Are you ever discouraged because progress with your dog seems slow? Or have you given up all hope of there being a solution to the problems you’re struggling with – your dog doesn’t listen, they don’t respond to you as you wished for, you’re scared to take them out?
Here are some words of encouragement from Wendy, one of our clients…
Hi, my names Wendy and I’m here to tell you a little bit about my journey so far with Frances from Follow My Lead training, with the aim of encouraging you too keep going if you’re giving this a go like I am!
I have the most adorable, lovable, two year old kelpie cross Delilah who is pretty much the greatest thing that’s ever come into my life, not to sound dramatic but she is really is! I adopted her from Albany Animal Welfare, she was one of the puppies found abandoned in box in a plantation somewhere in Albany a couple of years back. I don’t know the person who found them but I thank them every day. She has seen me through a lot so far, she is so lovable and funny and smart.
We’ve lived our life on a farm out of town, she has lots of room and absolutely loves being a farm dog but I’d been really hard on myself for not being able to implement much training and especially not being able to take her anywhere.I spent a long time being extremely hard on myself so early this year I contacted Frances, and I’m so glad i did! She has been so exceptional and accommodating to my circumstances so far and I’m here to tell you a little about how it’s been working for me and Delilah.
We have spent a couple of months meeting weekly and she will usually give me three simple things to do with Lilah during the week. She breaks it down into small, simple steps and something that was once quite intimidating and seemingly impossible now seems possible, because the small bits of training I’ve been doing with France’s guidance have really been working. They are all confidence building and based on positive reinforcement which is why I think I’ve seen so much progress confidence wise with Lilah. Gosh she has picked up things quickly, because I’ve just been keeping at it as much as possible.
I lead a busy life too, I’m working and studying, so even with this going on I’ve seen results with Lilah. You don’t need to have all the time in the world, you just need to be consistent, which for me just means a little bit every day even if it’s only a minute or so if that’s all you can manage. Life happens so don’t be hard on yourself, just keep doing as much as you can.
The greatest thing by far to come out of this experience, even though Lilah and I are only part way through our journey, is our bond has developed even more than I ever imagined possible.
I’m so unbelievably proud seeing her pick things up and seeing especially her confidence grow. Frances has managed to install confidence in me which is a huge thing, I was full of self doubt before, thinking why can’t I just train my dog, maybe I’m not able to give her what she needs, but she breaks things down into a step by step approach that doesn’t seem overwhelming, and the thing I love is how supportive and encouraging she is. She’s taught me not to be hard on myself if something doesn’t work, to keep trying and to not lose hope.
We still have a way to go, but Delilahs progress so far has made me see its very possible to get where we want to go. That’s to the beach! Lilah’s lived her whole life on the farm and she’s very happy here but the thing I’m hardest on myself about is that she hasn’t seen much of the world. Seeing Lilah’s progress so far makes me believe that we’ll get there, the car trips are getting longer, and if she keeps making the amount of progress I’ve seen so far I know its possible. I know she’ll just love the beach!
This little bit about our journey so far with Frances from Follow My Lead is just to encourage you, if you’re giving this a go keep going, it works! I’m seeing the proof every day. Lilah is far more responsive. She knows at least three more commands. She is stopping when i tell her to stop and that is the most valuable thing. The amount of worry i used to have when she’d tear off after a kangaroo! She is happier and far more confident. I can’t wait to see where the rest of our journey with Frances takes us.
Be proud that you’re giving it a go and keep chipping away at it. The progress comes together piece by piece, it’s not immediate but trust me it happens and it when you see it working it really installs faith in you and encourages you to keep going. And they are so very worth it.
Good luck, keep going! Wendy and Lilah