Testimonials:

Winchester is a three year old English Yellow Lab; he is my best friend. At 16 weeks, he was becoming quite the spontaneous activities director. I needed much more rational direction and he needed a more logical outlet for his "ideas" so when I found Judy, I found the answer: Daycare for my puppy at GTC. His first day at daycare introduced me to another side of my puppy's personality, it was the real him. He ran, wrestled, rolled, chased, stalked, sniffed, climbed, tugged, chewed, licked, swam, and learned with nine other puppies that day and by the end of the visit, his wacky and wild, impetuous-labrador-vitality-reservoir was tapped. He was a calm 16 week old labrador retriever for the entire evening. I was thrilled! Winchester became a regular pup in the pack at daycare. His socialization as a puppy was crucial in developing his pleasant demeanor as an adult dog. My relationship with Winchester has truly flourished because of what I have learned from Judy and the time that Winchester has spent at daycare. I love my dog!

I'll pass on to you an "if I knew then what I know now" nugget: Start socializing your puppy immediately; daycare and training at GTC is a wonderful, safe place for both you and your puppy to interact and to learn.

I credit the Granberg Training Center’s day care and socialization program with the transformation of my Golden Retriever from wild, willful, and obstinate puppy and adolescent into a well-trained and well-mannered adult. He learned to interact successfully with dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and sizes as well as many men, women, and children. My rescue Sheltie, a shy and skittish adolescent from a kennel environment, developed into a confident working dog, earning a Canine Good Citizen degree and now working as a certified therapy dog. Judy’s skills were instrumental in the development of polite dogs, both in my home and out in public.

It's truly a joy to see how much my puppy Allie enjoys going to GTC. I have been taking her to Judy's puppy class for several weeks as well as her day care program. Allie is an extremely high energy puppy, and it’s wonderful to have a place where she can have a ball playing and come home happy and thoroughly worn out. Judy has a deep understanding of dog behavior and takes the time to customize the experience for each puppy. I had concerns when Allie started “slapping” my hand as I was training her to lie down, Judy took us aside so she could personally witness the behavior and provide advice specific to my puppy. It turned out the behavior was just a part of my puppy’s enthusiasm and energy and not anything to be concerned about—she has already outgrown it, just as Judy said she would.

All puppies should be so lucky to go to a puppy-daycare program like the one at Granberg Training Center. The facility is in a beautiful setting of grassy runs and play yards where the puppies learn socialization and manners and how to be better companions. It is a wonderful opportunity for those of us on the Divide and surrounding areas. My Border Collie, Jamie and I are still taking lessons (after a year and a half) learning obedience and general behavior. Our intent is to enter fun shows, AKC mixed breed shows, and enjoy the activities in Rally and Obedience. Thank you, Judy, for making this possible.

Note: Congratulations to Bonnie and Jamie for earning their Canine Good Citizen certificate at the Gold Country English Setter Fancier's Obedience & Rally Workshop in Sacramento, CA. The Rally judge commented "Your dog is awesome."

Our dog, Braveheart, has the good fortune to have the Granberg Training Center available since he was the smallest pup in the socialization class. Now he is an oversize Aussie of 80 lbs., a great dog and often used by friends to socialize their less calm dogs. He is an ideal dog companion, and I give Judy most of the credit. He can be taken anywhere, has great manners without being obsequious, and a joy for me. Judy does a remarkable job of teaching a dog people needs while allowing the dog to still be a dog and not a toy.

When we brought our labs, Roman & Ruth to Judy’s for the first time, they were 14 weeks old. They are brother and sister, and after meeting Judy that first time with them, we knew they were in the right place. Not only did Judy work with us in the training of two lab puppies, she gave them a safe, fun place to go and play. Her continued encouragement and training have helped us to overcome the statistics of not being able to raise two siblings at the same time and still have them be well mannered, obedient and overall fantastic dogs. They are now almost 2 years old, and still look forward to going to the “Dog Farm” every Tuesday and Thursday to see Judy and their friends. Thank you, Judy!

Our two dogs, Buddy and Fawnie, miss Judy and her program very much! Their social skills grew immensely from being in the program. Buddy was one of Judy's original day care students(and a real star!). We felt guilty leaving him home alone, so I would drop him off to be "babysat" on my way to Georgetown School. A different job, retirement, and grandkids took us to Chico. We were unable to find another like Judy and her program, so we bought a trailer so we can travel with our dogs.

