Dog Training Case Studies & Client Comments
Caz is truly inspirational, her experience and training methods are in a class of their own. If you think it’s too late to train your pooch, then think again. Caz can help you.
Complete Turnaround of Aggressive Golden Retriever - Case Study
I want to mention my experience of working with a male golden retriever and his lovely owner as this case was one of my absolute favourites even though it was a few years ago. I loved working with these two and I love to tell others about their experience as it proves the point that it is never too late to solve severe behavioural issues.
The young lady owner contacted me about her dog as a last resort! She had been to see quite a variety of dog trainers, behaviourists as well as vets. She had tried to train her dog from a puppy but had run into various difficulties despite her best efforts and probably her dog being attacked by another dog in the park had turned a few challenges into major issues. These issues continued to a point where the dog had a number of behavioural problems and was totally out of hand.
This customer phoned me in distress as following a recent episode of aggression towards humans she had been to the vet for yet more advice and was in fact advised for her own safety and the dog's well being to have him put to sleep. The owner knew that she was having serious problems with her dog, he was nearly four years old and having tried hard to improve things, she felt she was out of options. On the verge of giving up, she found me on Facebook and I am pleased that she did!
I discovered on the telephone that this dog would lunge and try to attack any human or dog or indeed any animal he came across. That if he had an opportunity to get to anyone, even people he knew he would kick off and attack. He had by this point bitten friends and relatives and quite badly on occasion.
The dog was out of control on the lead in all circumstances and at all times - he would pull and lunge and his petite owner could no longer keep him under any degree of control so gave up walking him.
Taking him to the vet was a huge problem - so all vet appointments required the vet to visit the home or see the dog while muzzled in the car.
He also suffered with huge separation anxiety and couldn't tolerate his owner leaving him or even going in another room.
He couldn't tolerate anyone visiting or being near his owner so her partner had to move out and her family couldn't visit. Finally the dog had begun to turn on the owner.
I have to confess that I was worried about this dog in that I obviously wanted to provide him and his owner with enough improvement that they could live normally and that the dog would not need to be pts. However, I also understood that the owner was afraid of her dog, had lost her confidence and that this would be a challenge.
Often with severe behavioural issues I will prefer to visit a dog at their own home but I decided I would prefer to start at my place if she had the ability to bring him. With muzzle in place and some difficulty the owner brought him to me and I helped her to get him out of the car and I took him to the school, removed his muzzle and began doing what I do.
A huge and incredibly strong, polar bear type of a golden retriever - a beautiful dog with a beautiful face - but I could understand why the vet suggested he be pts. He was rather like a monster!
I wont go into all of the details of what I do or how I worked with this dog as I would be here all day but I can assure you that at no point was any force, shouting, punishment or coercion or bribery used in helping this dog.
And the reasons for his issues were complex but massively stem from the fact that he was taken from his mother too young at 6 weeks. Although the legal age for a puppy to leave it's mother is 8 weeks, my personal opinion is that dogs will tend to benefit from a bit longer than that with their mother and siblings. There are lessons on terms of boundaries, respect, social behaviour, confidence and mental development that come from a puppy being with it's canine family and these lessons are not easily taught to a dog by a human.
But I do believe that this dog was at a disadvantage from the offset through leaving way too young. The owner had attempted to train the dog with various methods but had never really gained any compliance from him so he lacked boundaries and became bossy at a young age. It was not until he became adult that the problems really began to cause his human family some problems. By this time he was out of hand and his ending up in a fight in a local park caused him to become nervous aggressive with dogs and things spiralled...
Anyway - back to his first session. Stopping him from trying to attack me actually wasn't a massive problem, the main challenge was to gain his attention and progress this to gaining his compliance. By the end of the first session he went from the appearance of a lunatic to a dog that was walking nicely by my side and giving me eyes. and responding very well. I got him to work with some obedience and he really began to work.
Next I got his owner working him and hoped that she would follow my advice and really see the whole thing through.....she did!!!!
So, they came up the very next two days and I did a bit and the owner began to take over and get her confidence and so did the dog. His demeanour changed from an aggressive delinquent to a happier dog who began to look to his owner for direction. As the dog began to trust the owner his problems disappeared and happily he found that he loved his obedience training and took to it rapidly and enthusiastically. We added distractions and challenges and by the 3rd session this beautiful dog was working near to me and my dog working.
4th session was a group class - with support they did fine! And the owner was brilliant and worked so hard on this dog - with a bit of help and some proper skills she really got to work and transformed her dog.
5th session was another group class and my client invited her family to watch - her mother was in tears and couldn't believe the change in him.
By this point dog and owner were now able to go for walks in public and cope if another loose dog approached. The dog had become happy to go past people and dogs and even start to be approached. We also worked on his separation anxiety which had already improved due to all the other aspects of his lifestyle changes. But the pair of them kept working, turning up to dog training classes and they went from strength to strength.
