Betsy Alvarez

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BETSY ALVAREZ'S BACKGROUND

Betsy Alvarez is a Team Coordinator at Lorenzo's Dog Training Team. She has worked with many different type of dogs and temperaments. From dogs that have barely had any human interaction to 8-week-old puppies. She continues to return to Cleveland twice a year to sharpen her training skills and for ongoing continued education. Betsy is also recommended by local veterinarians. Prior to following her passion of becoming a dog trainer, Betsy had her own dog walking business for over 5 years. She decided she wanted to be more challenged and started her career as a Professional Dog Trainer. When Betsy is not helping families live happier lives with their canine companions, she enjoys getting out on the water and Paddle Boarding with one or all three of her dogs. Betsy is local to South Florida, raised in Miami, but currently resides in the Hollywood area. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Kathryn and Charles with Winnie and Tucker

About 4 months ago, we welcomed two Great Dane puppies into our household. Shortly thereafter, we realized we were in way over our heads and began searching for anything that could help us. After spending endless hours on various training methods that did not work out, a friend mentioned she had Betsy Alvarez help train her dog. We knew that we needed a professional to help train our puppies because of how big they would soon get. We are beyond grateful for Betsy’s training.

Betsy came to our house and went over the possible options for training, and we decided that the best option would be to have the puppies stay with Betsy while she trained them. She came to our house every weekend with the puppies for a training lesson to go over everything that she had been teaching them. She would teach us exactly how to handle them. We were amazed by how much they had learned after just the first week of being with Betsy.

After a few weeks, the puppies were entirely on-leash trained, housebroken, and extremely well behaved. We decided with Betsy that we wanted them to be off-leash trained, so she kept them for another week or so. By the time they came back they were incredibly well trained. They are now both completely potty trained. One of them was extremely vocal (would bark every time we left the house), and now he is completely comfortable being alone. They are both entirely trained in the commands: sit, down, heel, stay, come, and quiet. They go on long walks without ever breaking heel or being distracted by other dogs. Every time we take them out, everyone always comments on how well trained they are. Additionally, we have flown with them several times and they behaved perfectly! They are trained as well as service animals. If we ever get another dog, we will definitely send them to Betsy without hesitation. She is an exceptionally skilled trainer and terrific person.

Kathryn & Charles

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

McKenzie Family

I adopted Scooby thru the 100+ Animal Rescue group. He got along great with our 9-year-old Doberman, Nia, and has always been gentle with the kids. He was VERY nervous around my husband, David, though. We figured this would stop over time. David fed Scooby, and I walked him every night. I would have to get Scooby on the leash and then help him walk out the door. But once out of the house, he would be OK, although still very nervous. Without a leash on Scooby, David was unable to pet the dog at all, and as he walked around the house, Scooby would run and hide behind the table or move to the other side of the room. He also liked to hide in corners, or even in the shower, where he felt safe. If he was ever in a situation where he was backed in to a corner with no escape route, he would really panic and look terrified. And one time, he tried to bite him as he had no way to get out. It was not a good situation for David or Scooby. He seemed to be generally a lot more nervous around men. But certain men, including my husband, he was worse. Obviously, my husband was nothing but nice to Scooby, but obviously, something from his past made him have this fear.

After a few months of this without seeing much improvement, we decided we needed some help and reached out to Betsy with Lorenzo's Dog Training. Betsy listened to our concerns… and gave us an overview of a plan for 6 weeks of weekly training for Scooby. She worked patiently with both David and me as we learned the correct way to hold the leash and the commands. She also gave us a lot of great advice for general day-to-day things that we could do to make Scooby feel more comfortable. Initially, Scooby would not sit or lie down for David. And he would not let David walk behind him at all. Over the 6 weeks of training, he has improved drastically. David can walk by him lying on the ground and he no longer runs away. We leave the leash on Scooby around the house and this way, if he ever does have a lapse back to his old ways, one of us can grab the leash, put him back on his spot, and correct him.

I really believe that Betsy (and Lorenzo's) training plan gave Scooby the 3rd chance he needed. There was only so much longer my husband was going to put up with having to tip toe around his own house with a dog running away from him every time he moved, and we were also worried it was unfair on the dog, too. Now everyone gets along. Scooby is improving more and more. I would highly recommend any dog owner with dog troubles, to take the time to do some training sessions with Betsy as it can really help both the dog and family.

