It was a struggle for him to stay focused, even with minimal distractions.
When we first brought Monte home he was people friendly but had a wariness for his surroundings. He was super reactive on walks, escalating quickly before we could distract him. He’d chew through a leash in seconds and reacted to dogs walking past the house, dogs on the TV, and once he even freaked out when I came downstairs wearing dog-printed PJs.
When we met Margaret at My Dog’s Mind, she described him as “a teenager with the social skills of a toddler.” Working with her, we could see the results of our perseverance and consistency.
To Rick’s and my excitement, Monte graduated to group classes as long as he had his own coned-off zone. When Monte joined the Dayschool, he wore a doggie backpack at the suggestion of Terence, its weight would make him feel more secure, not unlike a Thundershirt. Today, he no longer needs that backpack.
Monte has transformed from his time at My Dog’s Mind. He is calmer and though he can still be reactive, it is easier to redirect him. He loves to work and our bond has only grown stronger through the years. He has friends at Dayschool and he’s even made friends in our neighborhood.
He still doesn’t get along with every dog, but now we know how to set him up for success instead of failure, and for that Rick and I thank Terence, Margaret, and all the other trainers at My Dog’s Mind.
Lisa Herbster and Rick Vaillancourt
