About Us

FAQs


Home


Products


Training


Boarding

Goldendoodles

Links

Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

Here's what our clients are saying:

I want to take this opportunity to let you know that Lori--at the Animal Inn--is a treasure! My family has been leaving our dogs at the Tidewater K-9 Inn forever.

I have been leaving my "Bear" for 16+ years and "Penny" for 2+ years.
When I call for reservations, Lori is quick and efficient. The dogs both enjoy their visits there. I have to carry them into the Vets office but they both run in as soon as we get to the Tidewater K-9 Inn.

Lori is caring and takes special care of the "Bear" who is my old man and requires a little extra attention. They both always come home clean and happy. (Tired from barking too much, but happy.)

I hope you appreciate what a great player you have on the Tidewater K-9 staff in Lori

Thank you very much.
Linda Griffin

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

 

Dear Mark,

I compliment you on your outstanding training program.  As I have heard you say many times the task is really to train the trainer; because the dog will do what ever is asked of it.

This past weekend we had a family wedding and I was out of town.  After a few days off training Barney was a little reluctant to execute all his commands quickly and efficiently.  Just a few minutes of work and he and I were back in full operation. I am not one lacking in self confidence, but I really don’t like it when I forget and execute a command incorrectly.  In this instance I did fine and Barney shaped up quickly. Thanks

The real reason for my message to you is another compliment.  While out of town, we visited friends.  They have a female Rotty/Shepard mix about 3 years old.  The dog is a cinder block style huge muscle weighing about 85lb.  They struggle with the dog on each daily walk because it wants to pull.  They were using one of those roll out leashes.  The dog is very gentle and well behaved; it’s just a big dog.  While they were visiting, I asked if I could take the dog for a walk (no E-Collar here). They said of course, but mentioned that the dog became aggressive toward small dogs, and chased rabbits, squirrels, birds, and about anything else that moved in front of it.  In about 50 feet I had the dog under control and she was “walking” very nicely with me without any pulling.  Within 20 minutes I had the dog healing and sitting.  She didn’t want to remain sitting for very long but we made the point.  I passed by the house on several occasions during my walk around the complex, and the owner exclaimed: “What the heck has ne done to that dog?”  “I have never seen her so obedient and calm while walking.”  Upon my return from the 30 minute walk they were astounded by what I had done.  When I explained to them that we had passed several rabbits, one paced us about 20 feet in front of us for about half a block and another shot directly between me and the dog, a couple of squirrels, some birds, four squawky little dogs, a bunch of kids, and many cars; and the dog never flinched. She was definitely interested in each and very event, but she never broke command, never barked, or made any other type of ruckus.  I had met the dog one time 2 ½ years ago and had not seen her again until this weekend.   

They were astounded.  I gave the owner a few tips about how I accomplished what I did, and explained what the process was.

I was proud of myself and the dog.  It reinforced my desire to continue working with Barney to help him reach his potential happiness.  

Thanks again for everything.  I learned a lot more than I ever expected and I didn’t think I was the student.

Frank McCoy
 Virginia Beach, VA

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

Mark,

I just finished the in-home training, and I just want to say that my 1 & 1/2 year-old  German Shepherd, "Blitz", is so much more disciplined and, overall, is more of a fun dog to enjoy for a lifetime!!

I am a retired New York City police officer who came down here to Virginia Beach to relax.  I wanted a dog and purchased "Blitz" in November of 2004, having no real experience in dog-training.  He stopped pulling while walking on the FIRST day of the training-thanks to the instruction given to me, and the Dogtra obedience collar.  It is an amazing product that makes training so much easier.

Finally, I just want to express my thanks to you and the staff of Tidewater K-9 Academy for the excellent work!! It was a real pleasure!!

Sincerely,

David Harris & Blitz

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9}

 

 

Mark,

I enjoyed seeing you at the training site. We thank you again for your help and patience with Duke. He's a good dog. A little devilish at times, stealing my tools when working in the yard and playing keep away.

He's my paper boy in the morning, dashing out in rain or snow to bring in the a.m. paper. I'm sending a couple of recent pictures, so you can see how handsome and shiny he is.

My best to your staff,

Cordially,

George Jones
Virginia Beach, VA

 

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

 

 

Dear Mark Hackathorn and staff:

As I am sure you realize, Wednesday will be my last training session with you and Otto. What I am not sure you realize is how great an impact you have had on me. I have always admired the human/dog relationship and often envisioned myself an owner of a powerful dog that looked to me for guidance.

After careful research of certain breeds, I decided to set
your sights on owning a Doberman Pinscher. Once I had acquired Otto, it became obvious that he was going to be a big dog with a big ego and needed some training. I spoke to you on the telephone and I decided to visit your training facility. I was truly impressed and was eager to begin training. My only concern was the possibility of the training not getting the results I desired.

