Testimonials

I met Linnea when she moved to Cheyenne about 2 years ago [summer of 2018].  I was immediately drawn to her personality.  As a trainer myself, I invited her to teach some classes with me. I was impressed with her energy and the way she worked with clients and their dogs.  Her positive attitude, her knowledge of how dogs learn and her experience makes her one of the best trainers I have met in the many years.  When I had to retire, I knew she was the one I wanted to take over the classes at Cheyenne Parks and Recreation, that I taught for many years. I recommend her to anyone who has behavior issues or just needs general companion training with their dog.  If you have a dog, you need to visit with Linnea. I am blessed to know her as a trainer and a friend.

Marchia Johansen

Doggie Do-Right Cheyenne

 Linnea did a wonderful job training Sonny, our Scottish terrier. We started training with her when he was 6 months old and it really helped him become a well-behaved dog. She also got him ready to take his Canine Good Citizen test, which he passed! Scotties are notoriously stubborn and hard to train, but she did a great job with Sonny. She started with the basics, like sit, down, and stay, and worked up to more complex training like extended down-stays. She also trained us in how to properly handle him. She is a patient, caring and experienced dog trainer. Sonny always looked forward to seeing her and having his weekly training sessions. He was even sad when he didn't get to see his friend! We can’t recommend her enough for dog training. If you want someone who can help you have a well-trained dog and also bond with your best doggie friend, Linnea is your trainer. She truly has a love for dogs and it shows in her training methods. - John and Aimee 

We adopted a 1-year old Border Collie (Addy) in October 2018, and a 5-month-old German Shepard (Carly Mae) in November 2018. Both are high energy dogs and need lots of exercise to expend that energy. We were getting them out daily for a long walk from the beginning. But by late winter in 2019 it was increasingly difficult for one of us to take both dogs on a walk. They would pull and if they saw a rabbit or squirrel they would try to take off after it. the

decision to find a trainer finally happened when the dogs pulled so hard I lost the leashes and my balance and fell.

In May of 2019 we contacted Linnea Nicely-Dix to assist us with training the dogs (and us). Linnea met with us for 6 training sessions. In each session, she taught the dogs new skills and taught us how to reinforce those skills between sessions. Immediately, we saw progress. The

dogs learned all the basics, like sit, down, stay and come, and then we moved on to walking with a loose leash, heel, leave it, and go place. We worked with long leash training and off

leash training with e collars, which was important to us as we wanted to be able to take the dogs hiking and camping.

It has been over a year since the dogs went through the training sessions with Linnea, and we are so happy we went through the training. Every time we are out with the dogs, we get compliments on how well behaved they are. We can tell the dogs “down stay” and walk up and down the aisle at the store to find what we are looking for and they will not move. We can

walk the dogs without them pulling or taking off after a rabbit or squirrel. Often when walking in the park we just throw the leashes over their backs and they will walk right beside us, stopping and sitting whenever we stop.

We have taken the dogs out to hiking numerous times off leash. They love the freedom of being able to run and explore, and we love that they immediately respond to the come command whether that is a whistle or page on their e-collars. We took them hiking this weekend and they quickly learned the boundary area we wanted them to stay within. It was an

awesome experience to be able to have our dogs with us and safe. We hang out in our unfenced front yard with the dogs. They know they boundary is the sidewalk

and even if we are playing ball and the ball goes on the sidewalk or street, they will wait for one of us to go get it.

Having dogs this well behaved is such a pleasure! Linnea is an amazing trainer. There are not enough words to express how the training she gave us and the dogs have enriched our lives.

We highly recommend Linnea Nicely-Dix to anyone and everyone considering a trainer!

Rita and Brad 

I have enjoyed a working relationship with Linnea Nicely-Dix for 13 years. We first met while she was conducting private training classes in the space above our hospital. I was impressed from the very beginning with her professionalism and knowledge, but it wasn’t until I started her training classes with my personal pets that I

realized the skill level she had. She is one of the most gifted dog trainers I have ever met, and in my field, I have met quite a few. Not only does she possess an uncanny ability to diagnose the behavior problems of the canines she handles, but she is also able to reach her human clients in a way that really enables them to succeed in the

training of their pets.

In the years I have worked with Linnea, I have had 7 of my own dogs go through training with her. Three of them were adult rescues that came with a variety of physical and behavioral issues that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle. Without her, there is no doubt I would have given up on them. I have witnessed her ability to work with dogs that have aggression (dog and human), extreme insecurity, food issues, and many more. She has been able to

help them overcome those issues in every instance. I have also personally seen her during classes with some of her

physically challenged clients, and she is remarkable.

While I have not used her services for canine massage therapy, I do have clients at the hospital who have. They have nothing but incredible things to say about the difference her work has done for their pet. In closing, I would like to recommend Linnea for any position for which she may be applying. She is honest, reliable, hard-working and one of the best in the business. Wyoming is gaining an expert, and we in Virginia Beach are mourning our loss!

Stephanie G. Devoles, Practice Manager

Virginia Beach Veterinary Hospital

I write this letter regarding Linnea Nicely-Dix, who has been my service dog trainer for five years. 

I first met Linnea when I moved to Virginia Beach, VA, with my fourth service dog, who was then an 8-year-old German Shepherd. I had the police and Animal Control in my living room my first day here.

Fortunately, a local handed me Linnea's card. Knowing nothing about me or my dog, she came within an hour and had the situation under control. I lost that dog soon afterwards to a sudden illness. Most of us

know how hard losing our dogs can be, but losing an active working service dog is even more difficult. After his passing, I began to fall more frequently resulting in serious injuries requiring hospitalization.

I consulted with Linnea when I was offered my dream German Shepherd puppy, Lone Wolf. Starting at 10 weeks of age, he was in Linnea’s home twice weekly for training and social exposure, and sometimes for

up to three months at a time depending on the length of my hospital stays. Linnea would train him in her home and then bring Lone Wolf up the hospital or rehab to spend several hours or even days at a time

with me. As he matured and was able to perform more tasks for me, he could stay longer.

It was only through Linnea’s unique insight, generosity, and brilliance regarding dog training that I now am the proud owner of my dream service dog. “Lone Wolf", now a four-year-old German Shepherd, is entirely

the creation of Linnea. Without her calm sense of confidence and patience, I never would have had the courage to have my own service dog again. It has been only through her and her family’s complete,

unwavering professional commitment that I have my service dog today. Her uncanny insight into connecting how my dog might help in a situation enlightened my own ability to cope with my ongoing

disability.

I now must use a wheel chair almost full time. It has been only through Linnea's education and development of mostly me that I have a service dog able to carry out any task set upon him with the same

patience and confidence as Linnea herself. She is a well-respected of the professional community here in Virginia Beach and the surrounding cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Suffolk.

Lone Wolf is admired and respected everywhere I go. I live alone and only my service dog makes it possible. I would never have dreamed of taking on this task without Linnea. Wherever she trains, it is their gain. I hope she puts in writing all of her “pearls of wisdom”, so as to help develop much needed service dogs. 

Eileen Mahon and Lone Wolf