Testimonials

• Carol Hein Creger understands dogs better than any other dog trainer I have worked with and was very successful at working with fear/aggression issues in my dog. I went through several trainers and training techniques that did not work out before contacting Carol. Carol correctly assessed his faults and found a successful training program for him where other trainers had failed. Most people would have given up on this dog but as far as I'm concerned Carol saved his life and allowed him to be my companion and keep his forever home. Thank you Carol!
  - Bonnie T., Chicago, Illinois
• I just finished ABC II and was sad to see it end. I've taken 3 or 4 classes from Carol and LOVED each one. She's a fabulous trainer with lots of knowledge but more importantly to me, trains with obvious care for both dogs and their people, does it with a sense of humor and left me feeling so positive about the training that I intend to continue with many more classes. I've taken lots of classes in other venues, but this is the best!!
  - Paula C.
• "I was so excited to find a Canine Good Citizen class in our area. Carol was a great trainer and really helped me with the issues I was having with my dog. She is also so welcoming and invites people to come back anytime they need help without needing to officially join a class, and is always offering assistance. My dog passed his CGC test at the end of the class thanks to Carol!"
  My favorite thing about AnnaBelle's training is the "Friendly staff!!!! Great atmosphere and so helpful. Even in the CGC class, Carol was encouraging of everyone and so helpful with any issue a dog may have had."
  - Gabi M.
  
  
• Carol Hein-Creger is wonderful!!! Carol obviously read my info sheet prior to class and remembered I had checked that Teddy was both people and dog fear reactive, she specifically asked me about that during class-people-dog introduction time. Carol knew we do agility and had other training. She keyed-in on my problems with Teddy zooming and my desire to curb that and keep him with me on course. OH, so many other pluses to her class. There was even a very dog aggressive big dog on a prong collar there, I didn't feel panic fear, I felt that Carol was in complete control. Carol had an unexpected HUGE BONUS, she had two men assistants last night. That's exactly what Teddy needs, Carol keyed in on that too and made time to work specifically with Teddy, me, and Mike to get Teddy to approach, sit near, "get" food off the floor at Mike's feet, walk around Mike, and finally even touch my hand and Mike's hand. I'm speechless. It was so good. Toward the end of the class Teddy was even lying down on his Mutt Mat at my feet. I'm so thankful, I'm teary-eyed. Teddy and I (mostly me) have lots to work on, I wrote notes when I got home, but somehow I feel more confident that we will succeed now. Carol's whole persona is positive, soothing and calming, which I need to calm and reassure me as an over protective Mommy of a tiny dog.
  