Almost a year after I first met these two I ran our Fun Dog Show and they turned up and entered everything! But the best moment was the final class which was a free style type of a competition obedience class where each entry did a 2min display to show off their dog's training etc. On or off lead - owners choice. Well these guys came in and gave a fab off lead performance with beautiful heel work, lovely send aways, remote sit/downs....recall, near to other dogs and people all afternoon - perfect behaviour throughout. All beautiful and relaxed and happy faces!! I wasn't the judge and the judge knew nothing of dog or owner but he picked them for his winner.
Those of us who knew dog and owner and had seen their journey were so happy and so proud of them both - really one of the nicest things I have ever seen. I wish I had been into filming things a few years ago as this would have been the best before and after. However I think this is a good example of how it is never too late to train your dog and that it is always worth the effort.
The owner absolutely did take every piece of advice and instruction I gave her, right from handling, training, feeding and literally everything she and her dog did through day and night! But she did it and stuck to it and was totally committed to it - it worked and she has a highly trained, perfectly behaved, reliable and happy dog!!!
I want to mention my experience of working with a male golden retriever and his lovely owner as this case was one of my absolute favourites even though it was a few years ago. I loved working with these two and I love to tell others about their experience as it proves the point that it is never too late to solve severe behavioural issues.
The young lady owner contacted me about her dog as a last resort! She had been to see quite a variety of dog trainers, behaviourists as well as vets. She had tried to train her dog from a puppy but had run into various difficulties despite her best efforts and probably her dog being attacked by another dog in the park had turned a few challenges into major issues. These issues continued to a point where the dog had a number of behavioural problems and was totally out of hand.
This customer phoned me in distress as following a recent episode of aggression towards humans she had been to the vet for yet more advice and was in fact advised for her own safety and the dog's well being to have him put to sleep. The owner knew that she was having serious problems with her dog, he was nearly four years old and having tried hard to improve things, she felt she was out of options. On the verge of giving up, she found me on Facebook and I am pleased that she did!
I discovered on the telephone that this dog would lunge and try to attack any human or dog or indeed any animal he came across. That if he had an opportunity to get to anyone, even people he knew he would kick off and attack. He had by this point bitten friends and relatives and quite badly on occasion.
The dog was out of control on the lead in all circumstances and at all times - he would pull and lunge and his petite owner could no longer keep him under any degree of control so gave up walking him.
Taking him to the vet was a huge problem - so all vet appointments required the vet to visit the home or see the dog while muzzled in the car.
He also suffered with huge separation anxiety and couldn't tolerate his owner leaving him or even going in another room.
He couldn't tolerate anyone visiting or being near his owner so her partner had to move out and her family couldn't visit. Finally the dog had begun to turn on the owner.
I have to confess that I was worried about this dog in that I obviously wanted to provide him and his owner with enough improvement that they could live normally and that the dog would not need to be pts. However, I also understood that the owner was afraid of her dog, had lost her confidence and that this would be a challenge.
Often with severe behavioural issues I will prefer to visit a dog at their own home but I decided I would prefer to start at my place if she had the ability to bring him. With muzzle in place and some difficulty the owner brought him to me and I helped her to get him out of the car and I took him to the school, removed his muzzle and began doing what I do.
A huge and incredibly strong, polar bear type of a golden retriever - a beautiful dog with a beautiful face - but I could understand why the vet suggested he be pts. He was rather like a monster!
I wont go into all of the details of what I do or how I worked with this dog as I would be here all day but I can assure you that at no point was any force, shouting, punishment or coercion or bribery used in helping this dog.
And the reasons for his issues were complex but massively stem from the fact that he was taken from his mother too young at 6 weeks. Although the legal age for a puppy to leave it's mother is 8 weeks, my personal opinion is that dogs will tend to benefit from a bit longer than that with their mother and siblings. There are lessons on terms of boundaries, respect, social behaviour, confidence and mental development that come from a puppy being with it's canine family and these lessons are not easily taught to a dog by a human.
But I do believe that this dog was at a disadvantage from the offset through leaving way too young. The owner had attempted to train the dog with various methods but had never really gained any compliance from him so he lacked boundaries and became bossy at a young age. It was not until he became adult that the problems really began to cause his human family some problems. By this time he was out of hand and his ending up in a fight in a local park caused him to become nervous aggressive with dogs and things spiralled...
Anyway - back to his first session. Stopping him from trying to attack me actually wasn't a massive problem, the main challenge was to gain his attention and progress this to gaining his compliance. By the end of the first session he went from the appearance of a lunatic to a dog that was walking nicely by my side and giving me eyes. and responding very well. I got him to work with some obedience and he really began to work.
Next I got his owner working him and hoped that she would follow my advice and really see the whole thing through.....she did!!!!
So, they came up the very next two days and I did a bit and the owner began to take over and get her confidence and so did the dog. His demeanour changed from an aggressive delinquent to a happier dog who began to look to his owner for direction. As the dog began to trust the owner his problems disappeared and happily he found that he loved his obedience training and took to it rapidly and enthusiastically. We added distractions and challenges and by the 3rd session this beautiful dog was working near to me and my dog working.
