Southern Charm School for Dogs - About Us - Mississippi Dog Training- AKC CGC, Pet Therapy

Suzanne began training animals as a young child working with the family pets, which included dogs, cats, horses, along with Jersey and Charlotte, pet cows, and horses. She solved her first behavioral problem at the age of 10 with Sonny Boy, a Tennesee Walker whom she had loved since she was a baby, but was able to get to know even better after moving closer to him when she was around 10. This love of animals eventually led Suzanne down the path of assisting others with their companion animals, originally due to a large number of companion animals being turned into the local shelters for simple, easy-to-correct behavioral problems.

After adopting two adult dogs with no prior training from shelters, Suzanne trained and loved both through their Therapy Dog certification, and has been actively making pet therapy visits to local area facilities for over nineteen years with her certified pet therapy dogs.

Over the past eighteen years, Suzanne has offered behavior modification and private lessons, and has taught puppy agility and obedience classes. Southern Charm School for Dogs was formed to assist loving pet owners with their problem pets and to provide a place for owners desiring Therapy Dog certification for their dog to come for appropriate therapy dog training.

Suzanne believes in finding what motivates the pet, then using the motivator as a positive method of training to teach your pet. There are times, however, when corrections are needed. Suzanne believes in administering fair corrections, but only when necessary. Suzanne firmly believes in training methods that will serve not to break the dog's spirit, but to communicate in a manner which the dog can understand and learn.

In today's society, all dogs need obedience training. The dog deserves it, we deserve it, and our neighbors deserve it. It is a fact that a well trained dog is more fun to be around. Suzanne believes strongly in helping owners to achieve a well behaved dog using methods they too can comfortably apply when training without breaking the dog's spirit.

Suzanne works full time as a professional Web Developer and Graphic Designer, but her love of animals inspires her to assist others with pet behavioral problems, as well as Therapy Dog training and certification, and AKC CGC (American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certification) preparation. She serves as a certified AKC CGC and therapy dog evaluator.

In her spare time, Suzanne raises St. Croix sheep, enjoys carting and herding cattle, sheep and ducks with her Bouvier des Flandres and Aussie, and volunteering with her therapy dogs. She and her husband Greg share 10.5 year old Trouble (Bouvier des Flandres), 6.5 year old Baker (Australian Shepherd), 4.5 year old Doc (Australian Labradoodle), 3.5 old WiseGuy (Bouvier des Flandres), 12.5 year old Mannix (Black and White Domestic Shorthair), 30 sheep, and added Call Ducks for herding in 2011.

WiseGuy earned his American Kennel Club (AKC) Championship at 19 months with limited showing, as well as his American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) Temperament Test (TT) in May, 2010. Suzanne and WiseGuy traveled to 3 conformation shows earning 14 points, and then traveled to Perry, GA, where WiseGuy took Best of Winner's on the first day to finish his CH. The team left directly after having their show photo made to take the ATTS Temperament Test where WiseGuy never missed a beat earning his TT. He finished his CH with 3 majors (one 3pt and two 4pt), 6 Best of Winners, and a very proud mom. A few months later, in October 2010. they traveled to their first herding test and trial, after training just a short while, and earned WiseGuy's first herding title. This not only enabled him to earn his first level American Bouvier des Flandres Club Versitilty award, but also helped his Bouvier mom to earn the American Bouvier des Flandres Club's (ABdFC) Brood Bitch of the Year for 2010. WiseGuy earned/passed 5 titles within 8 months in 2010. In October 2011, Suzanne and WiseGuy traveled to the ABdFC National Bouvier Specialty in St. Louis, MO where they competed in Herding for WiseGuy's PT, entered their first Carting trial, and were entered in the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test (the first time Suzanne had a chance to take the CGC test at a Bouvier Specialty). Herding was first, where they were entered in three duck runs and three sheep runs over two days. With the summer heat, Suzanne wasn't counting on much, since they had not worked sheep since May, and WiseGuy had only worked ducks 5-6 times before the Specialty, but WiseGuy made Suzanne proud earning his PT the very first day passing both runs with one duck leg and one sheep leg. He went on the next day to earn another duck leg and used the other three runs to practice. After a day of rest, it was off to carting and the CGC. While the team had the same experience with the summer heat and carting, having worked about 6 times, WiseGuy sailed through the course; yes sailed through. He did great on the obstacles, but it was later found that a female dog went before the boys, and they were all "tracking" her, especially WiseGuy; he loves the girls! His pulling a little too much and breaking his down to track the girl caused Suzanne and WiseGuy not to pass, but Suzanne was very proud of him for his first time out. Directly after the one mile freight haul, which completed the first day of the carting trial, they went to the AKC CGC test, where WiseGuy not only kept all of his stays, but did so with another dog coming into the ring for parts of their test, and Wise passed with flying colors. The Carting trial the next day was MUCH better, but Wise was still trying to find that beautiful girl Bouvier he knew was there. ;-) He also had enough pet therapy visits as a registered AKC breed, so WiseGuy earned the new AKC Therapy Dog titile as well in 2011. He is now known as CH B.Witchn Rocheuses I. Made Ewe Look PT~ds HT~s CGC THD ThD TT VBB, or just WiseGuy.

