Training Success Stories

Training Success Stories

Customers tell us our training programs work

At White Fang Ventures, we know what’s most important to dog owners and that is how well our training system works in actual practice. Read on to learn more about how our canine "graduates" perform when navigating the pressure packed environment of actual dog shows and other real-world experiences.

Also check out our Reviews.

Seti and Navy Earn 2019 Basset Hound Club VCM Titles

Hound Dogs Navy and Seti — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

Navy and Seti both earned their Basset Hound Club of America Versatility Certificate Master (VCM) titles this past year. Sadly Seti passed away on December 31, 2019. Pictured is Seti's retirement photo, which I am so glad I did before his passing. 

Here is an excerpt from the Tally-Ho magazine article written by Freda Burks, Ph.D.

"Terri Ralenkotter has two new Versatility Certificate Mas­ter (VCM) boys! Navy has earned both the Versatility Certificate Excellent (VCX) and the VCM. Seti earned the VCM just prior to Terri losing her very special boy. Kudos to CH KasKade Dress Blues at Air Command VCD1 BN RAE RM TDU HH CA CGC TKN VCM (Navy) and CH Kaleidoscope Set in Stone VCD1 RAE OAJ OJP NFP SHH THD VCM (Seti)! I’ve asked Terri to write a special tribute to these boys as both have awed the Basset com­munity that understands the effort that goes into earning multiple titles on our Bassets.

At Nationals 2019, the BHCA board approved the cur­rent versatility program update as presented by the Versa­tility Committee. The program’s goal, from its inception in the late 1980s, has been to honor Bassets that are conformationally sound, that demonstrate using their noses as they were bred to do, and that can also work as part of a human/dog partnership team.

Seti and Navy have always been two different personalities, which helped them on their individual roads to the VCM.

Seti loved showing in any venue, the louder and more crowded the better. Seti was also a wonderful Therapy Dog with 10 years of service. [She] was my first Champion and together we spent many nights in hotels and on the road working on his other titles. He remained a showman in his later years, happily march­ing around the ring in veteran’s classes. Sadly, we unex­pectedly lost Seti on the day I mailed in his VCX points.

Navy is an entirely different personality. He was never a huge fan of the breed ring or crowds. While Seti’s style was slow and steady, Navy would barrel down the track, full speed ahead. Navy eas­ily finished his TD and has had some adventures in track­ing as well. Navy likes nothing more than to be with me, and that has served us well in the Rally, Agility and Obedience rings.

These two wonderful boys had two distinct personalities. However, a venue that they both shared as a team was in the field where they braced together during Hunting Performance Tests. This was proof of their shared “hound mentality.”

It has been an honor for me to have had both of these dogs in my life and I will forever be grateful for their breeders for giving me the opportunity to own such great hounds."

As of their earning the VCM, I believe they were #10 and #11 Bassets to earn this title from BHCA.

Stay healthy! I am hoping to work on some tracking and some nose work while this (COVID-19) is all going on. 

Terri

Terri, congratulations to you and your fabulous Hounds! It's been my genuine honor to work with you, Seti, and Navy over the years. I look forward to our next training session. Soon!  Matthew

Terri Ralenkotter & Matthew Duffy

Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:00

Congratulations, Stacey and Harry!

Winner Dog Harry — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

Congratulations to "Harry", registered name Foxmor's Foolish Pleasure CD, RN, CGC.

Harry won the Blue Grass Classic in Lexington, Kentucky on August 31 and September 2, 2019.

Harry's owner is Stacey Floyd, pictured with him and his award ribbon.

The Duffy's Dog Training Team

Thu, 09/05/2019 - 12:00

Congratulations Clara Markham and Juniper!

Juniper Showing at Competition — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

Congratulations to Clara Markham and her dog, Juniper 4 Point Major, a head and withers above the competition!

Announcing Ambrican Juniper CD, TD, RI, CGC.