We started taking Cosmo, our lab mix, to the Granberg Training Center for puppy playtime when she was about 7 months old. She was a very energetic puppy and was wild around people and our cats. Judy and the training center provided an atmosphere for her to be with other dogs in a safe, fun and spacious environment where she could learn rules of play behavior with the best teachers – other dogs. Cosmo is now two and ½ years old and has benefited greatly from her time with her “pals” at puppy playtime. We feel confident taking her places where there are other dogs as she is non-confrontational and able to read “the signs” from others. We continue to take her once or twice a week for the socialization aspect now more than the energy release aspect and feel that she is a happier, more well- adjusted and well-behaved dog for the experience. Judy provides a humane, human, no-nonsense presence for the dogs and makes sure that it is indeed a play time and not a free-for-all. Thank you Judy.

"Doggie day care" and puppy lessons for Lea are the highlight of her puppy life. She loves playing with the other dogs so much! I wish I'd been able to do this with other puppies we have had over the years. Conway and Lea and I have learned so much from Judy and the other dogs and owners. Thanks to Judy, we have a 4 month old very large puppy that walks well on a leash, has learned basic commands, and has gained important "dog socialization" skills that serve her well every day of her life. (Just today we met 3 different loose dogs on our walk and she very calmly "sniffed" and introduced herself like a lady.) We will continue to train Lea with Judy's help as she grows. Judy is teaching both Conway and I skills to raise a happy, well behaved very large dog. Thank you so much!

My black lab has been going to Granberg Training Center since he was a puppy, and he still gets excited when we drive up for day care. As an "only dog" the socialization with other dogs has been terrific for him. Judy is excellent with the dogs, warm and loving but always in control. It's reassuring to know my dog has such a wonderful place to visit.

Being the owners of a very active Rottie puppy, we needed an outlet for her energy. We found the ideal exercise and socialization program at GTC. Judy's knowledge of canine behavior has made her doggie-day-care program a valuable resource for dog owners.

I brought my black lab puppy "Molly" to Judy's initially for training and day care. I was so pleased with Molly's manners and people’s comments on how well behaved she was that I continued in Judy’s puppy socialization program with my next lab puppy "Harlee." I took Molly everywhere with me secure in the knowledge she would listen. Harlee likewise is a joy to take places as I know I have a well-behaved dog.

I am confident when I leave my dog for day care or boarding, she is well cared for and loves being at GTC. When I pull up to Judy's place my dog knows exactly where we are and is happy and excited to be there, her tail wagging. Judy loves taking care of dogs which is apparent by how she is with all dogs. She is willing to share her knowledge with her clients to help better them as dog owners. Judy is a wonderful person and a blessing to all of us dog owners....I would be lost with out her.

Sherlock enters the run with the puppies where he is top dog for the day. He has been a regular at Camp Judy's for more than four years and has learned from older dogs like himself how to behave so now he is showing the "kids" how to socialize. We know we are leaving Sherlock in a beautiful environment that is safe with Judy standing guard. It's a fun place for him and a guilt free day for us. Thanks Judy!

I am Charlotte's pet parent Rosie McGrath. Charlotte has been going to GTC doggy day care since she was about 3 months old and she is now 3 and a half years old. She has grown into a well rounded and well behaved dog. We attribute this behavior to going to GTC. She also loves going to doggy day care at GTC and can't wait to go!

My husband and I welcomed a German Shepherd puppy into our lives. We wanted our dog to be friendly to people and dogs so she could go lots of places with us. We recognized the need to start puppy classes immediately after bringing Lacey home at 8 weeks old. Judy was recommended by several friends. We scheduled an appointment to meet her and ask about puppy classes. We discussed our goals of wanting a friendly, well-mannered dog that could go anywhere with us.

One of the first things Judy assessed about Lacey was even at such a young age, she was a little fearful of other dogs and had the potential for some separation anxiety issues. At nine weeks old, Lacey started Judy’s puppy socialization/daycare program two days a week. Judy carefully chose the puppies and dogs she put Lacey with so she wouldn’t get overwhelmed and could learn that other puppies were fun to play with. Lacey was showered with treats and pets from the many women, men, and children that visit the center. Judy taught us how to teach Lacey to sit, stay, down, and (most important to us) come to us when called.

Another issue we found within the next few months was Lacey’s desire to chase cars. Judy came to our house and walked the street with us to observe Lacey’s behavior and watch how we handled her. With Judy’s guidance, we learned how to train Lacey to sit and watch the cars drive by. Lacey is 1-1/2 years old now and still struggles with meeting new dogs. She continues to attend Judy’s daycare program and her novice training classes working on her socialization and obedience.

