Monterey Students...

Lexi, my Doberman, was the most challenging dog I've ever owned. I say was, because all that changed after we started training with Audrey. As a dog trainer myself, I had pretty high expectations of Lexi and for many reasons , we were having more frustration than fun. But after a great year learning foundation agility skills with Audrey, our whole relationship dynamic changed. It was truly transformative and I thank Audrey for that! I see Lexi in an entirely new light of appreciation and awe for all the cool things she has learned and how far we have come AND how much more fun we have together! Audrey's enthusiasm is seriously contagious! she has a keen eye for training details and her knowledge and understanding of dogs and training them make her an awesome instructor..... you're lucky she moved to your town! We miss her!
Andee Burleigh and Doberman Lexi

San Diego Students...

I started training with Audrey Ferrel about 1 1/2 years ago with my rescue Aussie, Brodie.  I have learned so much with her structured training program.  She has a foundation class for agility in which Brodie learned the basics one at a time and did not move ahead until he learned the behavior.  Audrey's classes are interesting, informative and fun.  I also have brought my experienced and competing 5 year old Aussie, Shooter, to her Excellent level classes and have improved my handling skills with him as well.  Both dogs are competing and doing very well.  I highly recommend Audrey as your instructor and will miss her very much.  My only regret is that I didn't start with her sooner.                                               Bobby Jo Cook and Aussies Shooter and Brodie

                                    Audrey’s instruction was a cornerstone in helping me to develop a positive working relationship and bond with my young Brittany, Gable. Prior to meeting Audrey, I was typically leaving agility lessons in tears, very frustrated with my dog’s inability to focus and his lack of drive to do the behaviors I was asking of him. (He thought it was much more fun to run about and pee on “things”). Audrey welcomed the “hyperactivity, attention deficit-dog” challenge and quickly showed me how to harness his attention. She recognized every moment of excellence, no matter how small, and helped us to connect as a team. I will never forget the first day we left her facility and I felt hope instead of frustration. Although it may be a while before I think we are ready to compete, I now have a working partner in Gable and I look forward to future days of training and trialing. Audrey’s energy and endless enthusiasm, combined with her knowledge of positive training techniques and her love of dog sports, is unparalleled and a gift to the those searching for a great agility instructor. My only regret is that I didn’t meet her earlier and train with her longer.                                              Joanna Hunt and Jack Russell Terrier Darby and Brittany Gable

Murphy and I want to thank you for your awesome training program. While Murphy doesn't have everything mastered yet, we will continue to practice keeping in mind your instructions and hints. I really appreciated the one on one attention you gave each        puppy in the program, as well as the whole group focus. Your program is so different from the one I attended several years ago with our Airedale. There were about 20 of us in the group and there was no one-on-one interaction with owners and their              puppies. I usually left every lesson feeling frustrated which I'm sure Max sensed as well. I dreaded going, but we got through it.  Your program is so different. Every session you and Bree were encouraging and supportive and I always left feeling like                something was accomplished and successes, though small, were rewarding. Murphy and I both had a wonderful experience!     God bless you and your family.                                                                                                                                                                           Lyn Hardy and Keri Blue Terrier Murphy

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help with Dre.  It is an extreme night and day difference.  Who would have known he was such a bright and intelligent dog.  He's been behaving beautifully and we're having a really fun time doing the training with him.  We're still amazed each and every time he obeys (which is pretty much all the time now).  I'd say his constant jumping has reduced by 90% since we saw you.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!   We'd love to see what his potential is in the training department.  We're sold!  You'll be at the top of our recommendation list.  Even already we've been telling everyone because we're so excited to be building our relationship with Dre.                  Danielle and Chuck Tucker and rescue Chessie Dre

Audrey is such a positive motivational trainer.  With her incredible ability to read my dog's, she picked up things in a few minutes that really made a huge difference in my dog's attitudes. I am a better trainer because of her!!! While training with Audrey my older dog regained her confidence and we started having fun again!!! Now she is running way under time and clean!!! My young dog got the best start. Her contacts are solid, and the skills we started with will last thru our agility career.  I also learned a lot about handling a quick dog, and keeping the speed, AND had the most fun!                                             Marie Davis and Australian Shepherd Tipsy and Belgian Shepherd Ruby.

