Ken’s Comments:
I am always honored when I have a client that I have previously worked with return wth their new dog. I shows they trust and have faith in my training methods and abilities. It allows me the opportunity to once again be a part of an important journey with them.
I met Pam for the first time when she requested I get involved in completing a one on one with a friend of hers who was having trouble with her dog. Soon after, I met Pam’s Schnauzer JonBon. Pam was trying to help JonBon get over a couple of problems he had developed. Pam is the type of person that is very devoted to her dogs. When she sets her mind to something, she commits. She helped JonBon overcome his anxiousness and grow into the great dog he is.
A couple of years later, Pam brought home her second dog Rocky. I remember the first time I saw Rocky. I walked over to he and Pam and spoke to him. In response, Rocky jumped up into my arms and started kissing me. It was only after this happened, Pam informed me Rocky had issues with men. What can I say…Rocky instantly liked me and I liked him. She enrolled him in class, and kept him on the walks. He graduated Level One and Two. During the courses, I used Rocky to demo a lot. Every time he stepped up to the plate and pulled off what I asked with no issues. He is a regular in daycare and an all around goof ball and great dog.
Seeing he and JonBon together makes me smile. They have such a great life with a wonderful owner.
Pam has also blossomed in her abilities. When she began training with JonBon, she was a little hesitant and unsure of things. Now, she handles both JonBon and Rocky like a pro. Pam has worked with a number of rescue dogs I have dealt with and volunteers at the testing with St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog. Like so many members of my group, she is a great and knowledgable handler that I know I could call upon to step up to the plate and work with any dog.
Here is their story from Pam:
I consider myself very blessed to be gifted with the companionship of two very wonderful dogs, Jonbon and Rocky. Of course, like most other people, we’ve had our struggles, but the work we put in to correcting unwelcome behaviours has created a very loyal and unbreakable bond between my dogs and I.
Jonbon is my 6 year old miniature schnauzer. He has, since a pup, been a very well behaved and obedient dog. He has always been well mannered, loyal and friendly, except when it comes to children. Unfortunately, there were no small children in my family to expose Jonbon to at an early age, but years later when they arrived, they became a foreign concept to him and as any parent knows, children change the energy in any room. Aside from this, Jonbon rarely needed my guidance to be a wonderful companion, but as he grew older and I brought other animals into my home, he became jealous and some what of an anxious dog. When he developed these habits I sought advice from Ken. Ken suggested that we enrol in training and join the “For the love of dogs” walks. The combination of both did wonders for Jonbon. Him and I were able to work together to alleviate him of his anxiousness. It wasn’t an easy road, and at times, it still has its challenges, but with hard work and Ken’s ongoing advice, we continue to work on them and achieve success.
Rocky. Where to begin? Well Rocky is a special dog, he embodies the personality of a boxer - he's full of life, goofiness, energy and curiosity. I wasn’t in the market for a dog when Rocky came into the picture, let alone one I would later come to learn had a few issues. Rocky was a victim of family circumstance. He came from my brother and his girlfriend, a couple who’s circumstances changed dramatically and were no longer able to care for a dog. When he came to me, he was 6 months old and feisty. He was still as sweet and cute as a button, but he didn’t like certain behaviours - he did NOT like getting his nails cut, nor did he like to be “in trouble” when he did something wrong. He had unpredictable aggressive behaviours, usually towards men and some other dogs.
Because of his moving around - coming from his dog mom, to his breeder, to my brother, to my mom, to me, the poor guy didn’t really know who his master was. I used everything I learned from Ken as a starting point with Rocky. I tethered him to me and made him follow me wherever I went. Whenever we went outside I re-invited him into my home and I never let him be the boss. I cuddled him and showed him affection until I earned his trust and he knew that I was now his master. Once he settled into his new home we began the walks. I was concerned about how Rocky would do on the walks, but I stayed confident and in control, to make sure he knew I was the leader. My biggest concern was men. When Ken approached Rocky for the first time, I hesitated. I was conflicted between letting Ken do his thing and between my urge to protect him from Rocky biting the face of of him. When Ken approached us, Rocky jumped, but didn’t jump to attack, but rather to kiss him. That dog must have licked Ken about 10 times. It was like they were old pals. They hit it off instantly and Rocky has an admiration and respect for Ken, that to this day, has never faded. We began training within weeks of the walks and Rocky excelled! He went on to do both basic and advanced training. Now, Rocky no longer has an aggressive bone in his body. He still has a slight hesitation towards some men, but he eventually warms up. We continue to work on this by engaging in the walks and continuing with the training that Ken has taught us.
Now me. Not only did Ken help to train my dogs, but in reality, Ken trained me. I would have always considered myself a responsible and caring dog owner, but Ken shaped me into a very knowledgeable dog owner. He taught me the ropes, I watched him work with dogs, I read his blog, I basically absorbed every piece of information I could. I’ve come to know how to handle certain situations, involving my dogs or the dogs of others. I’ve engaged deeply in the “For the Love of Dogs Group”, became involved in the St. John Ambulance Therapy dog program and have worked with Ken when he is rehabilitating and training rescue dogs. I thank you, Ken, from the bottom of my heart. You’re an amazing person. You are more passionate about your job than anyone I know and that passion is what makes you so good at what you do. You connect with dogs, like you have a secret language with them. They respect you, and I know that you respect them
In a way, I’m glad my dogs have had some behavioural issues. It has connected me with Ken and involved me in a community that lends its never ending support. I do not see working with my dogs a chore, but rather something I look forward to. My dogs have more respect for me as a master and I have more respect for them as my companions. They are amazing, loyal dogs and I love them with every fibre of my being.
Thank-you Ken, for being such an instrumental part of our journey.