• 5.1: Write a Testimonial

Success Stories

Do you have a success story about Dances With Dogs?

to the pack leader and your story will be posted on our website!

from Tonya, owner of Roxy Boxer:

from Laura & Darrell, owners of Bailey Golden Doodle:
We can't thank you enough, Julie, for all you have done for Bailey.  He has enjoyed every minute at your school.  We are so happy to have been part of your school - you have a GREAT program!  We don't want to leave but know we have to (due to Bailey's size).  I can see why you have such a waiting list.  You are at the TOP!  Bailey has made many friends and he is such a happy dog.  We owe you so much!  Your reports at the end of the day are a joy to read.  I don't see how you do it all.  We will truly miss coming to your home.  Please let us know if something new develops for the OLDER dog!  We will never forget the great experience Bailey had at your Dances With Dogs!  Thank you so much!

from Laura & Chris, owners of Bailey, a rescued Terrier-Chihuahua-Mystery Mix:

From Emily & Casey, owners of Layla (Rescued Whippet Mix)
Thank you so much for taking in our little puppy and helping to mold her into the wonderful young dog she is today.  Remember how shy she was when she began?  You've been such a great friend and resource.  It felt great dropping Layla off at "school" knowing she would have a fun-filled day with you.  I'm very sad she had to grow up so quickly.  I'm so thankful for the day I saw your brochure at the Vet's.  I will be sure to spread the word of Julie and Dances With Dogs.  Every puppy and their owner should get the chance to be a part of something so wonderful.  Layla will start attending Adventure Walks and we have a few private lessons scheduled with Elsa.  Your great facility truly spoiled us, so we haven't been able to commit to any dog daycares.  They lack the cleanliness, character and "Julie" that we've all grown accustomed to.  We'll miss you so much!

From Kate, owner of Lucy (Maltepoo)

OK, I don't know what you did to Lucy yesterday but she is a new dog! She has a new calmness to her that I have never seen. Last night when we got home she took a little nap but then throughout the rest of the night she still remained calm. She would sit before I put food down for her, sit before we went outside. My husband asked, can't we take her every day of the week? I thought when she got up this morning she would be full of energy, which she was, but so much less jumpy then she was.  I was a little nervous to drop our baby off but the updates on the website and your confidence really helped put me at ease. Thank you so much! I can't believe all of these changes in just one day at DWD! I wish that we had found you sooner but am so glad that we found you now. You are doing an amazing thing!  Thank you so much!

From Lisa & Michelle, owners of Oliver Ramone (Sheltie Mix Rescue...)
From Jennie, owner of Henry (Choc Lab)

From Sarah, owner of Lola (Maltese)
It's such a treat to watch you & your "gang" from the doorway, if only for the few moments that I am there!! I'd love to watch hours of the antics of the "gang"!!  I had doubts about having a dog in a 3-story condo, in the city, with no direct access to a yard.  So, it just warms my heart & brings a smile to my face to see what originally looked like a little fluff ball strutting around with the big boys and girls!  I love that she looks so strong and self-assured and at home without me and with her playmates.  I'm so glad we found you & your wonderful work. 

From Helen & Roland, owners of Tootsie (Mini Dachshund)
We cannot thank you enough for all the good care you have given Tootsie.  Tootsie always looked forward to going to your place.  We feel that that part of her life has given her so much pleasure.  Your "puppy reports" have been very funny, interesting and educational for us.  We feel that because of your puppy day care, Tootsie has had a wonderful and enjoyable start in her puppy-stage of life.  And from you, we have learned to train her in a loving, caring way.  We wish you the best and will highly recommend your business to whomever we meet who has a puppy or small dog.

From Justin & Rickie, owners of Lola (rescued Lab mix)

From Kathy, owner of Murphy (golden retriever)
As a retiree, I was thrilled to finally have the time to raise a puppy – and I thought I knew how to go about it.  I wanted a golden retriever and was well aware of how high-energy they can be, having owned a golden for ten years previously.So I picked out a beautiful male puppy from a reputable breeder and brought him home.  He was adorable to look at – but behind that angel facade was a wild and wooly mouthy puppy with razor sharp teeth.  He was unfocused and “all over the place”.I thought he was getting socialized – I introduced him to the mailman, the neighbors etc. – but it wasn’t nearly enough.  Finding Dances with Dogs was a lifesaver.  I was astonished to find that he didn’t know how to play with other puppies – the puppy that I thought was full of confidence just didn’t know how to interact (even though he had left his active littermates only two weeks before.)  I don’t know if we humans will ever fully understand puppy brain development – but Murphy’s interaction with other puppies during this critical time made all the difference.  They taught him how to play, when a nip was too hard, and when enough is enough.  But the real credit goes to Julie who provides a very safe, play-friendly environment with supervision at all times.  She is extremely good at understanding dog behavior and very good at understanding how sensitive owners can be about their little darlings.  Murphy has graduated from puppy playschool – but he owes a huge debt of gratitude to Julie and Dances with Dogs for molding him into the very likable nice dog that he has become. Thank you Julie.

From Lydia S., owner of Kazuo:

On December 30, 2007, I brought home a Shiba-inu and named him Kazuo,
meaning peaceful one in Japanese (a hope for the future!). As someone
who brought home a Shiba from Japan in 1985 and was lucky to get to love
him for 15 years, I knew some of the possible issues that could come up.
Shibas are rather cat-like and can end up becoming dog aggressive and
they happy to ignore people because they are really loners by nature.
Knowing this and not wanting to have to cross the street when other dogs
appeared, I immediately sought out ways to socialize him – not easy in
Maine in January! Lucky for me, I found Julie and Dances with Dogs.

Dances with Dogs has been a marvelous experience for both me and Kazuo
and we have had fantastic results. Julie has provided a wonderful place
for Kazuo to play and socialize and also provided me with lots of
information, tips, and connections to other resources. Kazuo has gone
from being a shy pup hiding behind pillows to a puppy who is happy to
see other dogs when we are out walking and meets them with a happy tail.
He has learned how to be part of a pack of pups and play with great
delight. He has also learned to approach and greet people with good
manners and he has been exposed to lots of people as other owners are in
and out as well as trainers and others that Julie brings in for visits.

When I say, “Let’s go see Julie!” Kazuo cannot wait to hop in the car.
When I drop him off, he doesn’t even look back as he is so happy to see
Julie and the other pups. The pups are never crated and spend most of
their time outside (even in snow and rain!) and Julie is always with
them. While Kazuo and I work on our relationship and behaviors daily
and take training classes, the experiences, socialization, and training
he receives at Dances with Dogs makes it a joy to be out and about in
Portland with Kazuo and he is welcome everywhere I take him. I am
deeply appreciative of Julie’s skills and dedication to the pups and
their owners.