Jackson, our 2 year old border collie, came into our lives with a whole lot of energy and a need to focus it on what mom wanted (and dad too!). I found Audrey to be a wonderful trainer with a keen insight into the world of the high drive border collie and a "type A" personality human. We had a ball in puppy kindergarten learning all the basic commands with ease.  After that, we took Intermediate Obedience, Basic Clicker, Clicks and Tricks, Intro to Agility, as well as private and group agility lessons. Jackson has earned his NA and OAJ agility titles and continues to compete and do well. Duncan, our 10 year old Border Collie, enjoyed his obedience classes too!  We learned how to communicate with a nearly deaf dog through hand signals. Both Duncan and Jackson are Canine Good Citizens thanks to Audrey, Christine and Deanne's guidance. Thanks Audrey for all your help with our “kids” and for all the amazing dog friends we have made over the past two years. We miss you like crazy!                                           Susan and Neal  Merchant  with Border Collie's Jackson and Duncan 

Since starting with BBDT, Cali has begun her competitive agility career, earning both Novice titles with six perfect runs, and one leg so far in open.  We have acquired her therapy dog title, and passed a grueling test to become one of the first 20 dogs in the country to be certified as a Disaster Stress Relief Dog. More importantly, however, I have grown so much in my ability to work WITH my dog instead of demanding her to work for me.  She has really flourished under the positive training that we have both gotten from BBDT and Audrey.  Cali was a rescue dog at 15 months, and has had a lot of "issues" resulting from her experiences.  Thanks to the training and guidance that we both have received with BBDT, we are much more able to roll with the punches, and have fun while we are doing it.  Cali now wants to work, and offers new and interesting behaviors on her own, whereas she used to sit and meekly wait to be told what to do.  She loves doing agility and bounds eagerly and boldly to her next obstacle.  Her confidence has dramatically increased, and people always comment on how much fun she has while running.  All of that is due to what we have learned with BBDT.  Cali’s true personality and abilities were awakened under Audrey's watchful eye, and I will never be able to thank her enough for what she has done for both of us! Kristie Torline and Rescue Dobie Cali

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  With the help of Audrey’s positive and motivating training methods, 2003 was quite a successful year for Anthony, our miniature poodle. While training with Audrey, he went from being known as the dog that “zoomed” everywhere to earning both his Open Standard and Open Jumper titles.  Our other poodle, Neal, has earned 7 Double Q's this year so far, and I attribute this also to Audrey’s positive methods.  She taught me how to front cross correctly and not in the dog's path, which helped both dogs tremendously!! Audrey: I look around at the trials and at the successes of your former pupils and know that you would be so proud.  There has been a definite void left here in VA!  Mary Susan, Charlotte and Miniature Poodle's Anthony and Neal

