Ken’s Comments: In Angie and Karma’s success story, I told you that I am proud to be associated with a number of rescue organizations across the province. The St. John’s SPCA is the newest partnership formed. It is a partnership I am looking forward to participating more in the future as the possibilities are endless. There are a fanastic and dedicated staff and group of volunteers there now that are doing some amazing things. I met Reggie during one of my visits to assess a dog at the shelter. He is a Sharpei Pitty mix who was dog reactive. I interacted with him a couple of times on future visits and was very pleased when the staff of the SPCA informed me he had been adopted. I was even more pleased when his new owners contacted me that same day to set up a one on one. They knew the potential problems they were facing and wanted to set Reggie up for success.
When I met Reggie in his new home, he was so relaxed and friendly. It is like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Robin was adament about wanting to help Reggie through his issues so we set up a behavior modification plan focusing on building a positive trusting relationship with Reggie that would allow for opportunities to countercondition him around other dogs and desensitize him.
Robin followed through. Reggie has been on the walks, is enrolled in obedience training in the new year and is slowly but surely turning things around. I am happy for him and to see his progress in such a short time.
Here is his story...
Hey Ken! Reggie's pretty new to me but I figured I could still brag on him! I'm sure there will be more successes in future too! Here's my boasting sorry for the lengthiness!
Reggie is one of those rescue dogs that really lives up to the saying "Who rescued who?" In a bit of challenging times in my own life, Reggie has been the best addition ever! What do they say - "I don't need therapy, I've got a dog!" I've wanted a dog for quite some time, as I always had them growing up, but it took a bit of extra convincing, and an initial pet experience with a cat (love you too, Paddington!) before I convinced my husband! Truth be told, I may have played on the hubby's emotions, as I suggested we go to the SPCA after picking him up from the airport when he arrived home from being gone for over a month with work! But it was the best thing I could have done! We headed to the SPCA and had our first view of Reggie. I fell in love pretty much immediately! His reactivity towards other dogs was quite evident, but so was what I'll call his mushy heart which just wanted to be loved and given a hand (or face or pretty much anything!) to lick. We continued checking out other dogs at shelters over the weekend, but all I kept thinking about was Reggie! After three visits back to see him we filled out an application. I was so nervous we weren't going to get him! But I was also so convinced he was perfect that we went and bought him food bowls, a bed, AND had his name tag engraved before the SPCA told us we were approved! Haha!
We met with Ken right away; Reggie's size and strength, as well as his mix of Pitbull and Shar Pei (both can be stubborn I'm told ), and the fact we had little info about his history, made us want to start training out on the right track to give Reggie the happiest possible home. We have implemented Ken's suggestions and continue to do so, and it has made for a much easier transition to dog ownership! It's been less than two months since Reggie's Gotcha Day, so in terms of successes they are small and ongoing. However, Reggie's reactivity towards other dogs has been improving with regular socializing - this group is awesome and it feels so great to be amongst other dog lovers when your dog is acting out! - there have been times Reggie doesn't react at all! And he had a pupmate for two nights without incident and in fact enjoyed it! He has also overcome a rough first meeting with a friends dog, and it became a great doggy date with more to come in future! Reggie responds exceptionally well to training, and is eager to listen, even with some distractions - we start group training in January which will hopefully solidify and better this! Dog successes are as much the dog's doing as the owner's; but I feel like I have been blessed with such a wonderful boy who makes it pretty easy, and well worth it. Reggie's a complete part of our heart and home!! Yes. I'm a sap.