Paws & People Training
What People are Saying!
I have known Nancy for years, meeting her through agility trials and
watching her with her dogs (and her kids). I was always impressed with
the connection she had with both when she interacted with them. So
even though I am not new to dog training I decided to seek out Nancy’s
expertise with some training this past year. It has been a connection I
am so very blessed to have made. She has helped me with a number of
my dogs and their training (or rather my training). In particular she
has been instrumental in my progress with my dog-fearful crested boy
learning freestyle, my people-fearful rescue boy that is learning to
trust, to my bouncy standard poodle puppy who I am trying to get started
out on the right paw to be able to train for a variety of activities
and just focus his puppy brain long enough to learn. Nancy has shown
me how to “think outside the box”, be more observant and have a much
closer bond with my dogs. I feel I have learned a great deal from her
yet still have a great deal MORE to learn.
- Sherry Rand, Helena Montana
We initially came to Nancy after our dog (8 months old at the time) began to show unwanted behavior towards strangers, especially men, and we didn’t know how this behavior came about and why. After meeting Nancy for the first time, we were relieved because we finally met a trainer who has the experience and knowledge with this type of situation. Nancy’s approach to helping our dog was very professional and enthusiastic. She always comes prepared, she has a great deal of patience, is very courteous, and always has the time to answer questions and meet with you anywhere. We have known Nancy for over a year now and our dog’s behavior has improved significantly. She has done a wonderful job and has educated us to make us better owners. The only regret we have is that we didn’t meet her sooner.
- Crystal, Ken, and our pup, Porter - Richmond, Washington
As a first time dog-owner, I had no clue what to do with my new yellow lab puppy, Lulu, so I immediately enrolled into Puppy 1 at Paws & People based on a recommendation of a friend. After that first 6 week class, Lulu had down the basic behaviors plus she was really good at rolling over. Immediately, we decided to take Puppy 2 which taught Lulu a great settle and "go to". Check out the video of Lulu at a little over 4 months old . We continued with a Ready, Set, Hike class and a Free Style for Fun class. Shortly after Lulu turned one, she passed the Canine Good Citizen class. We decided to take one more class on tricks when Lulu turned two. I can't thank Nancy and Prairie enough for training me on how to be a good dog owner. I couldn't be more proud of my dog and love all the compliments I get about Lulu being well-behaved and sweet.
-Susie Boyer & Lulu - Bozeman
As a first-time dog owner, I didn't have a clue what I was doing, so I contacted Nancy even before I picked out my puppy--and am I glad I did! Nancy was with me every step of Chervil's puppy and adult training, and Nancy helped us become a great team who can go anywhere together. Chervil is a well-trained, well-exercised, happy dog--because I had a trainer who helped me understand the commitment I was making and showed me how to be the best possible owner. Chervil and I both agree: Nancy is the BEST.
-Linda Karell & Chervil - Bozeman
Training my Maltese, Sophie was the most rewarding experience I've ever had with my dog. I learned so much from Nancy Tanner about being a good advocate for my dog and that I had to do the work to help Sophie be the best she could be. My goal for her was to be a "Therapy Dog", so I started training with her when she was 4 months old. I am so proud of her, she is now 29 months old and a member of Intermountain Therapy Animals here in Bozeman. Thank you Nancy for all you do.
-Sandy Watson & Sophie - Bozeman
I have a wonderful dog named Olive.
The first time I talked to Nancy Tanner I was worried that my dog was having problems. I had left an obedient loving friend at doggie-daycare and when I returned a week later I picked up a terrified nightmare that had lost 25 pounds. It was obvious something had happened. It took awhile but I finally got the story out of one of the employees; my dog had been attacked almost daily by another dog with little to no staff intervention. Previous to this happening my dog loved ALL other dogs. I would have never guessed a day would come when Olive would be afraid of other dogs. Her fear was scary. She didn’t want other dogs to approach her so she did her best to scare them away by becoming as fierce as she could. It did more than scare other dogs away, it scared the other dog’s owners, and it scared me. I started reading books and intervening in any and every way I learned about.
