Introduction:
I had been attending training classes for years with several of my dogs—Duke, a found hound; Dallas, a Lab Chow mix; and Savannah, a Walker Hound.These classes were geared towards preparing for the show ring, focusing on obedience and rally. Under the capable guidance of our trainer, the students did well in competitions. Although I never intended to show my dogs, I loved learning about them and spending time with people who shared my passion.
When it came time to get my next dog, I knew exactly what I wanted—a German Shepherd puppy. My plan was to start early with puppy classes and continue through advanced obedience, envisioning a well-trained, obedient companion.
The Beginning:
One of my classmates, an ethical breeder of German Shepherds, had a new litter of puppies. Her dogs were known for good health, excellent lineage, and superior showmanship. I was thrilled to bring Davy, as I called my pup, into my home and heart. We started off strong. I envisioned him maturing into the most amazing dog I had ever owned. He was smart, and when he looked at me with those beautiful eyes and cocked head, it was as if he was asking, “What’s next?”
My Hopes Dashed:
However, Davy’s behavior was anything but smooth sailing. He exhibited tendencies to bark and lunge at other dogs, cats, and squirrels—on walks, from the yard, and even inside the house. He became embarrassing and destructive. My once adorable puppy turned into a 60-pound adult dog that I could only walk when no one else was around. His window antics led to noisy outbursts and chewed-up windowsills. Traditional training classes did nothing to resolve our issues. At the age of five, Davy was asked not to return to class following a vocal altercation with a newly attending Dachshund. The experience left me grappling with a range of emotions—from embarrassment to guilt and shame.
The Turning Point:
Determined to find a solution, I embarked on a quest to understand the difference between obedience and behavior modification. I learned that while obedience training focuses on tasks like sit, down, stay, wait, and come, behavior modification addresses how dogs feel and react to the world around them. While Davy was capable of being a Blue Ribbon Champion in the ring, his behavior made that impossible.
Our turning point came when I took the time to truly understand his reactions and changed my approach with a new perspective. This was when life with Davy shifted from being hard and frustrating to becoming easier and more fulfilling.
Challenges and Joys:
No longer do I have to check if the coast is clear to take him for a walk. We now regularly visit our neighborhood parks, where he can sniff, enjoy some parkour, and get exercise. We walk quietly in the neighborhood, even passing dogs behind fences without incident. My worries about others judging me as a clueless dog owner or labeling Davy as difficult have been replaced with comments like, “Wow, Davy is not the same dog,” and “You’re doing a wonderful job with him.”
Acceptance and Unconditional Love:
Davy is nine years old now, and our journey has evolved into a beautiful partnership with an unbreakable bond.
Conclusion:
Davy is “that dog”—the one who taught me more than I could have learned from any other dog. Our experience has shifted my focus to include both obedience and behavior modification in my training. My goal is to provide solutions in my community for pet owners who have dogs like Davy.
My journey with Davy has inspired me to become a Canine Reactivity Specialist so that I can help others whose dogs need more than traditional training classes. If my success with Davy can help you and your dog, then this journey has been worth every challenge.
