When Gigi arrived to the States from Korea, she was petrified.
She was shaking and panting when she was being transported to her new home.
Gigi was also unsure of the world in general, but being with new people and a new place to live was also very overwhelming.
As we discussed Gigi and my client’s training needs, we discussed how building a trusting and secure relationship is one of the first building blocks for reaching any training goals.
My client was committed to Gigi and only wanted the best for her.
One of areas of focus for my client and Gigi was helping Gigi learn to see the car as a positive place for her versus the negative one she experienced.
Over the course of our 6 weeks together, my client and Gigi hit so many milestones and witnessing Gigi learn and the relationship grow between her and my client was my proudest moment.
Gigi learned:
✅ family members were safe and enjoyable people to be around
✅ strangers or unfamiliar people coming up to the house isn’t that big of a deal
✅ strange or sudden noises really aren’t that big of a deal
✅ relaxing is a much more enjoyable behavior to do
The biggest achievement my client and Gigi obtained was Gigi’s willingness and comfortability with getting into the car.
Make no mistake, even though the video seems to show how effortless this skill is between my client and Gigi, the learning wasn’t all smooth sailing.
My client rode the waves of success and really felt those valleys of not seemingly moving anywhere or even feeling things were moving backwards.
Days and even weeks when Gigi looked nervous about the ramp and wasn’t comfortable stepping one paw into the car even when just before Gigi spent time in the car and even ate meals in it.
My client dug deep.
She reframed her goals for Gigi.
Still my client showed up and met Gigi where she was in the moment of learning.
My client learned taking breaks and doing other bonding exercises was beneficial to the goal of encouraging Gigi to make the choice of going in the car.
They practiced walking up the ramp together in random areas away from the car.
Gigi and my client even spent time playing Find It around the car without the expectation of getting into the car.
Today, all of these steps came together and Gigi willingly went into the car several times and was encouraged along the way by my client.
I had a little dance party for them to celebrate since Gigi would have been too nervous for my client to do so in this moment 🙂
Are you willing to stay open to going with the flow and even learn about yourself along the way?
Do you have goals you want to achieve with your dog, but don’t know how?
Have a computer and internet?
Let’s chat! As a dog behavior consultant and coach, I can help you achieve the goals you want you and your dog to achieve regardless of where you are located.
Four Paws & You Dog Training 