Dog of the Month:

Mouse

sharing her challenges with Joyce Lancaster

Mouse came to us from a rescue centre complete with her own set of problems. Her lead walking was erratic to say the least. She was very frightened of most men and most of the other dogs we met. Her answer to her fears was to bark loudly and often quite aggressively whilst leaping about on the end of her lead. She did not cope with being in enclosed places with other dogs or people, hated lots of noise and was always on the defensive.  She very rapidly decided where she felt safe and this was at home, in the car or off lead where there was plenty of space and quiet preferably with no strange dogs or people! Not much to ask.

We tried and failed with two or three local training centres. She couldn’t cope with the confined space, the noise or the proximity of the other dogs. She would become really distressed and panic stricken her sole aim being to get out and as far away as possible.  Even walking round outside the buildings distressed her.  Her anxiety levels and my inability to help her were very distressing. Her relief at getting into the car and then being at home very quickly convinced me that there had to be a better way.

I had been to Wagmore a few times with my other Spaniel and was very impressed with level of  kindness and understanding shown to both the dogs and their owners. This is combined with a calm approach, lack of pressure and the understanding of each dogs individual needs and appreciation that what for some dogs seems a very small step forward is actually a giant step.  This especially applies when previous lessons had resulted in steps backwards!  In complete contrast to the pressure dogs are under in a crowded hall with only an hour to get results, Wagmore has a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with time on your side. The dogs have space and are usually quietly engrossed in their work. This in itself helps to settle the more nervous dogs.

I booked her in for Lifeskills with a very supportive and understanding Amy. Initially Mouse really struggled with her usual demons but the joy of Wagmore is that if all she achieved was sitting quietly and watching that was fine.  No-one ever asked too much of her and if her stress levels start to rise she could always go outside for a walk or a rest in the car. Her real breakthrough came when Kay introduced us to WagMore’s particular form of circuit training.  Slow rhythmic walking patterns which always began with Mouse barking at every opportunity and behaving like a whirling dervish on the end of the lead.  I still hear Kay’s voice in my head saying ‘keep walking,’ ‘ slow down,’  ‘keep the rhythm,’ ‘just ignore her’ and magically she would begin to settle and eventually would walk on a loose lead quietly by my side, ignoring the distractions. Gradually she became able to settle more quickly and now we only need to use this exercise occasionally but it is a great one to have in your toolbox both during training and at home.  I stopped worrying about what the neighbours think a long time ago.

We have now progressed to Helen’s K9 class and although we spent much of the winter working in the kitchen area at least she was able to relax enough to work and learn. Helen’s kindness and understanding have really helped both of us.  Lately we have been outside most of the time and she has come on enormously.  She can now work in much closer proximity to the other dogs without worrying. As well as the support given by the staff the other class members are always a great source of support and encouragement. We have recently progressed to basic agility with Kay and although she still cannot be trusted too near the other dogs she is achieving things I would never have thought possible a few months ago.  She works off her lead and is really enjoying herself paying attention, learning and loving it.

Mouse will have been with us for a year in September and I know that without the support and help we have had from all the Wagmore staff we would not have made anything like the progress we have made over the past few months.  We still have a long way to go but I now believe that, with continuing help we will eventually turn what was a very stressed and anxious dog into a relaxed and happy one.  Through all the problems she has been gradually learning new skills and changed from a dog who was too stressed to learn into one who loves learning new behaviours and is a pleasure to work with.

Thank you Wagmore

Joyce & Mouse