  When I met Audrey a few years ago, I had been competing in agility for several years with my JRT, Guinness.  Although we’d had some success initially, we struggled for years to finish our AAD, and then for two more to get our first Master’s Standard leg.  Many of our problems grew out of stress and frustration.  My dog was incredibly anxious, I was causing him a lot of stress in our training, but I blamed him for his behavior much of the time.  Although I’d had him in agility training for years, we had never done an obedience class, and no one ever offered me any advice for his obnoxious public behavior – lunging and barking at dogs and people, constant whining and barking at me for attention.  Most people just accepted it as typical terrier behavior, but Audrey in her typical forthright manner told me what I was doing wrong, how I was reinforcing some of it myself, and what I needed to do to change his behavior.  She spent a great deal of time helping me proof and change his reactions, so that he is now a very different dog.   I had done some shaping with the clicker, but Audrey really helped me apply it in more ways than I had thought to, including obedience training and counter-conditioning.  Then there were the fun tricks classes, where one day Audrey pulled out a skateboard and set it down in front of Jordan.  My little dog took to it immediately, and from there an idea was born, and lots of great things happened for us – including trips to NY and CA, and a tv commercial!  If Audrey hadn’t provided the environment for us to brainstorm and be creative with our training, we might have missed out on all those adventures!   Of course the most important thing is her support, encouragement and constant pushing of her friends and students to realize their potential, and take responsibility for their dog’s training (or lack of!).  Her knowledge of training and especially behavior far surpasses anyone I have known or worked with, and I think she is well on her way to reaching that same level as an agility trainer and handler!  Just wait and see! Deanne Davenport and JRT's Jordan and Guinness

We were part of Audrey’s very first agility class here in Virginia. Mikey was a very spoiled conformation dog that knew his stuff in the show ring, but ignored me the rest of the time. Audrey’s perspective on positive training and motivation completely changed our relationship. There was no more frustration. When we started, Mikey thought I was crazy for asking him to do something. Now, he is raring to go and loves doing agility. The transformation is remarkable. Mikey has gone on to do pet therapy and will be competing in agility if his health holds steady. The positive techniques, including clicker training, that Audrey helped us to understand, have also been invaluable through Mikey’s chronic illnesses and many vet visits. He is tolerant of all of the procedures he undergoes and is a happy, pleasant patient. Jackie Florio and Maltese Ch Mikey Man... update: Jackie and Mikey attended their first agility trial and earned a first place and qualifying score in Novice Jumpers!     

Audrey - I am very sorry to see you leave. I and the dogs will miss you tremendously!  You have taught us a lot.  You developed Wizard, and Jasmine is a new dog since she started training with you.  She  has earned 4 titles since training with you and we had been struggling on trying to earn her first title for over a year.  My dogs earned  22 ribbons last year  thanks to you.  You are a great trainer!  Dr. Gina Schroetter and Corgi’s Jasmine and Wizard

Audrey, I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed the training classes. I feel much more in tune with the dogs now. I LOVE using the clicker as a training tool. After trying to do training with Madison both ways, the clicker was so much better! It really sped up the communication. I particularly liked the way that you explained how things appear from the dog's point of view. I was thinking that a seminar about that would be fascinating! Thank you again for such a positive experience! I hope to see you in the near future. Susan Humphrey, Madison and Detroit, German Shepherd mixes, Attended Basic Obedience and Beginner Clicker Training

I want to thank Audrey for all her patience, training and words of encouragement.  She is definitely a lady who not only loves dogs, but also loves what she does and is great at it.  My family and I adopted Gwen from the SPCA in February 2002.  After having her a month, we were on the verge of giving up on her, because she wouldn't respond to the training methods we were familiar with.  We came across Audrey's web site and are thankful that we did.  Gwen and I began training with Audrey in Beginning Adult Obedience.  The change in Gwen after just a few classes was amazing.  Gwen and I have grown so close through taking these classes together; that I am so very thankful we didn't give up on her.  She is such a great dog and a treasured member of our family.  It's all thanks to Audrey.  Her positive training methods are outstanding.  It not only builds the confidence in your dog (who then wants to do more to please you), but it also boosts your own confidence that -- yes I can do this and have a great dog too. Connie Mullins and Golden Retriever cross Gwen

Let me start by saying my relationship with Brandon would not be where it is today without Audrey's help.... She helped me to understand that he was not being an obnoxious dog, but was just full of energy. Before Audrey, Brandon spent most of his time in a crate because I did not know how to handle him. I was at the breaking point of taking him to the shelter until I met Audrey. Since that first class, our relationship is so much better than I ever thought it could be. We have found a way to direct his high energy level into something fun for both of us. Agility was the answer for Brandon, and boy if you could see him run, the fastest locomotive couldn't keep up with him. Classes give us quality time together; we both get exercise, and sometimes we both get treats. Thanks to Audrey we have a better relationship and I hope to have a prize winning agility champion someday. Kathy Sullivan LVT and Brandon, a beagle/border collie mix, have taken Beginner Adult Obedience, Intermediate, Clicks and Tricks, and Agility.

