What was going on
Moses is a two-year-old English Staffordshire Terrier who found it difficult to focus. He was easily excited and would jump and bark to get attention. On walks, he was especially reactive when they had to stop and wait at traffic lights, barking at everything around him.
For Dana-Marie, it meant every outing required managing Moses’s energy levels and reactions. Simple things like stopping at a crossing or sitting at a cafe weren’t possible.
What Dana-Marie had tried
Dana-Marie had been advised that Pro Dog training (games-based, positive reinforcement training) was really beneficial for dogs and their owners. She went looking for someone who offered this approach, and after an initial one-on-one session with Marianne, she immediately saw how a few simple games could make a real difference.
What we did
We worked with Dana-Marie through one-on-one behaviour modification sessions and Saturday morning group training classes. The focus was on building Moses’s ability to concentrate on Dana-Marie rather than reacting to his environment.
One of the key breakthroughs was a simple counting technique (1…2…3) that helps Moses refocus when he starts barking in the car or on walks. The group classes gave Moses a fun, structured environment to practise his new skills around other dogs and distractions.
What changed
Moses is now much more relaxed and chilled. He goes to the cafe with Dana-Marie and sits quietly on his mat. He sits calmly at traffic lights. He’s having fun while learning, and so is Dana-Marie.
As she put it: “It is probably that both of us are more relaxed!”
And the best thing about Moses? “Everything! He has the most lovely nature, he loves a cuddle and he wants to be a good boy!”