Lucky, Lucky Wilson
Trainers often complain about owner non-compliance and lament the inability to inspire a sense of urgency in new puppy owners. It’s not that trainers don’t like people (for the most part), but it is that trainers often see the sad results of an under-socialized, shy, untrained dog when adolescence comes storming through the door. We know that every puppy, no matter how cute, is at risk of losing its home if certain things don’t happen within a certain timeframe.
Wilson came to my Adolescent Manners class when he was on the brink of his 16th week. He was painfully shy. He was interested in the other dogs, but far too nervous to play. He wasn’t entirely keen on being handled by new people either.
I decided that despite his age I would allow him into our puppy class for a few weeks to make this a bit easier on him. My big fear was that his owners would ignore my warnings about doing some super-intensive, emergency socialization. I explained that they needed to move NOW and hoped that Wilson would get right out into the world to see, hear, smell and touch as many new things as he could handle.
I’ve been disappointed in the past when owners have returned to class having made no effort, other than coming up with plenty of excuses. Not so with Wilson!! Luckily, his parents listened and acted! Wilson has since been taking treats from strangers, meeting lots of dogs, meeting the neighbors, visiting other peoples’ houses and going on lots of outings with his family.
At our last class meeting, Wilson was running around the room chasing other dogs like a maniac. Well, until he heard his parents call him, at which time he immediately stopped playing and ran straight to them for a quick sit, a pat on the head and a “go play!”
Wilson’s parents have also been playing scent games, stuffing Kongs, hand feeding and teaching Wilson basic manners and tricks like “roll over”. His life is very full!
What I see in Wilson is a canine life saved. Not by me, but by his responsible, open and willing owners. This dog had been heading down the path of fear biting, dog fighting, separation anxiety and various adolescent angst. While I don’t believe his parents could ever imagine re-homing him, taking him to a shelter or having him euthanized, that picture sometimes changes when a dog starts biting people.
Maybe he would have been fine. Maybe he will still have some behavioral problems crop up in the future. What matters is that right now he is a confident, well-rounded dog. His parents have done the work they needed to do and are continuing to provide Wilson with all he needs to greatly increase his chances of becoming a wonderful adult dog.
Lucky, lucky Wilson!
A Confident Beach Dog...Go Wilson!
Wilson&Dad
Beach Explorer