Also pictured below are those who have gone on to watch God's flock in Heaven; Suzanne's beloved Sissy, a Wheaten Terrier mix she rescued at the age of 2 years, dear sweet Magnolia, a Great Pyrenees rescued at the age of 10 months, dear, dear Adam, an Australian Shepherd rescued at 15 months, the dog who taught Suzanne so very much, her beloved first Bouvier des Flandres and WiseGuy's great-great uncle, Casey, our beautiful Lucy Goose, and dear, sweet Jed, our Suffolk sheep.

Suzanne and Greg lost Sissy in December 2001 at the age of 12.5 years. Suzanne credits Sissy with much of her knowledge regarding hard-to-handle dogs. Allowed to roam, 30lbs underweight, matted to the hilt, Sissy belonged to owners who seemed to care little for her welfare. Sissy was to become a companion for Suzanne's mom, but gave her heart to Suzanne instead. Sissy was the first dog Suzanne took formal obedience classes with, and Suzanne and Sissy went on to earn their CGC and therapy dog certification, as well as the American Herding Breed Association's Herding Capability Tested (HCT ~s). Sissy and her sunshiny attitude are missed deeply by both Suzanne and Greg.

Adopted at the age of 10 months, after watching Suzanne and Greg's flock of sheep for almost 5 years, Magnolia of Three Dog Farm developed bone cancer in the Spring of 2006. Once diagnosed, Mags was retired as a Livestock Guardian Dog, moved inside where she was in heaven, and began visiting local rehabilitation center patients (some of whom she inspired to continue with their own rehab) and a library where children read to her. Mags lived for pet therapy days, and was on her way to earning her AKC CGC and therapy dog certification, when in early October, the pain began and Suzanne and Greg, with the help of their loving vet, sent her on to Heaven to be with Sissy. Suzanne, Greg and all the kids, (including the sheep) really miss the sweetness and lovingness Magnolia displayed to everyone and everything she met.

Adam, brought in to MARL (Mississippi Animal Rescue League) at the age of 12 months, appeared to have been abused and abandoned by his owners who had moved out of state. Adam taught everyone around him how to persevere, and went on to become an extraordinary Therapy Dog, helping start many of the therapy dog visitation programs in his community. While Adam earned his HIC (Herding Instinct Certified), he seemed to be worried about working the stock, as if someone had really corrected him harshly around livestock, so he did what he loved best, Pet Therapy! Adam never met a stranger nor anyone he couldn't help with a little love, Australian Shepherd style. At almost 15 years of age, after acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and anything else to help ease the pain from arthritis, the pain became too much for Adam; Suzanne and Greg, again with the help of their loving vet, sent Adam to Heaven right after Thanksgiving 2006. Not only do their hearts grieve for him, but so do the countless others in the community whom Adam gave his all to each time he visited with them, from young children at the library, to patients recovering from accidents or strokes, to those living in retirement homes; Adam loved them all.

