Testimonials
What People Are Saying About The Canine Messenger
The Canine Messenger testimonial page is where real stories come to life. Here, dog owners share their experiences of finding harmony and confidence through clear guidance and compassionate training. Each testimonial highlights the transformation that occurs when communication, trust, and connection lead the way, showing how both dogs and their families thrive together.
We adopted four-year-old Karma from the Ojai Humane Society, and we quickly began working with Tracy to establish good routines with our new dog. Karma has a loyal, sweet heart, but she was nervous and aggressive towards other dogs and people. All four family members worked with Tracy, who always arrived on time with positive energy, plenty of treats, and wise insight. She has many different tools and techniques that she utilizes to help you find what works best with your dog. Additionally, she helped us see the world through our dog's eyes. She worked with us from the small things (like going out the door ahead of the dog) to the big (like introducing her successfully to other dogs) to help us and Karma gain confidence and integrate her into our family.
- K. Hooper
“We highly recommend Tracy for all your training needs. She fully understands what a dog needs in order to be a well behaved and happy member of your family, and she will work to help you understand also.”
My wife and I started around his 12-week mark. He’s a Golden-Doodle, and it became clear early on that his personality, intelligence, energy level and puppy-like ‘nibble’ reflex were going to take some work in order to ensure good, healthy interaction with humans and other dogs. We were referred to Tracy by a friend, and we’re SO glad our paths crossed when they did.
Georgie has thrived from his training, and my wife and I have become much more attuned to his signals, his moods, his needs and how to assimilate him into our household, allow for guests and activities, and even bring him on trips, restaurant and beach outings, have him respect our commands (and play nicely) off-leash at the dog park, etc…
Tracy’s help has continued to be immensely helpful as our family has begun to grow. Georgie was our first ‘baby’ and, when we discovered we were expecting our first human child (a baby girl) we were slightly worried because we knew that is often a lot for a dog to adjust to – especially one who tends to be active, anxious and very much needs clear definitions of roles in the ‘pack’. Additionally, we had spoken to several friends who had to unfortunately rehouse their dogs as the result of having children – we love Georgie very much and the thought of that was simply heartbreaking.
So with that said, we were proactive, set up some training sessions during our pregnancy and also once our daughter was born, followed the recommendations for how to prepare Georgie for her arrival, how to introduce the two of them and how to set clear boundaries for his interaction with her, and he has turned into the sweetest, most caring big brother we ever could have hoped for.
Needless to say, we highly recommend Tracy for all your training needs. She fully understands what a dog needs in order to be a well behaved and happy member of your family, and she will work to help you understand also.
- Carpenter Family
Kim, Eileen and I reached out to you at the suggestion of Kristen Lindemann, Raurie Lindemann & Michelle Klocke. We fostered to adopt Daisy from the Ventura County Animal Shelter on June 19, 2024. We had her fixed on July 05, 2024 as part of the foster to adopt process and we officially adopted her on July 05, 2024. We worked really hard to train Daisy in our home by setting boundaries, giving her lots of love and attention. The real problem/concern with Daisy was the biting and jumping especially jumping on Eileen who is Kim's 78 year old mother. This was becoming a real safety issue and a mental trigger for Kim. I had Kim's cousin and husband calling me and telling me I need to put the dog down. I was and still am pretty upset. I knew that Daisy only needs training.
We tried the six week training class at pet smart with a lady named Jill. After four weeks, it was clear that their training program was not very useful. We reached out to Tracy Vail and made arrangements to meet at our home to evaluate Daisy and layout a plan to help Daisy. Daisy was biting, jumping, nipping, chewing, counter surfing, and would not sleep in her crate or walk from the house on her leash. We were at our last option.
The first evaluation was tremendous. Tracy listened to our concerns. The next thing we knew, Tracy was bringing in a place board and a training leash. and we got down to business training Daisy. We started using the leash and issuing commands to Daisy to get her to "Place" on the board. After a few clumsy attempts, Daisy and I were both getting the hang of the commands and I was leading her, not Daisy leading me. Kim and Eileen took a few attempts and were successful. At this point we were excited that Daisy could be trained and we would be able to keep her. Tracy showed us how to use the leash to get Daisy into the crate at night and Kim and I regained our bedroom to ourselves. At the end of our 2 hour evaluation, We were impressed at the progress Daisy and the whole family made that we committed to the 3 session package.
