what to expect with this class. I was apprehensive
about bringing my dog to an advanced class after just having gone
through obedience training - but with Angie’s tutelage, he did
wonderfully - this class was an absolute blast! I’m not sure who had
more fun - me or my dog. I can say this - it certainly was
entertaining and great enrichment for my dog. I am so pleased to
have participated in this class and have taken away from it
something new and entertaining that both of us will continue to use
in the future. I highly recommend taking your dog to this class -
even if your dog doesn’t prove to be a "tracker" - it is a lot of
fun and good stimulation for your dog. I can’t stop telling everyone
about it!!!
- Erin Riggs
My hound mix Bella and I took Angie’s Track and Trail class held
at Woldumar this summer, and we both learned a lot! Angie really
understands dogs and knows how to pace a class so everyone gets what
they need. She saw right away that Bella had some natural talent and
adapted the exercises to challenge her. In just a couple of hours,
we had a new activity Bella and I could do together. All it takes is
some clothes that smell like you, a long line, and some special toy
or treats. We are excited about our next Track and Trail adventures
with Angie!
- Becky Stimson
Attending Angie’s class with my female Springer Spaniel pup
taught me how to show her I was in charge, not her. My Springer is
adorable and affectionate but loves being in control which played
havoc in our household. Angie taught me leadership skills so that I
would have an obedient and confident dog. Putting into practice what
I learned through her class and in-home training has resulted in a
dog I am able to walk thru a park off leash, a dog who watches to
see what I want her to do, and a dog who everyone enjoys being
around. I look forward to taking additional classes from Angie, as
I’ve found that keeping my dog challenged with new activities/skills
increases her good behavior.
- LuAnn Camp
I entered the two day workshop with my 14 month old pitbull Fiona
and the question everybody asks me is "What could you possibly learn
in two days?" We’ve walked our neighborhood for months and although
she listened well to me there was always an air of "I’m just here
dragging you around or you’re dragging me around and hopefully after
some of this crazy fighting of the leash we might arrive someplace
fun." After Angie’s class I notice that Fiona’s eyes are glued to
me, waiting for my direction and now each stroll we take around the
block could be considered the fun part. Our class had four
participants and Angie has an uncanny knack for honing in on each
handlers weaknesses while at the same time commending them on their
strengths so as to not discourage them. I’ve attended several
obedience classes in the past and discovered how sensitive some
people can be to certain criticisms. When a dog owner isn’t willing
to listen and accept that "sometimes we are reason our dogs are so
unruly" it’s sad when those people drag their dogs away never to
return to the class. Angie doesn’t make you feel that way at all and
I was glad that she took hold of Fiona and walked her around for a
moment and experienced the powerful strength my girl was exhibiting.
Changing to a different collar made a world of difference and
although I’ve used this collar in the past it never occurred to me
to use it with Fiona. So what could you possibly learn in two days?
It would seem... LOTS!! Even things you already knew. She subtly
tweaked things you were doing, that for some reason or another
weren’t quite working for you and after incorporating those changes
I know Fiona walked away feeling pretty proud of herself. I felt an
equal amount of the class time was spent on each participant and I
personally gained a great deal of knowledge listening to her
instructing the others.
- Shawn and Fiona the Pip Monster