Helen & David McKenzie

Miami, Florida

Shelby

Shelby was my first large dog, and I didn't know where to begin with training, especially because she was a Doberman. My husband said he could train her, but with his busy schedule it was going to be difficult, and I truly wanted a professional. My veterinarian gave me Lorenzo's Dog Training information, and I also interviewed a few other trainers. But after I met Betsy, I knew I wanted to work with her and nobody else. She was knowledgeable, patient, loving with my dog, and, most of all, disciplined. Once I began training, I noticed a big change in my Doberman's behavior. Not only was Shelby learning how to control certain behaviors, but I was learning how to control her as well. Now, months later. I can happily say that I'm the proud owner of a disciplined, trained, controlled large dog. I can take her anywhere and everyone always compliments her wonderful behavior, which is seldom seen with a 1-year-old puppy. I appreciate everything Lorenzo's did for my family and my beautiful girl, Shelby.

Vanessa Schenker

Pembroke Pines, Florida

My dog spent 2 weeks with Betsy. I have to say it was hard for me to let him go, but I knew it was the right choice. I have a lab. He was a very happy little puppy, but he was very strong. I knew he was going to grow up and get stronger. One day while I was walking him, he decided to go in the opposite direction. I wasn't handling the leash properly, and I had 3 fractures in my hand and a cast for 1 month. It was a stupid accident, but I knew it was the time to get help.

I met Betsy. She explained what she could do to help me. She was very kind with me and gave me all the information I needed. While my dog was with her, she always gave me news on his progress and sent me pictures of him and his classmates. Afterwards, when she brought him back, we had several lessons together. Betsy helped me learn how to handle my dog and how to be able to walk with him. Dogs are like kids. They need to know what is right or wrong and to be well behaved. She taught me how to communicate. Today, my dog and I have long walks, and we both enjoy our time together. I am very thankful to Betsy. She is very professional, and she loves her job. So, I totally recommend Betsy as a trainer. But don't think you can leave all the training only to Betsy. You have to understand that you still have to work with your dog. It's important to follow all her advice. She is not a magician, and your dog is not a robot. Betsy will give you all the things you need to know to have a nice and great relationship with your dog.

Helene B.

Miami, Florida

Awesome trainer, so much patience and love for my dog, Duke, that was suffering from lots of anxiety. I will always be grateful for her hard work!

Lisa Gonzales

Miami, Florida

I couldn't get Monroe to sit for anything longer than a minute, let alone stay long enough for me to put her bowl of water down. In most instances, I ended up with water all over the floor, or myself, or Monroe. I spent more time chasing her around the house than building a bond, and every chance she'd get, she'd tackle me with the force of a linebacker. I remember vividly the desperation in my voice when I asked my vet's office if they could recommend a local trainer, and, in sync, they proclaimed "Betsy from Lorenzo's, she's great!". I reached out to Lorenzo's Dog Training Team and scheduled and assessment with Betsy within the same week! We even bonded over the joys and tribulations of raising our Golden Retrievers. I'd hate to make it sound like my search for a trainer was easy because its wasn't. Only a week prior, I'd even considered dropping her off at a training camp, but couldn't stand the thought of leaving her anywhere for more than a couple days. I praise Lorenzo's team for their in-house home training, allowing pet owners to witness the process and be a part of it. Like a proud mom at a spelling bee, I cried the first time Monroe stayed as commanded, and then burst into laughter... that was only her first session. Betsy accomplished in one hour what I couldn't do in 4 months with bacon-flavored rubber footballs.

Josie Duque

Pembroke Pines, Florida

5 stars. I would highly recommend Betsy Alvarez at Lorenzo's Dog Training Team. With the proper training techniques that Betsy used, our dog (Cockapoo) went from a very aggressive, dominating dog to a well behaved and well trained dog. Betsy Alvarez is a fantastic trainer, and it was well worth the money we spent to have our dog trained by an excellent, professional dog trainer who truly has the passion for training and love for dogs.

James G.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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