07/01/2023
This is why we do what we do.
I had my third lesson today with Jen for my dog Gabby Rose. I wanted to let you know that the lessons with Jen have made a dramatic difference for us. We adopted Gabby Rose in December. After seeing nothing but sweet behavior for the first three days, she shocked us by becoming aggressive with a delivery driver who was on our porch. Gabby is approximately 5 years old and was abandoned in Yakima, so we don't know her history. Those were early days, and she settled down, but continued to be very reactive while on the leash, especially towards other dogs. Things were to the point that people started changing direction when they saw us coming, if they had seen us before. It was humiliating and so discouraging. The final straw was just before I called to set up lessons, when Gabby suddenly lunged at, and tried to bite a man in our neighborhood who was simply walking by (while I was walking her.)
It's hard to believe that after only three lessons, things have so vastly improved. Granted, Gabby is smart, eager to please, and very treat motivated, so she has been an easy pupil. But prior to meeting with Jen, I had done a lot of online research and done my very best to do everything right with regard to training Gabby. Initially I had confidence that I could fix this myself. However, as the saying goes, "You don't know what you don't know." When Gabby lunged at that poor man - and very nearly bit him - I knew I needed the help of a professional.
Jen gave me new strategies that started working immediately. Now that we have been practicing for a couple of months, the change is amazing.
Gabby continues to get stressed around certain stimuli, but now she knows to look at me when she sees something that peaks her interest, and she knows that she will be rewarded for focusing her attention on me, rather than the dog, bicyclist or skateboarder that is ramping her up. By using what Jen taught me, I can walk Gabby with confidence, because I know I have strategies to redirect her attention. She hasn't miraculously turned into a perfect dog, but her behavior is greatly improved. I no longer feel embarrassed to take her out in the neighborhood. And people have stopped running away when they see us coming haha.
The training has also taught me how to read Gabby's signals better and to anticipate when she needs to be redirected, in addition to teaching Gabby to look at me, rather than maintain focus on the perceived threat. It's an ongoing process, but things are so much better. Before the lessons with Jen, I was coming home from my dog walks on the verge of tears. We don't have a fenced yard, so I had to walk her several times a day. I was incredibly frustrated. Now our walks are pleasant and I have a better attitude. When I see someone approaching, I feel equipped to handle it, and it feels like a training opportunity, rather than a potential disaster. I know that Gabby feels less stressed because I'm less stressed, as well.
I really want to applaud Jen for being such a great teacher. She has such a confident and positive attitude. She made me feel at ease and was never patronizing or condescending. When I needed a correction with regard to what I was doing, I always felt respected and encouraged. Lots of people who have impressive skill sets are great at "doing" but not necessarily great at teaching. I'm guessing that training dogs is easier than training people, but Jen is great at both.
I'm not being dramatic when I tell you that what I have learned in these classes has improved the quality of my life on a daily basis.
Thanks to Jen and to you for doing the very important work that you do.
D
