Client Testimonials

I teach and care for each and every animal as if he or she were my own. Below some of my wonderful clients have their say:

Millie the Standard Poodle

"Millie, my much-loved standard poodle girl, first became ill with Addison's disease when she was 2 1/2 years old.  Since then she has had a very rigorous schedule of medicines, meals and frequent "outs" and has survived in part because of my diligence and adherence to this schedule. As a retired R.N., I have found this challenging, most especially when I've had to leave her to attend to other family matters.  Along the way, there have been only a handful of people I have trusted to care for my girl at these times and I am convinced that they have played a key role in her survival and well being. Millie is approaching 11 years old - amazing considering the numerous health issues we deal with on a daily basis.  She was in her youth and is in her geriatric years an exuberant and loving soul. Marie-Claire took care of her when I had to leave to care for my own mother who was in hospice. When I returned home 2 weeks later, my girl was fit and happy as I left her, and I know this was entirely due to the care and love given by Marie-Claire. MC is not only very capable of handling difficult and needy animals but without the love she has given to my Millie I'm sure she would not be with me today.  You would be very lucky to have your pet in her care.  I am always happy to be a source of reference and recommendation regarding Marie-Claire's ability and outstanding service.  Please feel free to contact me at any time to assure you that your pet is in the best of care with her." 

Adrienne Queller, Rock Hill, South Carolina

Adrienne and her beloved Millie the Poodle

 Rags the Flat Coated Retriever

"After a great deal of research to find a dog with a good temperament with humans and other dogs, I brought our wonderful Flat Coated Retriever ‘Rags’ into our family.  He was everything we hoped for - loving, cute, eager, friendly with everyone and everyone loved him.  However as he grew, that very friendliness far from being an asset turned into a problem.  He jumped up at family members, visitors, adults and children, sometimes knocking them over.  He’s a very big dog. … He took us for a walk rather than the other way around, and because he didn’t listen to commands he would run off in the woods chasing animals.  I didn’t want to use force or shout so I tried Clicker Training.  I went to several different Dog Training Classes, and nothing really worked.  We were all very stressed, including the dog, whom we all loved dearly.  Then we discovered ‘Magic with Dogs,’ and Marie-Claire showed us how to quietly communicate with Rags so he understood what we wanted, understood good behavior, understood that he could have fun and relax without leaping up, chasing, running-off.  Now we have a really happy dog, a relaxed family and we really look forward to those long walks in the forest.  Thank you so much Marie-Claire, it was fun working with you, you have so much knowledge and you really made a difference."

Madeleine French, United Kingdom

 Rags the Flat Coated Retriever - a much loved member of the family

Jackson & Grace

"Marie-Claire is probably better to my cats than I am.  When Jackson (now deceased) went through major surgery Marie-Claire was there to help me when I brought him home from the vet. When I could not get away from work to medicate him (for pain) and make him feel secure she stepped in to ease my worry and sense of guilt. She has been an extra hand when I needed to take both cats to the vet in Charlotte. She has stepped in to care for my cats when I had to be out of town for a family illness.

Grace is “special.” … She bites and when left alone can be destructive.  She developed a habit of licking off all her fur, and it got worse when Jackson died.  A move to a rental that was flea infested was even worse for Grace and through that Marie-Claire helped me survive the flea battle using no pesticides or scary chemicals. A flea comb, some soap and water to drown the bastards and incessant vacuuming was her advice and the best solution. Grace has stopped over -grooming and is finally a happy cat. Through all of that Marie-Claire has cared for her and tolerated all her bad behavior and chooses to see the sweet side of my crazy rescue cat. And Grace loves her for overlooking her bad side.   The thing I value the most in all of the difficulties of the past few years is this: I don’t worry about my cats when Marie-Claire is pet sitting."

Lell Trogdon, Tuscon, AZ

Miss Graceless Olive

Baggage the Rescue Collie Cross

"I have a rescue Collie-Labrador Crossbreed called Baggage. From a young age, he walked to heel, came when he was called, was really great with the family.  However, no matter what classes I went to, books I read, or trainers I worked with, there remained two serious problems.  Firstly he barked constantly … for attention, when people walked by our property, when he heard a noise, when he just thought he heard a noise.  It was exhausting for us all.  Secondly and much more seriously he wasn’t safe with strangers or even some friends.  If friends came to the house and went to kiss my wife hello or goodbye, he would jump up barking at them, if someone he didn’t know came to deliver something, read a meter, he would jump up and threaten to bite them, and as he got older, he didn’t like even the children he knew.  It got to the point that we sent him away when friends came to stay. Until Marie Claire O’Reirdan came and worked some “magic” with our dog.  Visiting our home over several weeks she worked with us and Baggage to show us how to overcome what turned out to be his fear.  Following her lessons, in a really short time the dog relaxed, stopped barking at perceived threats (which weren’t threats but just daily human life!), and best of all he was totally confident in us so stopped attacking people who came to the house, lying quietly on the floor undisturbed by it.  We now have a dog that is a joy to have around, full of life and fun, but quiet and safe.  Thank you so much Marie-Claire."  