The second time I talked to Nancy Tanner I was distraught and in tears because I knew my dog was going to end up killing another dog. It had been about a month since I had picked her up from the nightmare-daycare and I thought I was doing everything right. I was wrong. Nancy said, “I think it’s time we meet.” In agreeing with her I made the best decision I could have ever made for my dog and me. I got rid of the books and began to ignore all the miscellaneous advice. Olive and I took part in the Relaxing your Reactive Rover (RRR) classes. These classes gave us an opportunity to work around and with other dogs in a controlled environment with minimal risk. I started to pay attention to my dog and read how she was feeling. I learned that I too was acting differently around other dogs and it was not helping anything. I got to meet other owners involved in the RRR classes and it helped to know that I was not alone. If and when one of the dogs had a hard time, the crowd wasn’t one that looked at you in judgment; everyone understood how it felt to be looked at as the “bad- dog” owner. It has been two years since I first called Nancy Tanner. Olive and I are still working on things, but she can now be around other dogs, sometimes she barks but she has never bitten. I don’t know where we would be today if we had not found Nancy. I honestly believe that she saved Olive. Nancy knows what she is doing, and she truly cares about it. She taught me to see that I have a wonderful dog.
- Candice Bliss & Olive - Missoula Montana
I just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for our private session. I never could have imagined that one session with you could change our daily walking/biking experiences. Lucy just yesterday was on a leash as I walked her around the pond, and two dogs came up to her and sniffed, etc. I remained calm, she barked at them to keep their distance, but then proceeded to wag her tail, and then wanted to play. Before, she and I would have both been tense as the dogs were both without owners. I cannot believe the difference! She is fine now with the neighbor dogs that come in to the yard from time to time and we are both so much happier. I have not pushed the limits and I don't plan to, but it is so nice to not worry about my dog attacking another dog. I had huge anxiety about other dogs approaching us before and now she even plays with the dog she used to despise! She stills runs around even the tiniest dog at first to keep her distance, but she is gaining confidence every day and so am I. She is my best friend and your personal dog training session was the best thing I ever did for our relationship.
- Marissa Fuher - Bozeman
Architectural Designer
The Calm works wonderfully. I've used it now for about a week and the barking is lessened greatly even with stimuli that would normally set them off and the calming effects through thunderstorms are terrific. I can't say enough about the Calm spray and what it has done for our dogs. I've just ordered 2 for my friends who's dogs have stressor issues with storms and traveling.
-Barbara Walls - Salisbury, Maryland
I loved your video from a month or so ago on sending the dog around objects then throwing the reward. We have been working on that with tennis balls and trees and he loves it. Getting a good foundation. Will you please keep me in mind for more of those training tips and fun game ideas that you have with the video to go with it? I was so discouraged with that freestyle class and how hard the tricks seemed. I disliked it so much I would only spend less than five minutes a day on those tricks and wouldn't you know now we have all of them (at least the ones that are possible with a short girl and a tall dog) down pat. Reverse and Scoot were the ones I was most intimidated by and those are now his favorite default tricks. Thank you! I just love having this fun relationship with my dog.
Please send more ideas. You are much more creative than I am. We are looking forward to a fall class.
- Kristen Cooper and Lutsen - Somewhere in Minnesota
- Sherry Rand, Helena Montana
We initially came to Nancy after our dog (8 months old at the time) began to show unwanted behavior towards strangers, especially men, and we didn’t know how this behavior came about and why. After meeting Nancy for the first time, we were relieved because we finally met a trainer who has the experience and knowledge with this type of situation. Nancy’s approach to helping our dog was very professional and enthusiastic. She always comes prepared, she has a great deal of patience, is very courteous, and always has the time to answer questions and meet with you anywhere. We have known Nancy for over a year now and our dog’s behavior has improved significantly. She has done a wonderful job and has educated us to make us better owners. The only regret we have is that we didn’t meet her sooner.
- Crystal, Ken, and our pup, Porter - Richmond, Washington
As a first time dog-owner, I had no clue what to do with my new yellow lab puppy, Lulu, so I immediately enrolled into Puppy 1 at Paws & People based on a recommendation of a friend. After that first 6 week class, Lulu had down the basic behaviors plus she was really good at rolling over. Immediately, we decided to take Puppy 2 which taught Lulu a great settle and "go to". Check out the video of Lulu at a little over 4 months old . We continued with a Ready, Set, Hike class and a Free Style for Fun class. Shortly after Lulu turned one, she passed the Canine Good Citizen class. We decided to take one more class on tricks when Lulu turned two. I can't thank Nancy and Prairie enough for training me on how to be a good dog owner. I couldn't be more proud of my dog and love all the compliments I get about Lulu being well-behaved and sweet.
-Susie Boyer & Lulu - Bozeman
As a first-time dog owner, I didn't have a clue what I was doing, so I contacted Nancy even before I picked out my puppy--and am I glad I did! Nancy was with me every step of Chervil's puppy and adult training, and Nancy helped us become a great team who can go anywhere together. Chervil is a well-trained, well-exercised, happy dog--because I had a trainer who helped me understand the commitment I was making and showed me how to be the best possible owner. Chervil and I both agree: Nancy is the BEST.
