|
 
 Growing
up I always loved being around dogs. I was lucky enough that
throughout my childhood and into adulthood I got to spend lots of
time caring for, having fun with and getting to know
various dogs. Then, after a year of marriage and after much
consideration and many visits to our local shelter, my wife and I
thought we were ready to bring home our first dog together, Jake.
Two days later we considered taking him straight back. We needed help
desperately, but our first experiences working with a trainer gave us
nothing more than an unruly dog who looked like a canine
Hannibal Lector; wearing a choke chain, halti, flat collar and
electronic collar all at once, who would only listen to us for a
piece of hot dog or cheese... maybe!
Months
later, we still had no real tools to fix any of Jake's issues. All
that changed the day we discovered “At the End of My Leash”. Before long we found
ourselves at Brad’s seminar in Toronto, and
Jake was chosen to be a
dog volunteer. That day Brad showed me for the first time the true
potential that Jake had. He taught me to raise my expectations, step
up and take
responsibility as a dog owner, and
focus on building my bond with Jake. I learned that there was
another way, a much better way
and that Jake could actually be a great dog! Today Jake is just
that. A calm, confident & respectful dog whom we have developed an
amazing relationship with. You wouldn't recognize from those first
few tumultuous days and months in our home.
I couldn’t help
but wonder how many other dogs were in shelters for the same reasons
that Jake had
been. How many dogs were being given up on
everyday without getting a chance at a
better future? From then on I wanted to learn all that I could, and
I now know that there is help and hope out there.
I am excited to be able to pay forward all that
I have learned and help those that are feeling lost and looking for
real results just as we once were. You truly will get out of your
relationship with you dog whatever you are willing to put into it, so with lots of
hard work and commitment, you can have an amazing relationship with
your dog too.
It is completely up to you!! ARE YOU READY?! |
