April 20, 2007

Piazza's Professional Dog Training School

2236 Albany Road

Frankfort, NY 13340

Dear Mr. Piazza,

I came to you with hopes and dreams. Hope, that I could start my own business, as I was tired of getting up to go to work to a job that I hated day in and day out. And dreamt that I wanted to pursue my passion. I thought I had what it took to be a good trainer. But I didn’t want to be just good; I wanted to be a “great” trainer.

I went to another trainer and was not satisfied with what I was taught. I should have just come to you in the first place and I could have been on my way already. Though I was unable to finish your course due to personal reasons, I understand more in the 10 weeks that I was there, than in the 8 years that I “thought” I knew what I was doing.

I love dogs of all breeds. I have a huge heart when it comes to people, their dogs and helping them. I wanted to be a trainer for the rewards of seeing a happy people with an obedient family pet, and not having to watch them take their unruly canine to the pound. To me, this type of work is priceless. But still, with that being said, it’s a lot of work!

I’ve learned that you just cannot slap a collar on a dog and expect it to know what to do. You have to teach it, and show it what you expect. You have to help the dog to understand what it did wrong so it knows why it’s being corrected.  I also learned that it’s not “what you say, but rather how you say it” to keep the dog motivated and wanting to learn. This is not only true for the dogs but their owners as well.

 Keeping it fun doesn’t make it seem like work, even though you are. I was extremely impressed with the ways that you handled the dogs and clients that entered your door. You made everyone very comfortable in you and your ability as a trainer. You were serious and always professional about training and made no puns about that, but you also kept it fun, relaxing and interesting.

Though I already knew that every dog had a different temperament, I didn’t know how to adjust the training to meet his or her personality. Now I can confidently say, that because of you, I can do this. You gave me the Ability, Belief and Confidence to Obedience train any canine that should require such the need.  I also understand that I still have a lot to learn, and NEVER to take on what I cannot do, to leave that, to the more experienced people, such as you.

I would highly recommend anyone who wants to be a dog trainer to seek you out and take your courses. You have the patience of a saint and are an excellent teacher. Your hands on training was the best! There is no better way to learn than to get right in it. You stood by my side and helped me when I needed it.

You also allowed me the confidence to be able to do it on my own, handle the dogs and the clients  and corrected me, without embarrassment to me or in front of your clients when I did something wrong. You taught what no amount of reading material or Internet course could possibly do. I have an understanding of the ins and outs of the business, that it’s not just all about the dogs, but the people, paperwork, and legalities.

 I do know, that there is only one Alpha, and it’s you!  I do still hope to someday be as successful as you, make a good living doing so and be able to provide for my kids and still be HAPPY doing it all.

Thank you for helping me get a little closer to my dream. But hold loosely onto to your leash, someday…the student, may surpass the teacher. :)

On a personal note, I would like to add that you have a wonderful family. In the weeks that I was there, they made me feel, as did you, comfortable, like I was part of “your” family like you’ve known me for years. Not,” just another client”.

 I’ve had some personal struggles with health, divorce and children, and you and your family were there for me, and no words could possibly express my thanks for that. The Piazza family are truly amazing people.

Sal, it was an honor and pleasure to be your student assistant, and your forever friend.

Yours truly,

Paula J. Russello