ObstinateK9

I contacted Dillon at Obstinate K9 because my rescue German Shepherd had snapped gotten in a dog's face at a park. Although he did not actually bite the other dog, the owner pressed charges. At court, the city prosecutor and judge required me to meet with a trainer, and return with a letter from the trainer. I had already board-trained my dog when he was first found at the shelter by a friend, as I was out of town for a few weeks. I noticed when I finally took him home that when he saw other dogs his fur came up, but his tail wagged. He went back to the trainer for another week. She saw no issues in him, but I continued to notice this. I engaged another trainer. We worked primarily with positive rewards, and with an e-collar, but only on "buzz", and rewards when he had to be near other dogs, to help him learn to tolerate his discomfort. I mostly kept him away from other dogs while I worked with him on walks with positive rewards. After over 6 months, he seemed ready to be out in public, so I went to a park. He did great going by other dogs and just whining a little, but no reaction. I was always watching for other dogs, scanning, and trying to keep him away from them. My trainer had taught me to keep him right at my side in a heel at all times. This dog came from behind, despite my watchfulness, and surprised my dog. The court recommended Dillon, as the city prosecutor had employed him to work with her GSP young dog, although they said I could return to a prior trainer. I new I needed a new assessment. When I spoke with him on the phone, I was impressed at his knowledge of normal dog behavior, and his focus on training the owner to be the trainer. I was also impressed that he wanted to evaluate the home environment, and came to me, nearly 2 hours away. I have completed the 6 sessions, and it has transformed my dog and me. His focus is to help shape CHOICE of the dog, NOT CONTROL the dog's behavior. I began using the e-collar paired with my voice. He diagnosed that I had not clearly communicated my expectations, so my dog was taking control. He talked about giving my dog back some freedom, as he began making choices aligned with the expectations of my home. We set up the choice - he could be rewarded by choosing well, or get a correction (not punishment.. very low setting on the collar - just something to get his attention). My dog began making wonderful choices - and getting lots of rewards. Stress went down. Dillon brought his own dogs to teach my dog, to open up more freedom, to get my dog unstuck from my side and to explore his environment more. Dillon re-trained me to see environmental challenges to our training as wonderful "opportunities" to test our skills in different contexts. We worked on staying in a down in distracting environments, on recall, and then recall with a whistle. He has successfully gone on trails, and even the park of "the incident" passing by other dogs well. We ended our sessions by going to a patio of a restaurant, with my dog staying in a down, with dogs at other tables - watching, but without reaction. I no longer isolate my dog from the world in fear. He has been able to go on walks (with a longline) with freedom, exploring his environment, recalling. He is so much happier. I am not stressed. He is enjoying his life and new-found freedom. He is a different dog. As Dillon says, we are responsible for our dog's enrichment. And I am now able to help my dog live an enriched life. Of course, outcome depends on application and consistent regular training. I am so thankful for Dillon's wisdom, experience, knowledge, and passion for dogs and their owners. I give him and Obstinate K9 my highest recommendation.