When Megan enlisted my help for her dog, Schatzi, I don’t think she imagined the amount of information she would receive. Thanks to popular TV shows, there is the idea that with just a few key changes your dog will be all better. So I think, like most dog owners, she expected to receive some short instructions that would change her dog’s behavior for good.
Jethro and Schatzi wait politely to be invited out the wide-open front door.
Little did she know, Megan was about to learn a TON about the process of behavior change. She would learn how to lower Schatzi’s anxiety, how to set Schatzi up for success, how to say “yes” and say “no” in ways that are both fair and meaningful. And because she would be doing these things in her own home, day in and day out, she would learn the value and the power of consistency.
After just a few months of dog training, Megan started working with Schatzi on her off leash manners, something she wasn’t sure was possible pre-training. Here’s a short video showcasing some of the work they do together:
Fast forward about six months. Megan had begun volunteering for a local dog rescue just a few months prior. She had served as a temporary foster for two different dogs, and the rescue had noticed what calm, well-mannered dogs Megan had produced during that time. They also had the opportunity to get to know Schatzi, who is an outstanding canine citizen and a true testiment to the powerful combination of good training and a dedicated owner. Simply put, the rescue was impressed! So impressed, in fact, that when a troubled young puppy came along and they needed an experienced foster, they reached out to Megan for help.
Dog Training For Your Foster Dog
Jethro was only 7-weeks-old when he met – and bit – Megan!
The day Megan took Jethro in as her foster puppy, he bit her hand hard enough to break skin. She was totally taken aback, and I could tell by her tone of voice over the phone that she was a little unnerved. After all, a 7-week-old puppy isn’t supposed to bite like that! When she asked how she could help this dog, I sounded a little bit Glinda-ish when I told her she already held the answers (I hope you got my Wizard of Oz reference there!). I reminded Megan about all we had done for Schatzi earlier that year, and while every dog may be different, the foundation of behavior change is largely the same.
With renewed confidence, Megan set up a structured environment for Jethro and started communicating with him clearly and consistently. Little by little, day by day, he began to transform into the well behaved puppy he should have been all along. It wasn’t always easy, but he never again bit her, or anyone else. It’s amazing what a stress-free, structure-rich environment combined with clear and consistent guidance can do for a troubled dog, puppy or otherwise!
Jethro sporting his Halloween costume in his new home. Hooray for happy endings!
By the time she delivered him to his adoptive family, Jethro showed no signs of behavior issues, and hadn’t for weeks.
In many cases, a biting young puppy never gets the second chance Megan provided. Knowing she had made such an enormous difference in his little life eased her sadness as she said good bye.
Thanks to his time with Megan, Jethro has gone on to live a happy, balanced life as the beloved family dog!
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If you’re looking for a DFW dog trainer, consider how much you have to gain from the skills and knowledge you’ll receive through the behavior training process. It’s not just applicable to your current dog, but applicable to any dog you have in the future, be it a foster or a new family member. Talk about value! Contact me to get started.