Zeus’ Accomplishments

Another Growl to Grow relationship evolution.

We are celebrating by doing a photo shoot with Zeus at our last session together. Bittersweet!

When I first met Zeus, he was a bit of a frustrated and alert barker. He made sure his family knew there were others outside on the walking path as well as when all the neighborhood dogs were out and about in their own yards. The barking drove his family nuts, but they didn’t know what to do!

Zeus’s family was unsure and even somewhat nervous about starting up with training.

They were looking for alternatives to what is seen as the popular choices in the states-shock collars, prong collars and choke chains as ways of correcting and controlling behavior. They knew this couldn’t be their only option. They were also not sure how a solution and reward based approach was effective.

Zeus’ family made the smart choice driven by their values of teaching in a supportive and loving home. They chose training methods which focused strengthening the bond with him. They wanted hm to learn to relax and settle and not feel he always has to be “on”.

During our time together, the family saw the benefits of teaching Zeus which choices are the right ones without correcting him when what they family perceived him as making a mistake.

You see, we all make mistakes. Sometimes mistakes happen out of a misunderstanding or confusion of what is being asked of us to do or just simply not knowing the rules. What we look for is compassion from one another and see these moments as steps in learning.

Instead of seeing something going wrong (through your eyes), change your outlook and find ways of better communicating what you DO want.

The same goes for your dogs. Through your eyes, you dog may be making similar mistakes by barking ALL OF THE TIME while out on walks or in you home when other dogs or children pass by. In actuality, your dog is not barking all of the time (he still needs to take a breath). Your dog is also responding to you in your environment and any mistakes made are born out of the miscommunication about what you want. Make the smart choice and show compassion and find a different way of getting what you want across to your dog.

Now, back to Zeus and his family. Over the last 6 weeks, Zeus’s family were able to consistently capture the behaviors the family wanted him to do and this is where the learning happened. Zeus grew in understanding of what the right choices were and these choices became reliable.

He learned giving attention back to his family when things in his surroundings were seen as threatening. He learned giving eye contact back to his family got him what he wanted which was praise, love and attention.

Not only is Zeus calmer, I even saw the family show some relaxed smiles as we progressed though the program. Zeus’ family was able to settle into train and see me as a source of support for them by showing them the way of teaching without pain, force or fear.

Relationship Reset! Start Training Today

Today is the day!

The Growl to Grow Online Dog Training Program is available!

It will only be offered at my introductory rate for this week only. Sign up and get started!

This program is designed for frustrated dog owners who are struggling with your dog’s barking and lunging at all things! I wish I had something like this when I was figuring out Jack’s reactivity.

The frustration you feel now, doesn’t have to stay this way if you don’t want it to.

You can make the choice of taking the next step and teach your dog to do something different with no force, no fear and no pain.

This is a 5 week, self paced program. It’s flexible to fit your schedule and you can work in training on your own time. The program also offers you to schedule Trainer Time with me. You will have 2 one hour in person or virtual appointment which can also be scheduled on your own time. This is designed, so you can ask questions when we meet and I can fine tune the skills you’re practicing.

You will gain an understanding of why your dog is barking and lunging, how to encourage your dog to do something else with the end result of you having a calmer and more relaxed dog.

Let’s face it, when you have a more relaxed dog, you will feel more interested in starting walks back up, going into restaurants with your best friend, traveling and meeting up with friends. When your dog is relaxed, you will also feel more confident in tackling situations like a move back stateside or to a new duty station.

One client signed up because her family is coming to visit and she wants her dog to have better house manners. Barking and lunging at guests when they come into your home can be a scary situation not only for your dog, but your friends and family.

Reset your relationship with your dog with the Growl to Grow Online Reactive Dog Training program.

Sign up here 👇 👇 👇 👇

https://four-paws-and-you-dog-training.thinkific.com/courses/growl-to-grow-reactive-dog-training-program

Once you do, you will be on your way!

Zoe

Michelle reached out to me in the beginning of March. She adopted Zoe from a rescue who primarily works with street dogs out of Hungary.

Michelle was not a novice dog owner nor was dog-people or dog-dog reactivity an unknown situation for her. She was familiar with using a muzzle, she understood how unfamiliar things, people and places can trigger dogs, but what she wasn’t prepared for was Zoe’s fearfulness.

Zoe before she arrived at her forever home with Michelle.

Zoe had a hard adjustment to living in a home with unfamiliar people. Everything from the sounds of cars driving by, to the morning alarm going off to even the clanking sound of chocolate chips in a ceramic bowl had Zoe careening around the corner and barking at Michelle.

Michelle was nervous.

Michelle was unsure of what Zoe was communicating, what her triggers were and how to keep her safe and other people safe from Zoe’s seemingly unpredictable nature.

What was clear, mutual trust was missing. Everyone in the home was afraid, including Zoe. Michelle’s compassionate heart ached for Zoe. She wanted Zoe to feel comfortable in order for her and her family to feel the same.

We started off 4 months ago with simple relationship building exercises which Michelle practiced with Zoe consistently. She even helped Zoe accept the crate and utilized ideas from Canine Enrichment Facebook group.

Over the course of our time together, Zoe has accomplished unbelievable milestones. She’s been acclimated to a doggie daycare, she loved her weekend at dog sitter which allowed Michelle and her husband a weekend away, and the most exciting (for me) was I was able to hand feed treats to her just last week!

Michelle with Zoe and their other adopted dog, Maverick

While everything is not perfect, Michelle learned she’s looking for progress. Small steps towards a more relaxed dog is what she is focused on in training and just spending time with her pups.

Behavior is unpredictable, but the more Michelle observes Zoe’s behavior, understands contexts of what Zoe is communicating and knowing change takes time helps even when the not-so-good days happen. Because they do and Michelle can for sure attest to them.

What is undeniable, is Michelle’s commitment to ensuring she provides an uncompromised life for both Zoe and Maverick. She is setting not only her dogs up for success daily, but she learned to do the same for herself.

While helping dogs move through their feelings of fearfulness, you learn how your own heart can grow and empathy spills over.

Taking the time and building a social bond with your dog will help your dog feel secure, trust you and feel confident in new situations. All the things you want your dog to experience.

Let’s get started! Sign up for a Discovery Call with me and let’s chat about how you can discover how to enjoy life with your dog.

Four Paws & You Dog Training Discovery Call