Connie
The lovely Connie came to us a couple of years ago needing help with fear-based reactivity and coping with the world generally. Connie did very well in rehab and was much improved when she left. Since the end of her rehab, her mum has continued to work hard with her, and Connie has improved significantly. We still speak weekly to continue her rehab journey together and Connie has been back in to board with us.
Below are a few rehab diary extracts from her time with us:
16/10/23
“Connie arrived on Saturday and she has settled in very well.”
26/10/23
“Connie is high level dog reactive, bouncy and can be all over the place when triggered. So, this week we are doing focus work with treats and commands, and she is already coming forward with no reactivity. Dogs and staff were moving about within 15 feet of us, and she was able to come back to focus with me. We spent some time watching the cows across the field and generally having a little activity around us, but we worked together and focused in on our work together which is good steps forward for her.”
10/11/23
“Connie and I have been concentrating on lead and focus work as she is manic when out and about and everything is done at high speed with big reactions. So, we have worked on lead skills and being near dogs and triggers but with us working as a pair and her checking in with me as we mooch about slowly and calmly. We are basically taking our time and giving her the time to address stimulation/triggers calmly and with less high energy.”
18/11/2023
“Connie can struggle with some things when over threshold or over stimulated and this can come out with dogs via negative reactivity. We have moved from handler focus work, putting it into play in dog situations and it’s helping her stay under threshold, be calmer and less manic and to cope with the interaction positively. She is working here with Nioh who also came into us three months ago for high level dog reactivity and now he’s been helping other dogs with their reactivity as a stooge dog.”
25/11/23
“Connie has carried on with her dog reactivity work. We upped the task for her with a little dog, Loki because Connie struggles with small dogs and is drawn to the chase of a little fluffy thing. She did very well and took the time to observe once settled. Loki was quite happy to help and would move away when needed to create some space for them both.”
12/12/23
“Connie’s coming along well with muzzle training. It’s not her favourite outfit from her wardrobe but she’s feeling more relaxed about the whole muzzle thing and walking wearing one. Well done, Connie.”
17/12/23
“Connie is doing very well on her dog reactivity even with small dogs. This little boarding dog was of no interest to her at all, they had some snacks together and hung out and Connie was so polite. We carried on with muzzle work too and Connie has learned that focus skills and treats are much more interesting than being reactive.”
Connie finished her rehab and went home on 20/12/23. We continued to check in weekly with her family and she has been back in a number of times for boarding with little top-ups on the things she learned whilst with us included of course.
A lovely review written by Connie’s family this year and some catchup photos:
“We found Joy and the Team when we went through difficult times. House move, noisy building works and a frail and confused other dog in the household, left us all very much on edge and our GSD, Connie, became dog reactive, leading to neighbourhood bullying. When we had to make the painful decision to let our other dog pass over the rainbow, we sent Connie over to CRBC for a two-month residential. It helped us all to de-stress, re-set and cope with our loss. Since Connie has been back, we have had weekly catchups with Joy. Talking over the week’s events and setting small tasks has helped me regain my confidence and accepting my dog’s needs. No matter how stressful and exhausting it is to walk her, we are rewarded with the most wonderful dog in our home. This wouldn’t have been possible without the ongoing support of Joy and CRBC. I know, she’s always at the other end of the line and there’s always a space for Connie to train/board.”