-Linda Karell & Chervil - Bozeman
Training my Maltese, Sophie was the most rewarding experience I've ever had with my dog. I learned so much from Nancy Tanner about being a good advocate for my dog and that I had to do the work to help Sophie be the best she could be. My goal for her was to be a "Therapy Dog", so I started training with her when she was 4 months old. I am so proud of her, she is now 29 months old and a member of Intermountain Therapy Animals here in Bozeman. Thank you Nancy for all you do.
-Sandy Watson & Sophie - Bozeman
I have a wonderful dog named Olive. The first time I talked to Nancy Tanner I was worried that my dog was having problems. I had left an obedient loving friend at doggie-daycare and when I returned a week later I picked up a terrified nightmare that had lost 25 pounds. It was obvious something had happened. It took awhile but I finally got the story out of one of the employees; my dog had been attacked almost daily by another dog with little to no staff intervention. Previous to this happening my dog loved ALL other dogs. I would have never guessed a day would come when Olive would be afraid of other dogs. Her fear was scary. She didn’t want other dogs to approach her so she did her best to scare them away by becoming as fierce as she could. It did more than scare other dogs away, it scared the other dog’s owners, and it scared me. I started reading books and intervening in any and every way I learned about.
The second time I talked to Nancy Tanner I was distraught and in tears because I knew my dog was going to end up killing another dog. It had been about a month since I had picked her up from the nightmare-daycare and I thought I was doing everything right. I was wrong. Nancy said, “I think it’s time we meet.” In agreeing with her I made the best decision I could have ever made for my dog and me. I got rid of the books and began to ignore all the miscellaneous advice. Olive and I took part in the Relaxing your Reactive Rover (RRR) classes. These classes gave us an opportunity to work around and with other dogs in a controlled environment with minimal risk. I started to pay attention to my dog and read how she was feeling. I learned that I too was acting differently around other dogs and it was not helping anything. I got to meet other owners involved in the RRR classes and it helped to know that I was not alone. If and when one of the dogs had a hard time, the crowd wasn’t one that looked at you in judgment; everyone understood how it felt to be looked at as the “bad- dog” owner. It has been two years since I first called Nancy Tanner. Olive and I are still working on things, but she can now be around other dogs, sometimes she barks but she has never bitten. I don’t know where we would be today if we had not found Nancy. I honestly believe that she saved Olive. Nancy knows what she is doing, and she truly cares about it. She taught me to see that I have a wonderful dog.
- Candice Bliss & Olive - Missoula Montana
I just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for our private session. I never could have imagined that one session with you could change our daily walking/biking experiences. Lucy just yesterday was on a leash as I walked her around the pond, and two dogs came up to her and sniffed, etc. I remained calm, she barked at them to keep their distance, but then proceeded to wag her tail, and then wanted to play. Before, she and I would have both been tense as the dogs were both without owners. I cannot believe the difference! She is fine now with the neighbor dogs that come in to the yard from time to time and we are both so much happier. I have not pushed the limits and I don't plan to, but it is so nice to not worry about my dog attacking another dog. I had huge anxiety about other dogs approaching us before and now she even plays with the dog she used to despise! She stills runs around even the tiniest dog at first to keep her distance, but she is gaining confidence every day and so am I. She is my best friend and your personal dog training session was the best thing I ever did for our relationship.
- Marissa Fuher - Bozeman
Architectural Designer
The Calm works wonderfully. I've used it now for about a week and the barking is lessened greatly even with stimuli that would normally set them off and the calming effects through thunderstorms are terrific. I can't say enough about the Calm spray and what it has done for our dogs. I've just ordered 2 for my friends who's dogs have stressor issues with storms and traveling.
-Barbara Walls - Salisbury, Maryland
I loved your video from a month or so ago on sending the dog around objects then throwing the reward. We have been working on that with tennis balls and trees and he loves it. Getting a good foundation. Will you please keep me in mind for more of those training tips and fun game ideas that you have with the video to go with it? I was so discouraged with that freestyle class and how hard the tricks seemed. I disliked it so much I would only spend less than five minutes a day on those tricks and wouldn't you know now we have all of them (at least the ones that are possible with a short girl and a tall dog) down pat. Reverse and Scoot were the ones I was most intimidated by and those are now his favorite default tricks. Thank you! I just love having this fun relationship with my dog.
Please send more ideas. You are much more creative than I am. We are looking forward to a fall class.
- Kristen Cooper and Lutsen - Somewhere in Minnesota