Beyond Behavior Dog Training

This was a huge milestone for my client and her dog.
When I first started working with them, he was an anxious adolescent boy who was showing some aggressive behaviors towards his people. He had a ton of energy but refused to walk more than a block from his house before tucking his tail and frantically pulling to get back home.

First things first, we addressed his physical health. He had chronic tummy upset and ear infections that made him cranky. Next, we worked on building a strong connection with his mama through skill building and structured play.
Then we addressed his anxiety. After a month on medication, his outlook on the world completely changed. He’s still his goofy. rambunctious self, but with a much more optimistic frame of mind.

Getting his physical and mental wellbeing into a good place allowed us to support him around his triggers: unfamiliar dogs, people, and novelty. # # # # He learned how to check in with his people for support when he struggled.

Yesterday, we took him to the local park for the very first time in his life. After 5 minutes of acclimation, he started experiencing this new place with his nose instead of his eyes. He was able to stay in his thinking brain, respond to queues, and remain focused on his people. He was able to observe his triggers and check back in without exploding.

My favorite part? He was able to play. Play is something that animals cannot access when they feel unsafe. Look at the pure joy on his face!! I was so proud of this team I had to fight back happy tears. 🥹

Some loose leash walking work with the cutest shepherd pup at the shelter. Here I’m marking in the position I like and throwing a treat behind. When she catches up, the loop begins again. No leash pops, no aversive tools.