In the initial hour's consultation with Audrey, I learned more about my dog and how we interacted than I learned during 15 happy years with an earlier pet.  Subsequent classes have taught me to work with Caja so that she is behaving and performing in ways I never thought possible.  The training  is totally positive and effective, far beyond anything I thought I could do with a dog.  Each class (we've completed several sets of agility classes) has clearly stated objectives, and each is filled with tidbits of useful information.  I'm not sure who has the most fun or receives the most benefit, Caja or me!

Judy and Cocker Spaniel Caja 

Audrey helped me to build a more constructive relationship with my fox terrier. After nine years of bad behavior and ruling the roost, Bullet is now a happy and obedient member of the family. Audrey's understanding of why dogs do what they do and how to change those behaviors has been a life saver. The best part is that she made it fun along the way - we both love her to death! You couldn't find a more caring, relentless and energetic trainer. Denise with Smooth Fox Terrier, Bullet

Audrey's the bomb---I never thought I'd find someone with more positive energy than me.  Don't even think about going elsewhere for fun and training." Meredith and Standard Poodle Indy

10 eyes stare at me every day of the week.  All asking, begging, pleading the same question every time.  "When is it our time to go see the nice lady who brings on the fun with a capital F, mom?"  Who ever gets to go zips around with sheer excitement.  I have 5 dogs in training with Audrey, and have the utmost confidence in her ability about all things related to dogs.  I think that one of her best attributes is telling it like it is, all for the benefit of you and your dog.  That in and of itself is why I am so glad that I finally found someone who can enrich my relationship between myself and each of my dogs.  All of my dogs have only excelled in their respective behaviors since attending her classes.  They are increasing their confidence and my own confidence level is on the rise as well.  Last but certainly not least is one other attribute that should stop everyone from going to any other trainer...She has heart when it comes to dogs.  I have been around a few trainers, and she is the first one that has heart and complete understanding, and most of all forgiveness.  So this is why the 6th pair of pleading dog eyes and I  will go to Puppy Kindergarten, because it is new and exciting every time.  And so I thank Audrey for the time she puts into me, and my dogs. My life is better for it. Christine Johnson - Proud Owner of Bailey, Guinness, Fosters, and Irish and Co-owner of Xena and Spenser

Audrey's Puppy K and Intermediate Obedience was extremely helpful with Tug's aggression and other behavior problems.  He is a much more enjoyable dog to be around and he is so much easier to live with.  I was also able to apply what I learned to my other to dogs.  Audrey is energetic and really made class fun.  We miss her a ton.

Samantha and Scott Damrauer and Tug

Audrey is a very dedicated and competent dog trainer concentrating in positive behavioral modification.  It was always with the utmost confidence that I encouraged clients to attend her classes and seek her advice.

Dr. Ann Combs, DVM

Sea Island Animal Hospital

Beaufort, SC

I have had the opportunity to work with Audrey Ferrel on behavior cases, and found her very knowledgeable, patient and helpful. We specifically handled some separation anxiety cases, using counter conditioning and desensitization techniques, with excellent results. I would recommend her training and behavior techniques.

Dr. Stacy O’Quinn, DVM

Riverwalk Animal Hospital

Ridgeland, SC

Kathy with rescue Jack Russell, Tybee, completed Beginner Adult Obedience, clicker training and agility.

Both Abby and I have learned and grown together as a result of Audrey’s ability to motivate both owner/handler and dog and to provide coaching and help whenever a problem arose.