When I first met Faith and Shiner less than a month ago, they could barely be in the same room together. I arrived today for our second lesson and wow – the transformation has been remarkable! What was once a very tense and stressed out multi-dog household is now finally at ease.
Faith was once a very, very anxious dog. During the consultation, she paced nearly non-stop, whined periodically, and was very preoccupied with the sights and sounds out the front window. She was especially anxious about Shiner, who was seated on the porch landing right on the other side of the back door. They had a full view of each other through the glass panels of the door. Shiner was friendly, curious; Faith was nervous and uneasy.
This is Faith (top) and Shiner (bottom) during their very first dog training lesson learning the place command. They are on either side of the family’s tv room. The place command has been a cornerstone of our strategy to rebuild their relationship!
The family explained that if they were to bring Shiner in the house, they’d have to be very careful to keep him away from Faith. If he got in Faith’s space, or if Faith in any way felt uncomfortable, she would lunge at him. They said when Faith lunges, she “goes for the throat” and “doesn’t let go.” So far, they’ve seen Faith growl, show teeth, and stiffen just at the sight of bouncy, happy Shiner, so they clearly aren’t taking any chances.
Shiner wasn’t exactly a planned addition to the household. They had planned to allow Faith to be an only dog (a status she seems to enjoy) for the rest of her life, but when Faith’s owner’s daughter moved back home, she brought newly-adopted Shiner with her.
Faith wasn’t always an only dog. She grew up as part of a multi-dog household alongside a feisty, assertive Yorkie and a passive, easy going Golden Retriever. Faith’s family first witnessed Faith’s dog aggression with that Yorkie, and unfortunately, that behavior eventually extended to other dogs as she matured. Faith had been an only dog for about a year now, so her aggression hadn’t been an issue until Shiner’s arrival.
Doesn’t get any more relaxed than that! This is Faith, aka the former Little Miss Anxious, doing a down/stay while her family updated me on her progress.
We did their first lesson three weeks ago. Since that time, the family has been diligently implementing the structured lifestyle we set up during that first lesson. They’ve been communicating with the dogs clearly and consistently, and giving them lots of guidance in their home environment. When a solid dog behavior training plan combines with a dedicated family, the results are significant!
Faith’s anxiety is down tenfold – she is hardly the same dog! She has the same diva personality, of course, but she’s no longer wound up like a top. She was able to relax in a down/stay for nearly thirty minutes while we chatted – something she couldn’t have done for one full minute at our last lesson!
Shiner, too, has made improvements. He responds on the first command, and is much calmer in the house. It’s no longer his personal dog park!
Here’s Shiner and Faith during their second dog training lesson. They can now coexist peacefully, and their family is no longer worried about a fight breaking out!
Best of all, the relationship between the dogs has improved by leaps and bounds. Faith and Shiner can not only be in the same room together, they can now lay next to each other! The dogs have mingled together in the yard a few times since our last lesson, and they have even been spotted playing together! Needless to say, their family is feeling confident and encouraged.
Faith and Shiner’s journey toward a peaceful, stress-free coexistence is not over yet, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of their human family members, it’s well on its way!
If you’re struggling with aggression issues between dogs in your household, give me a call! I’m a dog trainer serving the DFW area, and I can help you achieve (or regain) peace in your household! Call me at 800.649.7297 or email me to get started.