Lois the Miniature Schnauzer was just one year old when she arrived in my free online Workshop in January with her owner Carol. She had some “growly issues” and Carol was hoping to improve life with her beloved puppy with some new skills.
They so enjoyed the Workshop that Carol went on to join an online course of mine to continue her progress. And progress she did!
Here’s what she posted just five weeks after starting the course:
Gold Star Day!
This afternoon Lois and I have been to the pub!! .... yes the PUB, on our OWN!!
We only stayed 15 minutes, but it’s a start and I shall now do it once or twice each week with her.
She was impeccably behaved, straight down on her mat, where she stayed, chomping away on her rice bone - didn’t bother anyone.
I have never been in a pub by myself, always felt too uncomfortable. It’s great fun - she’s taking me places I would never have dreamt of going to alone, and I’ll continue with the short visits for as long as it takes. Short bus trip soon I think as well.
Here’s a picture of Lois minding her own business on her mat on her very first pub visit! Matwork is an important part of the training I give, and this is one of the reasons it’s so popular.
I was delighted to see that Lois was now opening up a new world for Carol, one where she gave her owner the confidence to try new things, visit new places, enjoy companionship, safe in the knowledge that her dog could handle herself perfectly and not cause her embarrassment or anxiety.
Then Carol was back a couple of weeks later with this outstanding video of Loose Lead Walking in her town. She said, “Can’t believe the change in my dog - so proud of her!”
Notice the soft, loopy lead in this video, and Lois’s frequent check-ins with Carol, complete with a sit when she pauses. Nicely done Lois!
One of the by-products of this improved relationship between owner and dog is that Lois’s reactivity is much diminished:
Our growly girl Lois is MUCH less growly now!! My theory is her impulse control is tons better, and also her focusing (on me) when we are out, plus we are BOTH much more relaxed.
Aaah!
And the icing on the cake for me was this post from Carol after she completed the course and thanked all her new friends in the group:
We’ve completely finished the course, and Lois is our neighbourhood star as her loose lead walking is absolutely spot on now.
Thank you Beverley and everyone for your continued support.
Want to know how Carol achieved all this, so quickly? Watch our free Workshop and learn something exciting!
If you’re already a subscriber at Brilliant Family Dog, you’ll be hearing about it direct. And if you’re not yet receiving my informative and quirky emails - well, you know what I think about that … you should come hang out with us! Sign up for the Workshop and you’ll get all this fun info!