4th session was a group class - with support they did fine! And the owner was brilliant and worked so hard on this dog - with a bit of help and some proper skills she really got to work and transformed her dog.
5th session was another group class and my client invited her family to watch - her mother was in tears and couldn't believe the change in him.
By this point dog and owner were now able to go for walks in public and cope if another loose dog approached. The dog had become happy to go past people and dogs and even start to be approached. We also worked on his separation anxiety which had already improved due to all the other aspects of his lifestyle changes. But the pair of them kept working, turning up to dog training classes and they went from strength to strength.
Almost a year after I first met these two I ran our Fun Dog Show and they turned up and entered everything! But the best moment was the final class which was a free style type of a competition obedience class where each entry did a 2min display to show off their dog's training etc. On or off lead - owners choice. Well these guys came in and gave a fab off lead performance with beautiful heel work, lovely send aways, remote sit/downs....recall, near to other dogs and people all afternoon - perfect behaviour throughout. All beautiful and relaxed and happy faces!! I wasn't the judge and the judge knew nothing of dog or owner but he picked them for his winner.
Those of us who knew dog and owner and had seen their journey were so happy and so proud of them both - really one of the nicest things I have ever seen. I wish I had been into filming things a few years ago as this would have been the best before and after. However I think this is a good example of how it is never too late to train your dog and that it is always worth the effort.
The owner absolutely did take every piece of advice and instruction I gave her, right from handling, training, feeding and literally everything she and her dog did through day and night! But she did it and stuck to it and was totally committed to it - it worked and she has a highly trained, perfectly behaved, reliable and happy dog!!!
I had been debating on contacting a dog trainer for some time before I actually made the call - I was concerned that they would all just want ‘pretty little puppies’ in their class and not my great brut of a hairy monster, especially at his age, also I thought I may they be judged for letting him get to this stage. Whilst we were out and about I wanted everyone to see the calm, loving, friendly dog that wants to please his family that we see at home but unfortunately when we have been out this is not the side of him that he puts on show, he barks at any passing animal and although this is not in aggression, he has a very deep (and loud!) bark so people were not always very understanding. From the first call to Caz my fears were gone, she made it clear that she did not judge anyone who was asking for her help and was certainly willing to give him a chance. I am so pleased she did. It’s early days but she has made a huge difference to his behaviour already, it has been a steep learning curve for us both but it has been a fun process for both Major and myself that has left us more connected than ever. Thanks again Caz - Major and I are both looking forward to our next class.
I have had three years of my dog pulling me about! I tried an assortment of trainers and behaviourists but my dog's behaviour only worsened. For the past year, as a result of the pulling and lunging my shoulders have been permanently in agony and I decided to give up walking my dog. As a result his behaviour at home became chronic. I contacted Caz as a last, desperate attempt to sort my dog's behaviour. Caz reassured me from the onset that my dog was sortable and that I would be having fun with him very soon and that my shoulders would never be put under strain again. I didn't believe her to be honest, however, after a first two hour session with Caz I truly went home with a different dog. He simply does not pull anymore, he listens to me and walks to heel on a soft lead. I am now walking him every day and following all of Caz's advice - and I am having fun with my dog! I never thought this was possible for my boy but it has been achieved without any fuss or bother. His behaviour at home has also improved massively and I couldn't be happier. Thank you caz
Thank you Caz for a complete turn around in my 8mth old Staffie, Stevie!!! In one lesson I now have her walking to heel, sitting when I stop and listening to everything I ask of her!!! And in a class lesson today, not one lip curl or growl at another dog! She loved it, I am so happy and look forward to next session next Sunday! Highly recommended if you have not been before!!! x
Tania Moore
Tania Moore
I suffered two years of my dog, Teddy pulling whenever he was on the lead and lunging and barking at anyone and everything he saw and I was afraid to take him out in public. Caz taught Teddy to walk to heel in about ten minutes - she didn't pull him once, no drama! Caz made it look easy. She then taught me to do what she does, which is different to what I have done before, but Caz is patient and takes her time to demonstrate and explain everything. Very quickly I found that I too was able to get Teddy doing beautiful work which I had doubted he would ever be capable of doing. By the end of the first session Caz had Teddy working politely next to her dogs. Caz did another session with us in a busy setting to reinforce all that we had learned and to progress to coping with meeting people and dogs when out in public. The handling methods that I have learned from Caz have removed all of the stress and argument I used to have whenever Teddy saw dogs or people and I found myself feeling confident to cope if Teddy kicked off. But the fact that Teddy has learned to walk to heel and listen to me seems also to have massively reduced his inclination to kick off in any case. I am now able to take Teddy anywhere and he no longer barks or lunges at all, he is a much happier, calmer and nicer dog and I only met Caz a couple of weeks ago. Thank you so much Caz xxx