After falling in love with a beautiful yet disobedient black beast in a Kodak commercial, Suzanne spent several years reading and learning about the Bouvier des Flandres and later, searched three years to find just the right breeder. Fortunate to happen upon a litter where the great-grandfather was her favorite Bouvier, then another year waiting for the Bouvier puppy who would later become CH B.Witchn's Justin Casey Howlz JHD~s HCT~s PT~s HT~s TT ThD CGC VBB VCC, Suzanne patiently waited for over 7 years for her first Bouvier. Getting just what she asked for, a dog with lots of drive, Suzanne and Casey finished his Championship with 4 majors with limited showing in less than a year, and went on to herding. Work with Casey was a challenge, as he was a most dominant dog. In all her behavior consultations, rescue work, and classes, Casey was the most dominant dog she has ever worked with. He serves as a prime example of dominant dogs who, with the right owner, can become loving family members. His dominance and their work in providing the leadership needed to solve this issue has assisted her in helping others with their dominant dog problems. In the last few years, Casey fought allergies brought on by the Southern humidity, and for the last year, Cushings disease. They knew the Cushings was pituitary induced, which could mean a tumor, but at almost 13 years, their decisions were based on Casey's comfort alone. In their efforts to bring his Cushings under control, the decrease in cortisol showed a possible issue with Osteoarthritis, but he was still happy, with meds controlling the pain. Suzanne and Greg were thrilled when the Cushings symptoms disappeared and the disease appeared to be in control with his medication. Then, Casey seemed to really go down, fast, losing control of his back legs, and anyone who knew this independent boy, would know how unacceptable this would be to him. Suzanne and Greg, along with their wonderful vet sent Casey along to Heaven in October 2008. There are so many things that Suzanne misses about Casey, but she most misses the elbow kisses he came to give her each and every morning, refusing to go outside until he had made his way to her bedside to make sure this was taken care of. Case-Man, I still miss you each and every day.

In early 2010, a predator attacked and killed Lucy Goose, devestating Suzanne and Greg. Owning a farm brings along some hard life lessons, and losing Lucy was a reminder that predators still exist. Lucy was a special gift, a Goose Suzanne had always wanted. Lucy made everyone laugh and curse, honking even at Suzanne and Greg after she first came to live with them, so protective. She secretly laid and sat on unfertilized eggs, once in the back yard and the dogs never even knew it! Now, THAT was shocking.....Suzanne and Greg miss Lucy very much, but there is no doubt she is up in Heaven helping run things on the Big Farm.

In October 2010, dear sweet Jed, a Suffolk (sheep) Suzanne and Greg had on the farm since he was 8 weeks ago went down rather quickly. He seemed to improve briefly, but even their dear MSU sheep specialist, Dr. Fleming, could not help Jed with old age, and they had to have a vet come out and help their dear Jed leave them for Heaven. Jed knew three obedience commands, but most of all, Jed loved Suzanne. He would run to her, no matter where he was in the pasture, and place his face on her's, hugging her. He would stand like that for hours if allowed. Suzanne will forever cherish her last Jed hug, right before he died. In his last hours, all he wanted to do was to lay his head in Suzanne's hand. Jed was extremely intelligent, regardless as to what some say about the intelligence of sheep, and he had such a delightful and mischevious personality. Jed will live in Suzanne's heart and mind forever.

At the end of the week that Suzanne and Greg had to have Jed put down, Suzanne lost her Dad. Suzanne's Dad is where she got her love of farming, farm animals, and possibly training animals. She misses him so very much, and still has to stop herself from picking up the phone to call him. Suzanne is so thankful for all he taught her, especially all he taught her about farming, taking care of animals and growing things, which has allowed her to pass this knowledge on to others.

Heaven is most fortunate to have them, but we still grieve for them.

Collage 1: Adam, Casey, Lucy Goose, Casey & Jed, Sissy and Adam, Mannix, Magnolia, JoJo the Lamb, Baker, Trouble, Trouble earning her first herding title.

Collage 2: WiseGuy and Doc; WiseGuy in conformation, carting, & herding sheep and ducks, Doctor Doodle, Doc and WiseGuy at Bark Into Christmas with Mom.

Collage of pets of Suzanne and Greg Vening

Collage2 of pets of Suzanne and Greg Vening