Friday 11/15/2024, my wife Kim had an appointment with her psychiatrist by video. Before we started with Tracy, our dog Daisy had become a mental trigger to Kim and was wearing on her physically and emotionally. On her visit on 11/15/2024, she told her doctor that Daisy was no longer a trigger for her!!!!!!
Our last session of the year with Tracy was 11/16/2024. We are going to restart the next level of training for Daisy after the new year.
The benefit of using Tracy Vail as your trainer-she has a tremendous amount of experience & resources and she is willing to share. Daisy is not 100% cured of her bad habits, but with Tracy's help they have been reduced by 80%. We still have a ways to go, but we now have a wonderful 9 month old female black lab that is loving, caring and a joy to walk and play with around the house.
- Lindemann Family
“The benefit of using Tracy Vail as your trainer-she has a tremendous amount of experience & resources and she is willing to share.”
My wife and I own two young Australian Shepherds. They WERE a handful to say the least! We knew what we were getting into. Working dogs can bring so much joy to a family. They also can be quite challenging. This is where Tracy's magic shines. When we first met with tracy I knew we were in good hands. She corrected both of our boys unruly, reactive behavior in short order. Tracy has an almost mystical ability to connect with your pet and determine why their behavior is lacking the calmness that we all want. She recommended the proper tools and training, along with proper exercise and socialization. Now we have a happy crew that mingle about with other people and dogs! Tracy is truly the CANINE MESSENGER! Thanks Tracy!
- Chifos Family
“Tracy has an almost mystical ability to connect with your pet and determine why their behavior is lacking the calmness that we all want”
“ I am so grateful for Tracy’s guidance, patience and continued dedication to helping me have the best relationship with Luna that I can.”
I had reached out to Tracy in the Fall of 2019 when I was ready to begin looking for a rescue dog. She encouraged me to be very clear on the lifestyle I live, the home environment I have and any other preferences, from the beginning. I knew I wanted a smaller-medium sized female, not a puppy, and one that would be a good companion for my semi-active lifestyle of walking, running and hiking.
A couple weeks passed where I visited the shelter frequently and finally saw the first dog I felt like I had a connection with. Tracy scheduled a time for me to meet her and I was sure she was going to be the one. However, once we got to bring her to the play area, I realized she would be way more work than I was going to be able to provide. I felt awful, but Tracy was so patient and really encouraged me to continue to be open and honest so we could find the best dog. It felt great to not have pressure to adopt the first dog I visited with if she wasn't going to be a good fit.
As I wandered through the shelter to see if there were any other dogs I could meet, I saw her. A black dog who just calmly looked at me, and I said "Who's that? I didn't notice her before." Tracy led us to the play area and I knew I had found my dog. Luna was the dog I had been patiently waiting for. However, I'd have to be patient a while longer. Luna was around a year old and rescued from a shelter up north. She was found lactating from having puppies, but we are not sure where her puppies went. Because she was still healing from this experience, I had to wait a couple weeks until she could be neutered and cleared to come home. I visited her weekly in the shelter and was so excited when I finally got the call to be able to bring her home.
Luna and I continued working with Tracy for training and I really learned to have more confidence in being a person who could train a dog. Tracy is so patient and very clear in explaining why "this" works like "this". She understands dogs more than anyone I have ever met and this makes me feel so confident in putting her suggestions into action. Not only has Luna learned a lot, I have also learned a lot about myself. While Luna still loves chasing squirrels and birds, I have learned other methods to create structure for the benefit of us both.
It has been 7 months with Luna and I am so thrilled to have found the dog that was meant for me. While training is continuous, beyond meeting with Tracy, I see the value in the work. I am so grateful for Tracy's guidance, patience and continued dedication to helping me have the best relationship with Luna that I can.
I look forward to continuing to work with Tracy to help Luna and I build a relationship that will be so meaningful to us both for years to come.
- C. Yniguez