Juniper is the winner of the Echo Hills Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show, Troy, Ohio

June 15, 2019

The Duffy's Dog Training Team

Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:00

Terri's Bassets Came Prepared

Basset Hound Dog Seti and Family — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

Matt, I had an exciting tracking weekend, handling 2 dogs to their TD. I know Beckie told you about her TD. Peach blazed along, really committed to the corners following our singular practice the Monday before (in the pouring rain) using huge rewards of cut up grilled cheese after the corners! She did her track of 450 yds in 5 minutes and the judge commented that “This was how it should be done.” Another comment to me was “You came prepared.” My hours on the treadmill and elliptical paid off since I also did the 450 yds in 5 minutes over some pretty rough field and didn’t die. 

Seti’s track was the first one of the day and was in a rolling field with short grass. He was enthusiastic to start and headed right on out and of course he went at his steady pace. His corners were very clean although the wind direction caused a brief problem where he overshot the second corner and I ended up standing on it, so I backed up and rescented him. He gave me a big stink eye and marched off on the correct path never looking back. On the final turn we were about 20 feet from the glove and he caught a cross wind coming through a break in the fence. So after about 5 minutes of standing there air scenting and ignoring my please to “find it,” I backed up and yelled for him and he came, I rescented and he headed right to the glove, grabbing it and throwing it a bit. The judge told me he was about to have a heart attack. I think we all were!

So, we did our 450 yds in 27 minutes. Seti earned his TD and this also earned him his AKC VCD1 (Versatile Companion Dog 1; Dog must have CD, TD, NAJ & NJP). Since Seti will turn 12 years of age on Feb. 28th this is a great accomplishment for him considering due to previous back injuries and now a heart condition, our training has been limited. This now makes him AKC/UKC CH Kaleidoscope Set In Stone VCD1 RAE SHH NFP OAJ OAP THD and he has previously earned his BHCA Versatility Certificate Excellent. Now he will move on to have fun in AKC Scent Work.

We started training with you in 2014 and the firm basics which you taught us paid off. 

On the TDX attempt, Navy sought out and found the tracklayer hiding behind her car after catching her scent off the first turn. He became agitated and upset when I tried to get him to go back to the start. In his mind he found her and was done. We tried to walk the track with the tracklayer but he was too upset and would not settle down, so I thought it best to not push the issue. The judge told me that even though he had to put “Quit Working” on the reason to fail, he said if he gets lost in the woods with Alzheimer’s, send this dog to find him. Maybe next time we will get that elusive TDX. 

Thanks for all your help and hopefully we can get a class in if it ever stops being ice and snow and rain.

Terri Ralenkotter

Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:00

Peach's Victory

Dog Peach and Family — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

Peach finally earned her TD title on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. She gave a stellar performance with Terri handling her. The track was 450-yards long and it took all of five minutes from start to finish. Terri had to break into a trot to keep up with her.

She started enthusiastically on Sunday, making the first turn then kind of getting hung up on the second turn, which was in a depression. She was acting pretty wild, making a small circle of assurance and darting around. Then she made a bigger circle of assurance and committed to her corner, pulling Terri up a hill. I was watching from the car and every time the judges followed I felt good. Cresting the hill, she made another turn and drug Terri along a ridge before heading down toward a road, where she downed on the glove. When Terri picked that thing up and waved it in the air, I thought I would cry.

The judge said later that he figured the scent would pool in the second turn and was complimentary on how quickly and efficiently Peach handled it. Said it was a pleasure to watch her work.

I give my thanks to you, Matt, for your patience and belief she could do it. I believed she could too, just never could seem to get it together until I admitted that I was the weak link in the chain. 

So that’s it. Celebrate another victory for Duffy’s!

Thanks again, Matt!

Beckie Russo

Sun, 02/17/2019 - 12:00

Millie's Doing Well With Baby

It’s been over a year since my dog Millie finished her training, so I’m not sure if you guys remember us. We had David. Millie was very reactive to people, other dogs, kids and on top of that I was pregnant so we were very concerned about her ability to stay in our home once the baby arrived.

Our daughter is a year old and while I will never fully trusted Millie around her, she’s been wonderful with her.

Thank you so much. I know without you guys, we would had to give Millie up.

