Finnley, a bouncing chocolate labradoodle puppy, attended my puppy level group sessions with his owner Kim and her two little kids. Finnley, as puppies do, was mouthing, nipping, and jumping (among other things) and especially around her small kids. His progression in class was normal, but not solved by the end of our sessions. Some months later I got a frazzled e-mail saying that even now, at 10months old, Kim couldn’t even sit down on her own couch for 5 minutes without being mauled by an excited over-sized puppy. Finnley was stealing forbidden items, eating food off the dining room table, and still treating the kids as play toys which led him to many time-outs in his play pen or backyard.
We set up a date for some one-on-one time where I would come to Kim’s home, observe the behavior and offer suggestions for tactics to try out. After 20 minutes with Finnley even I was frustrated and exhausted. The guy just didn’t know any boundaries or patience! He was doing what he wanted, when he wanted, and poor Kim was left feeling helpless. I offered what I could in verbal advice and then it was up to Kim.
Two days later I got this e-mail:
“I am happy to report, yesterday I sat in the kitchen and drank an entire cup of tea! Earlier in the day I sat and did the “in his space” thing about 5 times in a row. He seemed to get the hint. Then I had my tea and that was followed by a friend coming by for a visit. I had to do the interference thing a few times again, then he went and lied down in the kitchen on his own. I didn’t have to put him in his pen or outside or anything!
I am shocked that the tactics are working so fast. I will continue with this one for a few more days, then I am going to tackle for leash one this weekend.
So thank you so much.
A happy, and sitting, Kim “
Well, as you can imagine, that letter made my day! What I do want you, the reader, to get out of this is that I feel there is only so much that can be done in a classroom. Kim could have attended 6 months worth of training, but perhaps one hour (yes that’s all I was there for) of one-on-0ne attention was all she needed. Now, personally I think Kim is a fast learner. Not all results are that immediate. It truly takes the owner to “get it” before the dog will!
I wish them the best of luck, and I’m always there if they need me again. If you, or someone you know, has a dog with behavioral problems, consider investing in someone like myself who will come to your home and tackle the issue from a psychological perspective rather than just ‘obedience’ training.
Desiree McLean
Flannigan