Chase

I am so proud of this boy and his family!

His parents reached out for help in late July, not long after they found out they are expecting. 

Chase had recently begun disobeying his Mom and refusing to go into his crate.  He was acting out in ways he never had before despite having been adopted nearly four years prior at less than a year old.  With a new baby on the way, this new behavior from a big, strong boy like Chase needed to be nipped in the bud.

Our first “meeting” was via Facetime as they lived just a bit outside my normal working zone.  I was hooked, however, as I love a success story and I could see all the makings of a great one.  They checked out the website, visited the pack page and talked about it behind my back, (which I encourage all prospective clients to do!)  The decision was made and Chase was enrolled in the Good Dog program.  He had his first lesson on August 1.

We began slowly at his home where he was comfortable.  We teach “heel” to begin as it is the foundation of the relationship between the dog and the leader.  Heel is so much more than just walking nicely on a leash; it establishes the hierarchy and the chain of command.  It helps the dog learn that on-leash time is work time.  Playtime is a privilege that is earned later.  Heel gives the dog the freedom to relax, let down his “on guard” status and follow his leader. 

The e-collar was introduced immediately but was only used for very specific behaviors that first week.  Proper conditioning to the training tools is paramount as it does nobody any good to simply shock or choke a dog into submission.  There is no learning there.  There is no respect.  Chase’s family was phenomenal.  They listened carefully, they followed the guidelines, they did the homework and by the time we arrived the next week for the second lesson we could already see improvements in him as he showed us a snippet of the superstar he was about to be.

I won’t lie, I was nervous to do the temperament test with Chase.  I remember giving Zach instructions on what to do if he snapped.  I told him I would break up the fight and take the hit if need be.  His only responsibility would be to pick up Gigi, RUN to the car and get her to the emergency vet.  I handed him my car keys with strict instructions to leave me behind and break any traffic law he needed to break to save my girl.  We both walked into that park with butterflies in our stomachs.

No need to worry!  Again, his family had put in the time and effort, they followed the structure and did their homework.  Not only was Chase obeying the commands like a champ but his confidence and faith in his leaders was exploding.  Because he trusted that they would not lead him into harm’s way, he did not feel the need to react inappropriately.  We had a delightful walk together in a public park without incident.

Over the ten weeks of personalized lessons, we continued to introduce commands to Chase in small pieces while his family practiced them during the week.  The e-collar was used increasingly more as his understanding of it expanded.  We also took him to more and more public venues to proof his new skills around new smells, people, places, dogs- you name it. 

His first playdate with another pack member was a smashing success.  Full disclosure, Willow was carefully chosen to be his playmate because she is both submissive and playful.  She is exactly what Chase needed to really begin to learn how to play appropriately and enjoy the freedom he was earning through obedience. 

By September 1, one-month after we began working together, Chase was able to fully participate in group class including free play with several other dogs.  His lessons continued weekly until mid-October and he attended as many of the twice-weekly offered group classes that his family could work into their schedules.  In class, he has become the same affectionate and well-behaved dog he was at home for four years.  His attitude with his Mom has improved, he is no longer defiant just because he can be and he goes everywhere. 

As Chase progressed, his family was inspired to push him even more.  At one point, having been given a heads-up that we would be working on “down” at the next lesson, his parents worked ahead before the lesson.  When we arrived, he already knew it!  His lesson then became a fun session of a proud Chase and Mom showing off what they had learned together.

He even dressed up in costume and walked in a Halloween parade in early October.  He was in the middle of our pack of dogs, so much noise and screaming kids all around, but there he went along the two-mile route like a champ; happy and proud to follow his leaders and be a great ambassador for both his breed and for balanced training. 

A few days later he completed a 5K with the pack again, even more people and lots of ill-behaved dogs but there he was, raising money for charity with all of us.

Last night, Chase graduated.  He would have graduated last Wednesday but the deluge of rain here in Central Pennsylvania cancelled our class and graduation testing.  He is truly a testament to the power of dedicated humans and no-nonsense training.  His family asked for help, they embraced a change in habits, they did the work and they follow through by attending group classes and pack events.  The result is a boy, now five-years-old, with a brilliant future ahead of him!  We, his pack family, are eagerly anticipating the birth of the tiny human who sparked his education. 

Graduation is not the end, Chase; it’s only the beginning.

October is Pit Bull Awareness month.  Please know, deep in your heart, that they are destined to do great things if only their people will help them set out on the right path.