I will tell you now, and anyone that has those same concerns, that your training has far surpassed my best expectations. Now, not only do I own a beautiful Dobie, but more importantly I own a beautifully trained Doberman. He knows his job in every situation and respectfully awaits his next command. Your personal interest in Otto made me feel as if we were your only clients. Not only did you give me solid practical advice for dog training, but you offered great advice for dog ownership in general. Please feel free to use this letter as a reference tool to any clients that feel a little “on the fence” about your program.

Best of luck in the future, and I’ll be sure to stop in with Otto from time to time.

Yours very truly,

Robert Rajnys

Synjarr@cox.net
Virginia Beach, VA

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

 

Dear Mark,

Wanted to write and let you know what a wonderful summer we are having with our four year old Labradoodle, Jack. We just got back from an early morning walk on the beach. Jack took a long run/walk without a leash but with outstanding behavior. He met other dogs and frolicked with them until it was time to continue our walk, at hich time he came immediately and was excited about continuing the walk with us. A simple word "close" kept him right at our side as we passed some children playing at the water’s edge. Jack is so happy to be off leash. He greets people and other dogs with much more ease off leash and is eager to follow our voice commands.

We also had a wonderful vacation in Colorado with Jack. He went on several hikes in the mountains, chased prairie dogs and rabbits with his cousin dogs and always had outstanding behavior both off leash and on leash.

We are very thankful to you for helping us to understand the commands that we were giving to Jack and for introducing us to the e-collar. It didn’t take long for Jack o conform. In fact it took us longer to gain confidence in his compliance. After four years of having a dog who was exuberant and undisciplined, we are overjoyed to have a dog that is happy, exuberant and well-behaved. He can now enjoy playing in open spaces and get the exercise he needs and we can trust that he will obey the commands that are necessary to keep him safe.

Thank you so much, Mark.

Ginny and Dave Hucks

Jack too!!!!!

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

 

I can't say enough good things about the Tidewater K-9 Academy trainers and training techniques. It only took a couple of months to train my dog, training which will last a lifetime.

Wherever I go people are always complimenting me on my dog's good behavior. "He listens to you sooooo well!" "Wow, he stays right with you on his walks." "Don't you have to keep him on the leash ALL OF THE TIME?" "I wish my dog obeyed me that way." "He comes right back to you when you call him!"

You can use me as a reference anytime.

Best Regards,

Kim Johnson

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

 

 

 

 


Dear Mark,

I just want say "Thank You" for the training that we received with our German Shephard, Bailey. Before your training he was a handful and we could not control him. Your help and training has really made a big difference in our lives as well as Bailey's. We now enjoy going for long walks on the beach and he responds very well to his commands. He is still very protective of us, but does well when he meets new people and other dogs. The people that we meet are very impressed with how well behaved he is and how well he listens, we owe that all to you. Owning a German Shephard was nothing like I expected. He is a big 100 pound male dog with the instinct to protect and we needed to get that under control, to change his way of thinking. Bailey is still our lovable dog...loves to play with Alexis and her soccer ball and his tennis balls. If we do get another dog, I will be sure to come to you for his training, you work wonders. Thank you so much.

The Swift family
[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

 

I wanted to give you a Tucker update. He's WONDERFUL!!! He has turned into such a love muffin, just the way a Golden is supposed to be. He still has a chewing problem but even that has improved markedly. I walk him every night (health allowing) and Tom and I just had a pool put in. I can't wait to see him in it. He is now on a diet. Because of his food allergies we have to feed Wellness brand venison food. Being a retriever he likes to eat but we have to feed him less. His last weight at the vet was 130 LBS. He needs to lose about 15 LBS.

After our last class I got very ill with pneumonia but I am better now. I think it was the Remicade infusions. I only have to get them every other month now but my immune system is weak.

Thank you for all your help with him. He is such a happy boy now. We wouldn't have been able to keep him with your guidance. It's so much harder to undo the bad training than it is to train correctly from the beginning. I wish I knew what his first parents were thinking and why they treated him so badly.

Thanks,

Fran Williams,CPC
Tidewater Children's Associates
Billing Department

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]

I want to take this opportunity to let you know that Laurie--at the Animal Inn--is a treasure! My family has been leaving our dogs at the Animal Inn forever.

I have been leaving "Bear" for 16+ years and "Penny" for 2+ years. When I call for reservations, Laurie is quick and efficient. The dogs both enjoy their visits there. I have to carry them into the Vets office but they both run in as soon as we get to the Animal Inn.

Laurie is caring and takes special care of the "Bear" who is old man and requires a little extra attention. They both always come home clean and happy. (tired from barking too much, but happy.)

I hope you appeciate what a great player you have on the Tidewater K-9 staff in Laurie.

[To speak directly with the writer of this letter, contact us here at Tidewater K-9]


Tidewater K-9 Inn
 1232 North George Washington Highway
Chesapeake, Virginia 23323 
(757) 487-3261 phone
(757) 487-8895 fax