Can all dogs be trained? Are some just too unruly to change? Are some breeds too slow at learning? The short answer is: Unless there is an underlying health issue that is causing serious problems, every dog is trainable – even if it may seem impossible!
As the last post of the year, I thought it would be fitting to give every dog owner hope for the new year with their dog. Whatever your dog may be doing that is challenging right now, it can probably be resolved!
Whether you have a rambunctious puppy who won’t sit still for a second and you’re beginning to wonder if you’ll ever get anywhere with training, or whether your dog is nine years old and set in their ways, things can change for the better.
Below are the stories of some dogs that I’ve helped in the past who could easily have been categorised as hopeless cases. But training made all the difference.
PIXIE – Senior dog
First up is Pixie, my own dog! Pixie is a Yorkie Chihuahua cross from a rescue centre in Broom. She has never had positive interactions with other dogs and has absolutely no idea how to greet a dog, or ask them to play. She used to go really aggressive every time she saw another dog, even in the distance or behind someone else’s fence. When she was 10 years old, I did some training with her to resolve this issue.
Now she will follow dogs going for walks along the fence line, but won’t try to bite them or growl at them through the fence. I feel confident to take her outside the property because I know that she will come when I call her (she learnt to come when she was nine!) and will sit in an emergency. She has had accidental interaction with neighbouring dogs that have escaped and come to visit us. Pixie will rush up to them, then sniff. She is tense, but no longer aggressive. She still has no idea how to put other dogs at ease because unfortunately I can’t get on my hands and knees to teach her that! If I could, I would! However, I no longer have to feel really scared about her meeting another dog by accident!
DAISY – Stress
Daisy (6 years old) is a very gentle-natured Cocker Spaniel. When her family moved house, she thought her life had fallen apart and she became insecure and defensive, especially to strange noises and new people. When I visited the first time, she growled at me for gently fondling her ears. She didn’t like being touched by strangers at all. After a lot of dedicated work on her owners’ part, Daisy has settled down. She trusts her owners now. She no longer feels stressed from the presence of new people, and is back to her old self.
BODIE – Really and Truly Stubborn
Bodie (short for Boadicea) is a Jack Russel nearly a year old. When I met her, she was about the most aloof and stubborn dog I’ve ever met! Many dogs just don’t know what you want and seem to be ignoring you. Bodie knew exactly what we wanted and still ignored us. Inside the house, you could get super exited and call her to come to you. She’d stand or sit just out of reach and look you right in the eye, then sniff the air. “No!” she was saying.
If you went to pat her, she’d jump back out of reach. Then, when she felt like it, she’d jump right onto your lap and MAKE you give her a pat. A hopeless case, you might think, but after a bit of training, Bodie has discovered how wonderful listening to people is. She loves to do what you ask, and is really keen to learn more all the time. She is VERY smart. Too smart, as I like to sometimes say. She’s the type to out-smart her people. (Sound familiar?) But now her quick mind is being exercised in the right ways and she’s a pure joy to be around.
JOSEY and BILBO – Full of Curiosity
Josey is a hansom Kelpie/Border Collie/Huntaway with a very experienced owner. But Josey was something new! He has endless energy, but can only concentrate for half an hour at a time! He used to pull his owner along for walks, and get into everything along the way. He’d sniff and want to greet every person he saw, and would quickly forget that you existed! Life was too interesting! Josey has come a long way. He is now able to walk up York St. without pouncing on every passer-by, and thanks to the commitment of his wonderful owners, will contain his energy and relax happily on a mat at home when asked to. He comes very reliably at the dog park, even in the middle of a game with another dog. He barely ever takes his eyes off his owner if he can help it, and goes to find her when he loses sight of her.
Bilbo, the sweetest Cavalier ever, was similar to Josey in that the excitement of being out and about made him uncontrollable. When out walking, he would whine when he saw another dog or a person and wanted to cover as much ground as possible in as short a time as possible. He would also forget about listening if he was let off the leash. His owner is really good at training, but it just wasn’t working. After getting help with me, Bilbo is far more calm on walks. He knows that he’ll get to the smells eventually and isn’t in such a hurry anymore. He comes – even at the beach, and loves to do what he’s asked.
Both of these dogs’ owners have learned how to manage their dogs’ eagerness. They understand their dogs better and there is wonderful communication between them.
FONZIE – Overwhelming Energy
Fonzie is a Boxer and is nearly a year old. He hasn’t finished training with me yet, but has made some great progress. When people would arrive at his house, whether it was his owners or guests, Fonzie would bounce up and down like something on springs and do spins on the spot in excitement. Funny to watch – from a distance, but really not practical in day to day life.
Pretty quickly, Fonzie learned new things to do when people arrive. He is much calmer overall and won’t force you to give him attention. He is now learning how to slow down when he’s out in public too. That’s going to take a little longer because he is so eager to discover new things, but he learns very fast. The new year holds a lot for Fonzie and his owners.
To all of these dogs and owners I want to say WELL DONE! To you, if you are struggling with your dog, I want to say THERE IS HOPE! You can get to where you want to be. You don’t want to change your dog’s personality, but you do want to be able to just enjoy them and not worry. Find a trainer who can guide you through the best process for you and your specific dog, so that you can also have the dog you long for.
Have a fabulous Christmas with your best furry friend!
I’ll see you in the new year.
Frances Ullrich