We are so thankful for the early socialization and instruction that Judy has provided for Lacey throughout her puppyhood and now her adolescent years. Because of this program, we ARE able to take Lacey everywhere with us, and she is a very friendly, well-mannered, people-dog that can play with other dogs with a little guidance. Judy has gone above and beyond just being our "dog trainer." All it takes is a morning of sitting around her table listening to her talk with everyone about dogs to know that all she wants is the best for these puppies and dogs so they can stay in their homes and live an enriched life with their human families.

Note: Congratulations to Ed and Terri and Lacey for earning their Canine Good Citizen certificate on September 30th through the Hangtown Kennel Club in Placerville, CA. Lacey, handled by Ed, performed flawlessly on all 10 tests.

Thanks for the fantastic class today. Tazz and I learned so much. The class was a great combination of group and individual work. For example, we were in a circle and we each had our puppy "heel" around the circle weaving in and out between the other puppies who were working on their sit stays. You gave individual feedback to each handler walking a puppy as well as to those of us controlling our puppies on sit stays. Later we moved to another field with the puppies off leash. We were instructed to note whether our puppies kept their eyes on us as they investigated the new location. Watchful of all the handlers and puppies, your keen understanding and feedback is invaluable to us learning how to work effectively with our puppies in different settings.

These last two classes, as our pups have gotten older, have longer attention spans, and can do more, have been especially valuable for me because there were a lot of new techniques introduced that I can take home and work on: waiting at the gate, heeling, heeling vs let's go, not every dog is an immediate playmate, ignore/walk away from the pup when it is jumping/begging for treats, offer praise without offering a treat, etc.

It is such a joy to attend puppy class! To watch the pups progress week to week and to know that we are all motivated to work with our puppies outside of class because of the foundation that was built during class.

I am excited to move forward with Tazz with solid knowledge and skills...that is, my solid knowledge and skills to teach her correctly.

My Sophie is a shy bully, sounds odd doesn't it? I never realized it until I brought her to Judy's for some socialization for this busy boxer girl. Judy helped me understand that my dog is shy and potentially fearful in new situations. You have heard the old saying, 'The best defense is a good offense.' I learned that my job is to understand her personality and love the personality that I have. In addition the exposure at Judy's training center helped us to teach Sophie not to bully smaller or weaker dogs and develop a dog that is more socially confident. Sophie is a better behaved dog and I am a more educated owner.

Remy is my second dog. He is a 130 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback. At three and a half years, Remy is beautiful, gentle, well-behaved and socializes amazingly well with other dogs, young children, and groups of people. He is at ease in most situations, meaning he is habituated to all kinds of noises, stimulation, and happenings. I give Judy Granberg a huge amount of credit: for working with me so I could understand and train Remy and for working with Remy so he learned everything from commands to proper behavior. He started with Judy at 3 months and has been a regular ever since. Judy calls him the Gentle Giant and there is much love between them.

Riley was my very first dog and I was very ignorant. Like Remy, he was also well-behaved. But he was socialized only to me. He startled easily, growled at strangers, and would not willingly tolerate my friends. Basically, he was stand-offish. I had a trainer but she was old school: use a firm hand and you're the boss and he's the dog.

Judy is very new school. She studies dogs' behavior both intuitively and academically and imparts this wisdom to us owners. She takes care to to scrutinize the group dynamics of the pack and makes changes constantly to guarantee your dog's safety and well-being. She protects, trains, and guides each dog.

There are many other benefits that Judy provides: help selecting dogs (Judy worked with me before I even chose Remy), books and articles, medical advice, and the best boarding accomodations for which one could ask.

But the best part is that you get to talk to Judy!

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Judy has been a lifesaver for our yellow lab, Daisy. We started with her last August when Daisy was eight weeks old, and have attended puppy training classes and bi-weekly doggy daycare. Daisy is a completely different dog because of Judy! She was a "Marley wanna-be" and has now found her manners. We have two daughters so there's always kids at the house. Daisy loves to play with the kids, and because we started early with socialization at The Granberg Training Center, I've never had to worry about Daisy's behavior with other kids. Daisy is a wonderful addition to our family, and it's all because of Judy! Her support when Daisy enterend into adolescence was invaluable, both with manners reinforcement, and ideas of how to handle the "adolescent behavrior". No one should raise a dog without the help of Judy!