Diesel

Meet Diesel

Everyone meet Diesel. This handsome fella came through The Ruff Life Training, but his mommy thought that he needed a little extra one on one time with Monique. Diesel has some pretty big confidence issues. He feels that offence is his best defence. Diesel has been known to be stand offish with both people and dogs. He may even go so far as to bare his teeth, growl and snap at both dogs and people. He likes others to see him as a tough guy, when really he is just a big sensitive suck. We know this handsome guy has a heart of gold, it's just a matter of showing him that the way he is going about things is all wrong. Human & Doggy friends can be a lot of fun!

Session 1 of 3

(Wednesday, January. 29th 2014)

Today we went to pick Diesel up from his home, and to chat with his mom about the things we wanted to work on. When we arrived Diesel was behind a baby gate, and came across as excited to see us. However when the baby gate disappeared, and it was the 3 of us standing in the front entrance way... Diesel made it very clear that he was uncomfortable. He gave us his paw to hold, but then growled and bared his teeth at us. So we asked his mommy to hand us the leash so he could see that his mom 'approved' of us... and we were on our way.

Once out of the house, Diesels behaviour totally changed. He was no longer growly and owly! you could tell he was uncertain of what was going on... but jumped up into the truck with no problems.

Once we got to the dog park Diesel was on high alert. He didn't want any dogs near him at all, but he seemed to be just fine with people. It was a good day to be at the park, as we had lots of people and doggy friends to help teach Diesel that friends are a good thing ;) and that he had lots of them. He just had to let them in.

We decided to keep the session fairly simple! As we didn't want to overwhelm him. So we worked on TONS of confidence boosting drills, a tiny bit of obedience, fun recalls, and desensitizing him to people and dogs. (and we played in the snow of course!) 

By the end of the class Diesel was spending most of his time at the end of the 20ft leash. His recalls and obedience were great! He was also weaving through the dogs and people like it wasn't such a big deal! 

What a good boy! We can not wait to see this man show his true colours! He know he has so much potential... we just need to help him see what we see. 

Looking forward to working with this handsome guy again next week! Keep checking back for more updates on the adventures of Diesel!

(A Big THANKS to Vanessa with Roxy, Danby with Kimber & Tikka, Heather with Bane & Luna, Ricki with Little and Kona & Yoko for their puppy support)

Session 2 of 3

(Wednesday, February. 5th 2014)

Oh Diesel, or should we call you Super Deeee! You did fantastic! you are like a TOTALLY different dog. We still have a few things to clean up for sure...but you were a super hero today! Not only where you mingling and trying to play with other dogs, but you were letting random people pet you. YAY! We are so happy with your progress! We even have had people come up to us at the dog park and say he has improved immensely!

We still need to work on a few things with Mr. D ... like showing is teeth to a few dogs when there is food around him... but with a little verbal guidance... he changes his tone. We hope that next week we can get Diesel off of his training collar, and perhaps even his leash for part of the class. ;)

Here is a fun little video (something a little different then our typical videos) of Diesel in action... literally. ;)

(A Big THANKS to Ricki with Little and Kona & Yoko for their puppy support)

Session 3 of 3

(Tuesday, February. 18th 2014)

Super D! You were such a super star today! 

This handsome man LOVED LOVED LOVED doing his confidence boosting drills! We were even able to get tons of distance! Such a smart boy!

Diesel has gone from a reactive boy around other dogs and some people to a happy smiling pooch that runs along side of other dogs, tries to incise them to play with a stick, and continually looks to us for what we will get him to do next. ;)

It is going to be really important for Diesel's mommy to constantly challenge his mind and give him a job to do so she can keep his confidence up! He needs different things to do, so he can concentrate on those instead of focusing on the negative things in life. (We can all be guilty of that sometimes)

Some other things that they will need to work on, is praising D in uncomfortable situations (and when he is being good of course) and giving him an "out" if he needs it! 

After doing the mini session with Diesel and his mommy... we know they will do great... as long as they put them selves in situations where they can excel. 

Check out how far this boy has come in 3 short sessions!! We can NOT wait to get updated on his progress.

(A Big THANKS to Carmin with Cabella and Kona & Yoko for their puppy support)