Heritage Specialty Dogs dog to skittish to work as a service dog!!! Westfield North Carolina

Please be aware that Mary Walker and the gang from Heritage Specialty dogs are at it again. This time, they are using the above name. I am sure it is the same scam going on.

They recently placed two dogs in Canada and are now placing in NC again. Please think twice about them. Just a little FYI. 
 

1)  A protective dog is a problem in an assistance dog.  An assistance dog should never, ever, under any circumstances react aggressively in public.  To do so, is a violation of the ADA(they have specified that biting, growling and snapping are grounds for exclusion in the DOJ handout.)
2)  All service dogs, should, in my opinion, have no less than 300 hours of public access, 300 hours of basic/advanced obedience.
3)  All of my service dogs are individually tested by private dog trainers, who have no affiliation with my organization---this allows for an objective opinion on their training. 
4)  All records should be maintained professionally, and in given to the new owner during team training.
5)  Speaking of team training, it should last at least 10-21 days.  It is very, very hard work.
6)  If the dog was truly trained, then you should have video taped the dogs' training.  Occassionally 'owners'/'handlers' backslide on the upkeep of their dog.  This protects you, the trainer,from any future problems.
7)  Medical:  My opinion, dogs should be OFA hips/elbows, thyroid tested, cardiac tested, heartworm tested, fecal tested, prior to even starting training.  If they don't pass, get them out.  There are more dogs out there.
8)  I never, ever, ever training herding breeds or most working breeds as assistance dogs.  They always become over-protective, and never work out.  This is time held true statistic of any reputable organization.  CCI, PAWS, NEADS, LEADER DOGS, SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS.  There is only one Guide dog organization who still uses GSDs, and they have a very low success rate, and never place one with a first time handler---first timers get labs/goldens/poodles/ or crosses of those breeds. Don't believe me, ask them.

I do everything by contract form, my dogs are evaluated by other trainers, both before placement and during team training(public access test---which is my own, which puts the others out there to shame)

I also require that my owners complete, with a local trainer, basic/intermediate/advanced training within 1 yr of placement of the dog, or they loose the right to use my equipment/name.
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So, for those of you looking for an assistance dog for your child----do your research.

I personally worked with your first dog, Shadow. You came with your family to VISIT the dog. As soon as your son stepped out of the car he walked to the deck and began talking to me and petting Shadow. I had been told your son did not speak much at all, and only to you and his father, when he would. Because of his very outgoing manner I automatically assumed that this was your other child. Not until after we were inside, and your son was still talking, asking questions, and playing with Shadow did I realize this was the child I had been told about. Both you and your husband had to practically pick your jaws up off of the floor; because you were witnessing your son completely break out of his shell.

When it was time for your family to leave you got in your car, but came back and knocked on the door a few minutes later. YOU begged to take Shadow home that very day! Your child was talking, and you didn't want to lose that. It was explained to you that Shadow was NOT house trained at the time! I heard you say it, you said that you didn't care if Shadow ripped your house apart and shredded everything, YOU wanted to take him home right then! You were fully aware that Shadow was not ready to leave; and that was not sugar coated in any way. You still insisted on taking Shadow home with you.

I also happen to know that your son progressed greatly in school in a matter of a few months after taking Shadow home with you. YOU called several times telling us of all of the advancements your son was making and how well things were going.

Shadow is a very protective dog(that's not exactly the worse thing in the world) and is the reason for your second dog. At the time any training was being done with Sabbath I was not involved with him specifically; because my time was very strained with other things at that time. I can not say what condition he was in when he was delivered to you. Although I can tell you that we make every arrangement possible for a trainer- my employer, myself, or another trainer- to meet with you and work with your dog.

Let me make a suggestion to you. Try getting with the program, communicating with the company, and letting us in on the problems you are having! It's hard to help you if you tell us everything is going well and then blast the company's name behind our backs.

I'm very thankful there are a good number of people out there who don't believe everything that they read on the internet. Before you keep dragging the name of Heritage Specialty Dogs through the mud get your facts straight and put the whole story up here. This might make you look like the poor little innocent victim, but you and I both know the whole story. If you want to write things on the internet try letting the world know both sides and what really happened in this situation.

We know you're having fun on here. You probably don't think we're aware of what you are doing. We are WELL aware!

For anyone who believes this poster, contact the company! We can give you contact information for multiple people who will give you an accurate account of our services! We pride ourselves in being honest with our clients and over 15 years of professional services provided to people across the country and into Canada.

I personally worked with your first dog, Shadow. You came with your family to VISIT the dog. As soon as your son stepped out of the car he walked to the deck and began talking to me and petting Shadow. I had been told your son did not speak much at all, and only to you and his father, when he would. Because of his very outgoing manner I automatically assumed that this was your other child. Not until after we were inside, and your son was still talking, asking questions, and playing with Shadow did I realize this was the child I had been told about. Both you and your husband had to practically pick your jaws up off of the floor; because you were witnessing your son completely break out of his shell.

When it was time for your family to leave you got in your car, but came back and knocked on the door a few minutes later. YOU begged to take Shadow home that very day! Your child was talking, and you didn't want to lose that. It was explained to you that Shadow was NOT house trained at the time! I heard you say it, you said that you didn't care if Shadow ripped your house apart and shredded everything, YOU wanted to take him home right then! You were fully aware that Shadow was not ready to leave; and that was not sugar coated in any way. You still insisted on taking Shadow home with you.

I also happen to know that your son progressed greatly in school in a matter of a few months after taking Shadow home with you. YOU called several times telling us of all of the advancements your son was making and how well things were going.

Shadow is a very protective dog(that's not exactly the worse thing in the world) and is the reason for your second dog. At the time any training was being done with Sabbath I was not involved with him specifically; because my time was very strained with other things at that time. I can not say what condition he was in when he was delivered to you. Although I can tell you that we make every arrangement possible for a trainer- my employer, myself, or another trainer- to meet with you and work with your dog.

Let me make a suggestion to you. Try getting with the program, communicating with the company, and letting us in on the problems you are having! It's hard to help you if you tell us everything is going well and then blast the company's name behind our backs.

I'm very thankful there are a good number of people out there who don't believe everything that they read on the internet. Before you keep dragging the name of Heritage Specialty Dogs through the mud get your facts straight and put the whole story up here. This might make you look like the poor little innocent victim, but you and I both know the whole story. If you want to write things on the internet try letting the world know both sides and what really happened in this situation.

We know you're having fun on here. You probably don't think we're aware of what you are doing. We are WELL aware!

For anyone who believes this poster, contact the company! We can give you contact information for multiple people who will give you an accurate account of our services! We pride ourselves in being honest with our clients and over 15 years of professional services provided to people across the country and into Canada.