Sydney Miller

Tue, 10/16/2018 - 12:00

Dog Aggression Seminar Helped Jax

My name is Casey and my 16-month-old German Shepherd, Jax, and I were invited to participate in the dog aggression seminar. Jax has had explosive dog aggression since he was about six months old. I had no idea how to control it, and it was becoming more difficult to control him as he grew.

He had spent some time at Duffy’s working on this. I can walk him into the building and know that he will not have an outburst there because he knows that it will not be tolerated by the staff. But he was still unmanageable on walks in our neighborhood.

Matt set up a time for me to bring Jax to the training center but not in the building. We did our training on the road out front. Matt told me the things that we were going to accomplish that day, and it included getting very close to another dog and handler. Matt stayed back and instructed me from afar. After a few passes, we were very close to another dog and there had been no outbursts or barking at all.

We were fortunate enough to have two others dogs and their owners that day to practice with. By that time, Matt had given me confidence in myself and my dog so that I could walk Jax near another dog and know what to look for and correct him the right way. We did it with ease.

I have since taken Jax out into our neighborhood with more confidence, and we have had some nice walks. We are not quite all the way there yet, but I now have high hopes for my sweet boy.

I couldn’t have done it without the help of Matt, Josh and David, all of whom endured the heat with me that day.

Thank you and I look forward to doing it again very soon.

Casey

Fri, 08/24/2018 - 12:00

Doberman Lover Appreciates Matt Duffy

Dawne Gee — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

I am a dog lover! Actually, I love all animals but I don’t know that you can train a cat without it calling you a few names. I have had 3 WONDERFUL Dobermans. They were wonderful simply because of their disposition but also because they were well behaved. Maybe I should say well-trained. All of my babies had their time with Matt Duffy. So did Mom.

I think the dogs got it right and sometimes Mom would mess up but I tried. I found that it was a better relationship when I was not upset because they were jumping on guest, or running away, or tearing something up. Just like a child, you teach your dog to be good because you love them and you don’t want them to get hurt. No, I did not compare a child to a dog. I compared a dog to a child. They are our family. At least in my family they are. All of my dogs were trained by Matt. Allof my dogs will be trained by Matt. I have to add a disclaimer here…. “No son that does not mean we are getting another dog soon!”

I appreciate Matt’s love and respect not only for his pets but for animals as a whole. I appreciate the help he gave my family. Two and four legged.

Dawne Gee, WAVE 3 News Anchor

Thu, 06/28/2018 - 12:00

JMeka, Kiya, Santana, Bloo and Jasmine Are All Learning!

I have one dog doing training at Duffy’s Dog Training. Meka was no less than 80 percent improved our first day! The first DVD is a great learning and teaching tool at home. I have four other dog “kids” that are learning from my training and the DVD. It is wonderful to see the improvements all of the kids are learning. The information on the DVD is so on target. I now walk and am not dragged down the street, all in just two days. The DVD is a tool that no one should do without.

Matthew Duffy: I can’t praise or recommend you enough!

Thank you

Joan Webb

Thu, 04/26/2018 - 12:00

Proud Fur-Parents Thanks to Duffy's

To Matt, David and Kathy:

What you have done with Plato is simply amazing! We now have a dog we can have very leisurely walks with, who comes immediately when called, that children are not afraid to pet, which friends say they’d like to have!! We are proud fur-parents due to all your work with Plato. Every time we speak with friends who have pets with behavior issues, we tell them about your program.

Our whole-hearted thanks and appreciation.

Kevin and Maria

Thu, 08/03/2017 - 12:00

Daisy is Less Fearful

Daisy is doing just fine and I have been working with her with loud noises and she is doing better, and she isn’t as afraid. We will bring her back in the spring, when the weather is nice to finish her training. She is very obedient in the doctor offices, even with their service dogs.

We will see you in the spring. Have a safe and blessed holiday.

Cathy and Chrissy

Fri, 05/19/2017 - 12:00

Zelda Achieved Canine Good Citizen Award

Matt, thanks so much for giving me a better understanding of my dog and helping Zelda achieve her canine good citizen award. I feel like we have a good foundation now and will continue to train her on my own and hopefully it won’t be too long before we can come back and learn more great stuff. Tell your wonderful staff thank you as well.

