For the last 2 1/2 years, I’ve enjoyed our rescue cowboy Corgi Zeke. He came from a good environment where the previous owners raised him from a puppy and loved him; however, as Zeke got older, he would fight with the existing dogs in the house. After putting Zeke through training and doing everything possible to get the dogs to cohabitate, the previous owners surrendered him to our local corgi rescue.
About four months prior, we had lost our corgi, Sam, and I was ready for a new addition. Enter Zeke. Zeke was two years old when he came to us. He lacked the leadership to show him who was in charge. Enter Pat. Zeke is fear-reactive; like so many dogs today, he’s a handful when he sees another dog. Barking, lunging, pulling, and just an overall nut. I’ve worked tirelessly to help him overcome his reactivity. Some days are better than others, and trying to unlock the triggers of his behavior has left me frustrated.
I have difficulty asking for help and want to do everything independently. I had to admit I was out of my area of expertise. I have many friends who are dog trainers, but none locally. They tried to help from a distance, but I still needed more help. Friends who have seen me working with Zeke have complimented me on my progress with his functional obedience, but unlocking his reactivity to being neutral to dogs had me at my wit’s end.
I believe there are no coincidences in life, and I saw an FB ad for a local dog trainer—local as in my neighborhood! I did my homework and connected with this trainer. Our training methods aligned, and I was ready for Zeke to get help overcoming his reactive and fearful behavior. She asked me to write down my priorities for him and said she’d get to work. Zeke will be with Hannah for four weeks.
Zeke was a big part of my day, but not having him around this last week made me realize how much time we spent together. Between an hour-long walk in the morning, training and obedience drills, structured play, more walks, and just hanging out, he’s a massive part of my day and life. My husband and even my mother miss Zeke. I say “even my mother” because Zeke is afraid of her. He will take treats from her hand but not allow her to pet him. He will not allow Mom to get near my room without a struggle.
In a world where stress and loneliness seem ever-present, one solution might be closer than you think – your furry, four-legged friend. Dogs have long been cherished companions, providing emotional support and tangible health benefits that can contribute to a longer, healthier, and happier life. Whether you rescue or buy a dog for a specific need or desire, dogs give us so much!
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