How it all started:
Loki…
Despite growing up with a variety of dogs, it wasn't until I adopted an 8 month old rescue that I came to realise the importance of dog training. A year living with a challenging Rottweiler changed everything for me. Arriving into my home was a dog who didn’t know his name, nor how to play. He knew no boundaries, resource guarded everything (eventually including me), was increasingly quick to react aggressively to other dogs and people, and was prone to redirecting his frustration or anger onto me, his only family. I accepted the challenge, but I'd be lying if I said everything went smoothly. The learning curve was immense, and I ended up losing in the long run. I failed him.
I did my best with him with the little knowledge that I had then of course, and admittedly achieved much. Friends noticed it, neighbours did too, but despite all that, something wasn’t right. Despite help from some local dog trainers, and earning some small wins, Loki, a dominant dog in the true sense, became more and more reactive and aggressive, and our relationship as a whole faltered to the point that I made the hard decision to have him rehomed. Some upsetting life circumstances combined with our fractured relationship, caused my mental health to suffer immensely, and it was no longer fair on either of us to stick together.
While the rescue charity which I’d adopted Loki from were busy finding him a new home, I set my eyes on one final trainer all the way in Glasgow, who seemed to yield good results and whose reviews spoke for themselves. This would be my leaving gift for Loki; my mental health being what it was, I was resolved on having him rehomed, no matter the outcome of this training session. And yet, I wanted to believe there was a way to make Loki the great dog I knew he had the potential to be. It was upon meeting this trainer that my understanding of dog training changed forever.
This trainer did more for us in the space of an hour, than four previous trainers had managed altogether. There was still work to do, but I'd finally been shown the right methods to communicate effectively and fairly with Loki. I was introduced to concepts regarding dog psychology that I'd never been exposed to by other trainers, and I became more confident in myself, which in turn allowed Loki to trust me, leading him to making better decisions.
If only I'd found this trainer sooner… The best I was able to do at this point was to pass on my newfound knowledge to his future family so they could keep working on building a better relationship together. Last I heard, he was doing well. I can only hope that's true.
“Buddy is noticeably calmer with visitors with the training he had”
“Thomas is very much a dog lover - understanding their needs and being patient with us!”
With Loki gone, my obsession with dog training and behaviour modification only peaked. My goal became to study and train hard, feeling I had to make ammends for what happened. To become the dog trainer specialised in behaviour modification that I failed to find in time in my local area.
First hand experience with a dog like Loki, combined with reputable dog training courses, seminars, some KC group training, and a lot of friends with dogs with which to practice on, have since allowed me to help dozens of dogs around Fife and Edinburgh, who now lead a more stress-free life with their owners.
If you feel like you’ve tried everything, and are at your wits’ end.. if you can relate to anything I wrote above.. If your appeals for help have been rejected by behaviourists or trainers afraid of a bite history or similar… If you’re considering or have been advised to rehome or euthanise your dog but you’d like to give it one last try… Please get in touch.
NO DOGS GET TURNED DOWN HERE.