Amy

Tue, 06/14/2016 - 12:00

Congratulations to Terri Ralenkotter and Navy

Dog Navy, His Handler and Family Members — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

From Terri Ralenkotter,:

I know Clara emailed you about Navy, but I wanted to thank you personally for all your help. I really hated pulling Track 1. I wanted him to be a bit hungrier, and it did show because he fiddle-farted around between the first two flags before settling in. Had one brief wander off on a deer path, but he abandoned it pretty fast knowing breakfast did not wait at the end of it.

Now I must decide, should I keep going for distance to go for TDX or work on some variable surfaces to go for TDU in preparation for VST.

Maybe you can ponder it before our next lesson. I am very happy to be able to give his breeder, Gene, the happiness of now having a tracking titled dog in his kennel name.

Terri

Message From Matthew Duffy:

It is no small accomplishment to achieve an American Kennel Club’s Tracking Title on the first attempt.

An appropriate training regimen, dedication to the sport, and a strong bond between the dog and handler all melded together to make the title attainable.

Terri and Navy are wasting no time in pursuing their next title: AKC’s Tracking Dog Excellent.

The best of luck to you!

The Duffy’s Dog Training Team

Matthew Duffy

Mon, 11/09/2015 - 12:00

Show Dog

Hi Matt,

You may remember keeper and I. He is the black Brussels griffon that did not like conformation judges. He was not ready for our national specialty in March but I continued working with him. This past weekend Keeper was Best of Breed at the Paducah, KY Kennel Club Show on Sunday. He is now showing again without showing aggression. I owe you lots of thanks for your help and expert advice. Thank you again.

P.S. He earned two more points at this show and now has 10 points.

Keeper

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 12:00

Camp Canine at Luther Luckett and Duffy’s Dog Training Center Pay Off

Dog Murphy and Handler Outdoors — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

David (Benson), I hope your holiday season has been wonderful and you are looking forward to the new year. I just wanted to thank you again for all your efforts through Duffy’s Dog Training Center and the Camp Canine program at Luther Luckett.

We spoke last summer about our adopted 2-year-old shepherd/hound mix, Murphy, and he has continued to prove himself a well-balanced, driven and lovable dog. If it helps to jog your memory, Murphy was relocated from Kentucky to Massachusetts and now lives with my girlfriend and I in the Bay State.

Per your recommendation, we have read Matt Duffy’s books, practice his training methods, and have managed to (mostly) break Murphy’s remaining bad habits of dog-focused aggression, chasing wildlife, and barking in the crate. Murphy’s knowledge of the basic manners and commands he learned through Camp Canine made his transition into our home very smooth. He always impresses neighbors, friends, and family with his wonderful temperament and focus, and has even learned to behave off-leash.

I have attached a picture of Murphy hanging out with my girlfriend’s horse, Apache, at the barn, and another of him sitting calmly while being confronted by a squirrel at Boston Garden several months ago (click on each of them to enlarge). The latter drew quite a crowd due to his calm focus. Please pass our gratitude on to Matt Duffy and the rest of the team, as well as to the inmates of Camp Canine and Oldham County Humane Society. Feel free to share the photos with all of them. It is a testament to the exceptional work you all do.

Best Regards,

Matt & Brielle

Matthew Connell

Sat, 01/03/2015 - 12:00

Obedient School Worked Wonderfully

My dog had me wrapped around his “little paw”. I was afraid to discipline the dog and he knew it. I started out caging the dog and after 8 months he decided to NOT use his cage anymore and I was tired of fighting with him and he knew it. I took my dog to Matt Duffy’s obedience school for two weeks and I was trained to handle my dog.

My dog is a “pleasure” now to have around the house and he now knows I am the boss. I have NEVER spanked, hit or hurt my dog even when he was disobedient. I have USED the techniques learned at Matt Duffy’s training school and they have worked wonderfully. I would definitely recommend anyone to have their dogs trained by Matt and his staff.

