Testimonials

Susie,
You have been valuable not only as a dog trainer but as a dog interpreter and a human psychologist. Your communication skills, passion for animals and expertise in your craft leaves us in awe.  We can not wait to start our next session of classes.

Holly Haynes Clark and Lucas
Haynes Designs
3/31/05

My experience with Susie Aga has been wonderfully upbeat. Her technique focuses on positive re-enforcement and gentle handling techniques. Susie works with you and helps you learn how to shape a desired behavior and more importantly teaches you to watch for the cues the dog gives you so you both can succeed at training. I've attended numerous dog training classes and this was the first one that incorporated "fun" and obedience.

Karen Miller, Nestle and Louie, Alpharetta, GA

I just wanted to let you know what a great experience Ulla and I had taking Susie’s agility training! I was running out of ways to keep Ulla occupied and the combination of both physical and mental stimulation was just the trick. Your class helped me learn how to focus Ulla’s attention on the task-at-hand and this has extended far beyond the agility course! I see her being more attentive to me and her desire to carry out commands has increase immensely.

Liz Orcutt and Ulla, Roswell, GA

My dog Whiskey and I enrolled in Susie's agility class last summer and had great fun. Whiskey really responded well to the challenge of the course and quickly learned some complex feats, such as jumping through a tire and walking a plank. She loved attending the classes and it was not only a great form of exercise but mentally stimulating for her.

To give you an idea how much she learned, I recently took her into the agility course after a 6-month absence and she immediately ran the entire circuit without missing one obstacle. I was amazed and she was clearly pleased with herself.

I wholeheartedly recommend Susie's agility course to anyone who may be looking for a great way to exercise and mentally stimulate their dog.

Yours very truly,
Paul Dopp and Whiskey, Roswell, Georgia

Enrolling my dog, Ki, in that could have happened to Ki. He has continuously improved from class one to class seven. The methods taught by Susie have worked extremely well and I am extremely pleased with the whole process, it was worth every penny. Not only is she very good with the dogs, but she handles us humans very well. She is very accommodating to scheduling conflicts and worked with me on several occasions when I could not make it to class. I know Ki will be enrolled in the more advanced classes in the near future. Thanks for all your help!!!!

Enrique Susemihl and Ki, Roswell, Georgia

Over the last 30 years, I have trained four wonderful dogs with various trainers. Each had their own style but, they basically used the same techniques.

I started basic obedience training with Susie Aga and my three year old Border collie in February 2005. Susie's techniques were very different and refreshing from other trainers. She teaches you about a dog's basic instincts and behaviors. By understanding how they think, it is easier to get the desired obedience results. Understanding why they respond as they do helps you adjust your behavior. Her emphasis is on timing and consistency. That has improved my ability to work with him and give him the consistency he needs. It has enabled me to correct unwanted behavior immediately and keep him on the right path. She has taught me new ways to encourage him as well. There is no problem we can't handle with her guidance.

Banjo is a different dog now. He was frightened and abused when we rescued him 5 months ago. He has become a happier and much more outgoing dog. He enjoys the attention and socialization he gets. We all now understand our boundaries and our place in the pack. He responded so well to basic training that we enrolled in intermediate training.

Of all the trainers I have used, Susie is by far the best. Her professionalism and enthusiasm is outstanding. It's contagious!

Susan Brigati and Banjo, Woodstock, Georgia

Dear Susie.

Matilda (my pooch) & I would both like to thank you for your kindness, your patience and your generosity. Having been associated with a Rescue group for quite some time now, I can certainly appreciate your level of expertise! Although Matilda and I both attended your class, I feel as though I have benefited the most! Understanding the importance of maintaining my "Alpha" role in our two dog, two cat household has been unbelievably beneficial to all of us. I also firmly believe, through my continued diligence, my dogs will lead a far "safer" existence simply because they have learned to respond to my commands.

And, because you yourself are living in a 4 RESCUE dog household, I know how sensitive you are to the plight of the "Rescues". I have given you such high praise among my peers, Susie.

Thanks for showing me how rich and fulfilling my relationship with my dogs can and should be and for helping me to understand what they're saying!

Most of all, it's very comforting to know that Matilda and I are both welcome to come back and visit you during one of your future classes if we ever feel the need to "bone" up a bit!

With all our love and heartfelt thanks,
Matilda & Sheila, Marietta

"Although our two dogs had been members of the park for six months, we were actually referred to Susie Aga through a friend who is very active with animal rescue groups. Our rescue mix, Wally, had unexpectedly begun to exhibit aggression toward people, and our friend said that Susie had the best reputation for working with aggressive dogs in the North Atlanta area. I then made the connection, that this was Atlanta Dog Trainer, affiliated with the dog park.

Susie's training methods are very effective. She is firm, but obviously loves the dogs. She is a big advocate for using exercise to minimize training problems, and I think that's excellent advice. Progress requires a lot of time doing 'homework' but the work pays off. Susie is very good with all the dogs and their owners. Her own border collies are 'model citizens' and usually present for the training sessions. Wally was a star student in obedience class, and

Susie is continuing to work with us on home-related territorial aggression issues. We've had discussions with another trainer in the Atlanta area, that we felt was overly harsh in his methods and approach to the dogs. Susie understands that as an owner, you already love the dog, and if the dog hurts, so does the owner.

Our Schipperke, Zoe, has also participated in agility training with Susie, and responded very well. We'll undoubtedly be enrolling Zoe in future agility classes to help harness some of her abundant energy!We definitely recommend her services to anyone looking for just obedience, agility, or help with more troubling issues."