  Connie
• Hi Carol!
  We have enjoyed your teaching style, patience, and approach to training. Sophie has been in FOUR other training classes (none of which we completed because we were unsatisfied with them) and she has never been successful. This is huge for her! So if you are teaching an upcoming class she might excel in I would greatly appreciate hearing about it.
  Takara
• I have taken classes from Carol before and they have always been excellent. My dogs have been rescues and needed extra socialization which the classes provided. I ended up with social, happy and secure dogs. It allowed me to take them out in public and to the dog park. Thank you.
  - Theresa Pietrzak
• My dog is getting more and more outgoing. Carol has been very helpful about showing me the tricks to get my dog with short legs to have to do what I want to get the treats. Lily has also never played with any toys and she sniffed the ones Carol put out one night so I tried a couple of them and she is having a ball playing with them.
  - Margie Roggelin
• The course did a good job of setting us up to be able to deal with any problem behavior.
  - S. Adler
• I've raved to the vets about how impressed I was with the puppy class and the results we got from the training.
  - Martha B.
• I loved the classes I took at AnnaBelle's through Canine Training Center. Carol is an excellent instructor and has great suggestions if you get stuck. I can't wait to take another class.
  - Tanya W.
• The most helpful thing I learned was "that consistency is the key to a well trained dog and that even small things we do affect the dog's behavior.
  - Barb M.
• Excellent choice of classes with a highly professional, credentialed staff. Readily available with assistance when needed. I would not consider using any other facility.
  - Sue B.
• The most helpful thing I learned was "to remain patient and calm when training and that the dog did not understand what you wanted them to do at first. We did an exercise where someone came in and we had to get them do to something and it was very enlightening. That has assisted us in all of our training efforts!
  - Amy G.
• Our favorite place to play and learn! I started with AnnaBelle's for the doggy day care and have now completed 2 classes with Carol (Refined Canine and Agility Builds Confidence). I couldn't be happier with the results from her classes. We love the doggy daycare too - nothing beats a worn out and happy dog! ... I would highly recommend AnnaBelle's to anyone!
  -Julia on Google
• Annabelle's is GREAT!!!!!!! My Golden Retriever and I attended this class not knowing what to expect. I had never been to a training class. We were welcomed at the door by friendly staff who made sure my dog and I were both comfortable. I took carol's follow my lead class which i found enjoyable and informative. My dog will be attending many more classes here in the future. I highly recommend coming here for all your doggy needs!
  -Tiffany on Google
• I have taken multiple classes through the Canine Training Center and at the end of each and every session my dane has shown Marked improvements. Erinn and Carol work with you, help you identify problems, and then find ways for you to fix them with your dog in an easy to understand and practical approach. After adopting my dane (who was reactive with little training) less than 3 months prior and attending a 6 week canine good citizens class he passed his CGC test and went on to pass his therapy dog international test. His rescue can't believe what a different dog he has become! Better yet, he adores the trainers -- which speaks highly of their ability to not only get results, but do so in a positive manner.
  -Jamie on Yelp
• AnnaBelle's is a truly wonderful place for pets and their people. Carol  the best trainers in Lansing and the staff of Annabelle's are professional but treat everybody like family.
  -Dr. Joyce on Google
• My Vizsla and I have taken 2 classes from Carol Hein-Creger at AnnaBelle's and have enjoyed them both! I enjoyed the people who worked there so much that I started putting her in day care a few times a month. I love the web cam on the website as it gives me a chance to peek in on her while she's there. My puppy absolutely loves her time there. She comes home happy and tired. Few things are better than a pooped out Vizsla!! I highly recommend AnnaBelle's!
  -AnaBean23 on Google
• We started out the year very nervous about how our reactive dog would act with a new baby in the house, not to mention an upcoming move. Ellie was leash-reactive and had been aggressive towards people and other dogs when she felt threatened. We were afraid we would have to rehome her as her behavior was outside our ability to manage. Thank goodness we found the flyer for Refined Canines!!! :) Through the course of working with Erinn and Carol in that class, we saw Ellie transform from an unknown quantity into an incredibly well-behaved, pleasant companion. Following up with Agility has just completed the transformation. She is such a good dog now that our whole (not-dog-friendly) family is jealous of us and makes hints that they would like to steal her away :) She has been perfect with the baby and is very well-mannered in public. No more aggression towards people or dogs!!! We have absolutely no doubts at all that the classes we took with Erinn and Carol were exactly what we needed to understand and manage her behavior, as well as build her confidence so she can handle new situations with ease. We have seen her blossom into a great family (and agility!) dog over the past few months, and wanted an opportunity to thank Erinn and Carol for all their help.
  - Allison Eden, Jason Weller, and Ellie
• We were at our wit's end with our five month-old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy until Carol came to the rescue. From morning to night our adorable puppy would chew and mouth as though he were a piranha. It got to the point where our friends would not come over to the house because the only way our puppy would interact with them was by chewing their clothes, shoes, fingers or hands. Worried that we might not be able to manage a puppy that appeared to chew on 'autopilot,' we consulted our vet who recommended Carol. Because our puppy was particularly chewy, we boarded our puppy with Carol while she worked with him. Every day Carol worked closely with our puppy to teach him self control and to interact with people calmly without chewing. She also taught him to sit, drop to his tummy and to heel. When he returned to our home, Carol took the time to tutor all of us so that we could continue to reinforce the lessons he had learned. She even took the time to write down a checklist so that we could remember everything we needed to do. We only wish we had found Carol sooner. We love our 'new and improved' puppy. Thank You Carol!!!!!!!!!!!
  -Private Training Client
• I cannot say enough good things about Erinn and Carol. I adopted my Great Dane three months ago as a one yr old male with minimal training and some significant socialization issues. After some negative interactions with other dogs I was afraid to take him anywhere and was even nervous coming to dog classes.
   
  Erinn and Carol not only helped me work on Grover’s manners and socialization but also gave me the confidence to take him out in public. Not only did Grover pass his Canine Good Citizen’s test on his first try but he also plays well with other dogs and I love taking him everywhere with me! His foster parents think that we have accomplished what they would have previously deemed impossible for him.
   
  Even better, not only does Grover come to Annabelle’s for class to work on his manners and socialization skills but he also truly loves coming and absolutely adores Erinn – his ears perk up and tail starts wagging the minute he sees her. He always comes and leaves a happy dog. This speaks volumes of their ability to positively work with the dogs and get positive, if not amazing, results.
  -Jamie and Grover