Sharon A. Meredith

Wed, 09/24/2014 - 12:00

Seti — a Basset hound — Earns RAE

Seti Jumping Hurdles in Competition — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

This is Seti, a male Basset hound that just earned his RAE on Monday, Aug. 8, 2014. He is the second BHCA Versatility Title holder in history to earn that title.

Seti and his owner, Teresa Ralenkotter, are also receiving tracking instruction from Matthew Duffy. They are doing the obedience work on their own.

“I want to congratulate Seti and Terry for their accomplishments and the wonderful work they continue to do,” said Duffy.

Matthew Duffy

Tue, 08/19/2014 - 12:00

Uno's Story

Dog Uno and Family — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

When we purchased Uno, our German Shepherd Dog from a reputable breeder with impressive credentials, the idea that our adorable, eager-to-learn puppy would become an aggressive 18 month-old dog would have seemed absolutely ridiculous. But this is exactly what happened.

In fact, his aggressive tendencies began to show at the time when I (Sue) was in the final stages of preparing him for his first AKC obedience trial. My show-ready, supposedly “obedient” dog began to growl and bark, for no apparent reason, at our teen-age son, Alex. We just couldn’t believe it and didn’t know what to make of it.

We had owned a German Shepherd before that I had successfully shown in the obedience ring, but we had neither personally experienced such seemingly unprovoked aggression nor heard about it at the breed club to which we belonged. We and all the dog-savvy people we talked to were at a loss for how to deal with Uno’s behavior. None of their suggestions worked and the situation got progressively worse.

Uno eventually bit both Alex and my husband, Tauras, who then became the primary target of his aggression. Only Nick (our other son) and I were able to safely approach and handle our dog. It was at this point that we were referred to Matthew Duffy.

Matt’s systematic approach to shaping canine behavior and his ability to teach both theory and technique to us is the reason why Uno is still with us. Although he continues to wear a muzzle, slip collar, and leash at all times in the house, his aggression has subsided to the point where he is being slowly reintegrated back into the family. We are currently in the fourth month of what has been a long and difficult journey with plenty of ups and downs. However, we have hope where we thought there was none—and that makes all the difference.

The Liubinskas Family

Sun, 07/27/2014 - 12:00

Handler praises Duffy’s Dog Training for immediate changes to dogs

German Shepherd Dog Lieutenant Alexandria — Jefferson, IN — Duffy's Dog Training Center

My youngest son and I brought our two German Shepherds in for a free evaluation (our female over enthusiastically greeted people and animals). In less than one hour at Matthew Duffy’s Training Center (Duffy’s Dog Training Center in Jeffersonville, IN) with trainers acting out different real-life situations and training through the entire process, we walked out with two obedient dogs and a plan for a higher level of training.

We came back for the “Confidence Course” and had a great time! Our Lieutenant Alexandria was trained to follow directions around the agility course, and different trainers gave her lessons on focusing on us and not the other many various dogs there.

And when we went home, for the first time ever, she did not upset and attack the other dogs with licks and love. But she rather focused on us just like at Matthew Duffy’s Training Center.

We are so pleased with what they have done for us, we are coming back for every level of education they recommend!

Joseph Michael Kerr

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 12:00

Trigger Has Become a Member of the Family

Kat,

Words can’t express how much we appreciate your help with Trigger. He continues to improve and has become a member of our family! We couldn’t have done it without you! Do you miss your “Trigger action”?

Thanks again

Andrea, Joe, Andrew, Ben and Trigger

Sun, 03/16/2014 - 12:00

Pitbull Trooper

Matt, David, Kat, and Josh,Kat,

Jessica and I would like to thank you all so much. Because of the wonderful work you have done with Trooper. You are helping us change the view of people about the Pitbull. Once again, thank you so very much.

Larry, Jessica and Trooper

Sun, 11/10/2013 - 12:00

Dogs Passed the CGC Test

We just want to thank everyone, especially Matt and Dave for helping out dogs pass the CGC test. You have taught us to be better handlers and we plan to continue working with them. What a difference you have made and we can’t thank you enough!!

Lester, Leah, Baily and Piper

Sun, 08/25/2013 - 12:00

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