Spooky dogs - those who are easily startled or frightened by everyday events and have difficulty recovering from their alarm - need a multi-faceted approach to helping them live better. Their sense of security can be improved with confidence in their jobs, but they also need desensitizing to something that's hard to control - surprises and novelty. I took this pic of Charlie at our first appointment, after she had time to get over the surprise of finding me in her house, and could show me how sweet she really is.
Bailey is such a good little learner, sometimes the task is helping her temper her enthusiasm for giving you the right answer, before she gives you what you asked for plus everything else in her repertoire. Here she's showing me how Down she is. Like really Down. Hard. So Down. Look! Down!
A story with a happy ending for Millie, whom I've been working with at the Mississauga Animal Shelter. She was adopted last week by a lovely, experienced family, and I get to help them at home with her ability to tolerate surprise visitors, and whatever training needs they discover once she settles in.
I've been working with Deja at the Mississauga Animal Shelter. A German Shepherd, perhaps more than some breeds, needs a job and a hobby and then something to do, as well as a solid napping life. All of that is hard to give him in a shelter, so we're working on how to help him quiet his mind and relax.
I don't get to play with a Catahoula Leopard Dog very often, and of course it brings back memories of my own girl, Freckles when I do. This is Ozzy, a loving boy who just needs to practice some restraint in showing his affection, both to his family and to any potential new friends on the street.