Roger Kennedy, United Kingdom

Baggage the Rescue Collie cross, much happier after Marie-Claire's Magic!

Hamish the Jack Russell

"Over the course of several months Marie-Claire came into my home to work with my Jack Russell terrier Hamish. Like most terriers, Hamish was willful, determined, and often naughty. He and I regularly disagreed about the correct behaviour he should be adopting! But with Marie-Claire’s assistance, training, calm nature and helpful advice, she soon set both of us on our way to a new and harmonious relationship. Sadly Hamish has now passed away, however Marie-Claire showed me (& Hamish) the behaviors and ‘good manners’ required to enjoy a long lasting and happy relationship, based upon mutual respect and most of all love. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to work wonders with your dog, what she does with them really is magic!"

Simone Bentley, United Kingdom

Hamish, the Jack Russell. Magic with Dogs worked wonders with him!

 Snickers

"It was the middle of September, and I was sitting at my computer, when, an adorable little doggy face appeared to be looking directly and longingly into my eyes.  I selected the link transferring to the Greater Charlotte SPCA website, and felt a warm sensation come over me as I pointed my cursor on and hit the "adopt" button.

When the doorbell rang and foster mother Nancy Ruth Sloan came in carrying this incredibly adorable little bundle of fur whom I had seen online, my heart did a stutter step as I gazed into his little brown eyes and it was "love at first sight"!  She explained about his background, his lack of stable living arrangements and upbringing, his problematic behaviors which included fearfulness of strangers, growling with bared teeth, and biting incidents.

Realizing that we needed some expert assistance in helping ‘Snickers’ adjust to his new family and expectations, I called our family vet and was given the name of Marie-Claire O'Reirdan, a certified and highly recommended dog trainer.  With her most valued assistance and expertise, as well as God's unfailing grace and abiding love, our little Snickers has really changed significantly from a fearful and sometimes aggressive dog into a playful, loving, obedient, and wonderful addition to our family.  This transformation has not only been witnessed and acknowledged by me and my husband, but also by our neighbors and friends who had witnessed some of Snicker's "behavior issues" when he first came to live with us.  Yes, indeed, miracles with dogs can and do happen every day!"

Carolyn Voorheis, Charlotte, NC

Snickers, a reformed character!

 Otis the Poodle

"We feel very lucky to have found Marie Claire to help us with training our seven month old puppy, Otis. We have had dogs before and read many training books, but Marie Claire made all the difference with her calm, gentle, focused manner. She was great at listening to our concerns and offering specific techniques to solve the problems we were having with a very rambunctious pup. More importantly, the biggest benefit we got from her was an understanding of what Otis was thinking about our attempts to civilize him. Those insights allow us to transfer good training opportunities to many small issues every day. We have lots of work to do, but we know that with the training philosophy we have learned from Marie Claire, we will have a wonderful pet that will be a cherished part of our family for many years."

Jeanne and Steven Brady, Charlotte, NC

Otis, practising his leash work & recalls. I gave him a gold star!

Toby the Labradoodle

"I recently hired Marie Claire to ‘train me’ to train my Australian Labradoodle puppy, Toby. She is wonderful and certainly has a way with dogs. It has been a joy to watch Toby's progress and to develop proper training techniques early on while he is still a young pup. Our vet says "Toby is the most well behaved puppy she has ever seen" and this is all because of Marie Claire!!!!"

Robin Brennan, Charlotte, NC

Toby demonstrating perfect outdoor manners at a Hilton Head beach cafe

Fiona

"Marie-Claire is a warm person and very knowledgeable about dogs and their needs. She has helped us with a "fear" that my daughter's dog Fiona had developed. It truly was almost like magic. We are still working on the issue, but with the things we were taught and are using, the fear has diminished to a much better point. Thanks so much! I would recommend Marie-Claire for any dog problems or just for training."

Darlene Brown Moore, Rock Hill, SC

Fiona looking tres glamorous in the great outdoors

Bonnie

"We can strongly recommend Marie-Claire O'Reirdan, Owner of ‘Magic With Dogs’, as a trainer!

Marie-Claire loves dogs. Her gentle approach to dog training is based on a thorough understanding of dog behaviors and the special bond that exists between dogs and humans. Dogs want to please their owners.

Magic With Dogs provides individualized training specific to each dog and its' owner. First, training goals are discussed with the owner, (our dog Bonnie had issues meeting and greeting other dogs). Marie-Claire carefully watches the dog and owner behave and interact in critical situations related to the desired behavior. Next, she explains the cause of the behavior, demonstrates how to handle problems, and coaches the owner and dog so that they work together to achieve the desired behavior. When we learned to react appropriately in a calm, but, assertive manner the dog magic began and training Bonnie became a very enjoyable experience. Dog training can be fun! "

Dan and Honey Smith, Ft Mill, SC

 

Bonnie, all tuckered out after a good training session