Joan Ray
EVP, Elliot Associates, Alpharetta

If you are looking for a dog trainer, Susie Aga is it. Susie has a keen insight into your dog's personality which produces results, quickly.  But, the most important thing Susie brings to each training event is the ability to teach you how to teach and command your dog. She gives guidance, support, and goals that make each training event an experience that you won't forget. But most importantly, she helps you connect with your dog so that your life together is what everyone wishes for when they have a dog. I recommend and trust Susie Aga completely and recommend her as often as I have the chance.

Jeffrey Synk and Sadie, Woodstock, GA

We took Susie's basic training class with our first dog Leila when she was about six months old. This was our first experience with a dog and we were in desperate need of help with her behavior. The class taught us how to learn to be in control of our dog and gave us the skills to keep her attention. We learned that it was not all about teaching the dog how to perform certain tricks but training us as the owners consistency in how we react to our dog. It has been two years since our class and we have had excellent success with Leila. This gave us the confidence to adopt a second dog. We took Lucy through basic training and have had the same great results as the first time.

Since our basic training classes we have had Leila in the agility class and Lucy starting ongoing training. We have been really pleased with Susie's methods and will always rely on the skills she has taught us.

Chris, Addie Meeks and Lucy, Alpharetta

I decided to sign up my dog Annabelle for a beginner's obedience class in order to socialize her and to learn how to teach her basic commands. But both Annabelle and I came away with so much more. Not only is she calmer around new people and better trained, but she is a much more confident and happy dog and she has a great time training. Susie made the experience a wonderful one because she is very supportive of both dog and owner. I was a little intimidated about taking the class beforehand because I didn't know if I would be able to learn how to train Annabelle well, but Susie makes everything simple, fun, and is very encouraging.

I had such a wonderful experience with the obedience class that I decided to take Annabelle to Susie's agility class. This was an invaluable experience. This gave me the opportunity to solidify the skills Annabelle learned from obedience class, and she is even more comfortable around new dogs, new people, and new situations. She is an extremely active and lively dog, and agility became a wonderful place for her to be active, to learn, and to have fun.

Susie is such a kind, caring, and excellent trainer. She truly cares about the dogs and owners who come to her classes, and I would recommend her to anyone looking for a trainer. Enrolling Annabelle in Susie's classes was the best thing I could have done for her!

Thank you Susie!
Kerri Allen and Annabell, Woodstock

Dear Susie:

Thank you for making me feel at ease with the training with my chocolate lab Sadie. Your expertise is amazing, your own dogs are incredible. Sadie is a high spirited animal which I realize it will be another two years until realizing I'm the boss she's very loving and has come a long way with taking the beginner classes.  I look forward in working with you in the future. Can't wait to see you at the obstacle course.

See you soon, Once again Thanks!!!
Jodie Briordy and Sadie, Marietta GA

Susie's obedience class was great. Every week we covered new commands and techniques: Sit, shake, down, walk close, come, wait in the doorway, wait before exiting a car, a release command, drop it, being able to walk around the dog while it's sitting, sitting with distractions, and more. She also covers how and what your dog is thinking. You leave the class feeling like you have some control.

Homework is a must. This is a positive thing. I don't know what people expect from the dogs, but without constant reinforcement, there is chaos. I noticed immediate changes in Sydney. She enjoys the homework and I am continuing to practice a little of something everyday. Especially "drop it".

Susie stresses who is in control, to keep your dog exercised, and to keep your dog interested and happy. The techniques are very handy. I took the class very seriously, because without it I've got a 50+ pound bundle of energy running around the house.

Nothing could be more gratifying than having your dog obey you in front of your neighbors and get the compliments she deserves.

I have signed up for her intermediate class. How we found Atlanta Dog Trainer: my husband got a referral from someone at work and I read an article about her in the Atlanta Dog magazine I found at the vet. Her prices are very reasonable.

First time dog owners should be required to take a class. I had a dog for 12.5 years but needed this again for a puppy. You do forget the energy level and basic training needs of a puppy. Owners and dogs would get along much better. They would know what to expect and frustrations would be reduced.

Feel free to call me if you have any questions.
Patty Conard, Roswell GA

Dear Susie,

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how thrilled I am with Jean Claude’s progress after taking your beginning obedience class. Prior to taking your class, we had attended another trainer’s group Good Manners Class and also had several private in home lessons with yet another trainer Neither one of these programs were successful for us. Jean Claude continued to exhibit what I called “selective amnesia”. He new what he should do but opted not to do it. His alpha, dominant behavior was overwhelming.

You taught me how to become the alpha in the household and Jean Claude now responds beautifully. Just today I had several neighbors comment on how well behaved he was. Several dogs passed by and Jean Claude was tempted to lunge after them. I told him to sit and wait and he did not move a muscle.

Thank you again for the great instruction and insight into dog training. I am eagerly awaiting the start of your intermediate group class.

Sincerely,
Cindy Woolfolk, Alpharetta, GA

Maggie was a 4 month old miniature Australian Shepherd when she began Susie’s Basic Obedience training class. She was afraid of everything and everyone she encountered outside of our home making our walks with my older dog nearly unmanageable.

After our first week of class I wasn’t sure Maggie would be able to complete the training since she seemed so uncomfortable around the other dogs and their owners, but we stuck with it. Maggie’s personality opened up after the first two classes and she was excited to attend class on Sunday’s. I’m happy to say after completing the class Maggie will walk in front of me at the pet store and not hide behind my legs.

Last week I dropped Maggie’s retractable leash while on one of our walks and the sound scared her so much she began running down the street towards our house. My first instinct was to chase after her and try to grab the leash, but the more I chased her the faster she ran. I then remembered what Susie taught us, I stopped and started to back up and then and told Maggie to COME, she turned around and ran straight to me! Not many 6 month old puppies are that well trained!