Service Dog Tutor

I contacted Jean Cary at the Service Dog Tutor in January of 2016 to explore the possibility of training my dog as a service dog. I spoke to her on the phone to see if we were a good fit and inquired about an initial session. She immediately informed me that I would need to pay her $ 600 in advance for 4 sessions. I thought that was odd because we haven’t met yet, don’t even know if my dog has the type of personality required of a working dog or if we are a good match. But I thought ok, her Unilocal reviews are great so lets try. I said I would be paying in cash and will pay her in full the first time we meet and agreed on a day the following week. Also, she’s unwilling to meet on weekends or drive to your place like other trainers. A few days later, she called me back saying she has since picked up a couple more clients and that I will need to send her a check in order to reserve the appointment that we already set up and agreed to. In my mind, this was red flag number 2. I told her we already had an agreement and also that I don’t write checks. She continued to insist and started asking very inappropriate and bizarre questions like «what you don’t have money in your checking account?» Another red flag but I said ok, I’ll give you a credit card number which she said she doesn’t accept. Finally, very reluctantly I said I would send her a check which I did. At our first session she made me sign all these forms and waivers and I felt like I was buying a car or something. She seemed to know about dogs but I quickly learned that her training method is extremely rigid and non flexible. I got the impression that it was her way or no way. Her method is completely based on giving dogs treats to get them to do what you want them to do and thats not what I wanted. The other method is called «social reward» and takes a bit more work but engrains the behavior more deeply and creates more loyalty in the dog– my opinion. But I tried to be open minded so my wife and I went to the second session as well. But halfway thru, we were working on basic skills and I didn’t quite understand something and asked her several questions. At one point her reaction to my question was
«for the 5^th time #####» I was taken back and shocked but just tried to absorb it. After going home and thinking about it, I put our sessions on hold and found another trainer. In fact, I read online that he was Jeans mentor at one point. He is wonderful and I will be reviewing him very soon.
I subsequently sent her an email asking her to return 2 prepaid sessions because she verbally agreed she will if our team wasn’t going to work. No reply, no refund.

Jean has been instrumental in helping us train our vivacious labrador retriever. He is a beautiful, loving dog but is extremely smart and with that, comes lots of curiosity, energy, and constant attention. Jean has helped us focus his energy and provide fun games to train and work him. We have enjoyed working with Jean and have tons of tools to help channel our pup’s energy in a positive direction. I highly recommend Jean and her services!

I own a very beautiful Aussie Minnie that is very young and energetic. She is beautifully colored and has a motherly intuition. (Yes it’s a girl) We’ve had the pleasure of working with Jean in the hopes of making her a service dog and she has worked wonders on my pup. We are now a little past ten training sessions and the dog is picking things off the ground and handing them to me with ease. Socks, shoes, beanies, the newspaper, you get the idea. Jean is very professional and is a natural whisperer which comes easy because of her calm and assertive demeanor. We will continue to use her services and recommend using her to train your dog for whichever level of training you so desire. In addition she is very thorough with end of training notes sent via email and always makes sure you have some homework to do. You won’t be disappointed, but with that said you as an owner also have to make daily 15min training sessions. School and training isn’t without homework.

Taz has really come a long way since we started working with Jean. And me, too. :-) She has been very helpful and has always been available to consult with via phone or email in between sessions. She’s very patient with my many questions and concerns, and always manages to reassure me and help me feel more confident.

Jean is the best thing that has happened to us in learning and understanding our flaws, not our beloved dog Chance.
She is phenomenal in her patience, care, knowledge and linking you with add’l resources.
She is astute enough to know if you don’t follow through, so you get what you pay for.
In fact, you get way more than you pay for in many ways! highest marks. If you are in the area… she should be your number one choice.

Jean Cary is a wonderful trainer. She is creative, patient, and very knowledgeable. We are working with her to train our young pup, Isaac, to be a service dog for our daughter, a ten year old stroke survivor. At times there are TWO puppies learning from Jean during our sessions, so Jean’s humor and flexibility are invaluable! We recommend Jean (and her occasional assistant, Ranger) very highly, indeed.

I have studied under Jean Cary. Her demeanour is complementary to my manner of learning, in that she is patient and has just the right amount of humor. Her timing is right on the money for both the human and canine student. I have been able to go from handling a juvenile dog that bolts at every opportunity to handling a dog with excellent recall, self regulation, and self descipline. He self corrects to the appropriate behaviour. He is a fine example of Jean’s step by step methodology that was used to create a solid foundation for discipline. The training has oriented him into preparing for pet assisted therapy and service work. I could not be more pleased, or have more self confidence than after having studied with Jean. She is a natural teacher, and it is fun to be with her during the class. I endorse her completely!!!