I want to share my story between me, my dog and Dean. This strange trifecta that came together because of overwhelmed days and nights of a 7 pound furr-ball running (aka ‘ruining’) my life. This story isn’t formal – because this training journey is anything but formal.

Dean Saved My Life! Oh – wait – that sounds just too dramatic. okay… Dean Brought Balance to My Life and Brought Balance to My Dog! – that sounds much better! 

This was me – a typical day in a new puppy-parent life – before Dean’s training…

A nice sunny day prompts the excitement to take the 2-year old puppy out to play in the fenced in dog park downtown. Grab a chai latte. The people there will love this little dog – the cutest puppy ever. Got the leash, got the poop bags, got the latte – go to the park. After all it’s fenced in – what could go wrong? Go to the park. A few Shitzu’s zipping around. No problem. I can handle this. Opening the gates, Tux can’t wait to joyfully run over and greet the shitzu’s and have an hour of fun play. Get some energy out. He mingles. I proceed to do laps inside the fence. How cute – Tux is running free. And he comes and ‘finds’ me wherever I am. Runs in front of me, behind me, circles me. How cute! Some time has passed, and more dogs come to play. How fun. Until the big black Rottweiller arrives. Uh oh. And his buddy – a Husky. Tux spots the commotion at the gate. Uh oh. He’s gonna bark. No… here it comes… Tux come back!  ‘Arf!Arf!Arf!’ ‘Arf!’ ‘Arf!Arf’ Oh my. Other than the highest pitch of bark a dog could be born with – he’s trying to intimidate these big dogs. The owners laugh. Oh. How embarrassing! I say my sorry’s. And more dogs come into the park. Tux come here! Of course he won’t listen. And the owners get to humorously watch a small 110lb girl (me) running and screaming after her stupid 7-pound Pomeranian. Oh! I’m such a stereotype. Me, my Pom and my Latte. How humiliating!!

I decide to leave. I get home to my husband, who hates the dog and now has nicknamed him Kijiji – for the zillion times he has threatened to get rid of him. But me – I’m more determined than ever (and mad, frustrated, defeated). Hubby comes over to kiss me. No can-do! Tux has that covered. Growling and cowering in front of me. Separating me and my hubby – who can’t touch me without the dog spazzing out – ready to attack! Oh well. 

In addition, Tux enjoys the rest of his days growling and threatening our other dog; panting with anxiety while doing perimeter checks around the house and yard; herding our family members; and barking from under the bed… often at 3 in the morning!

There was a point I would categorize my good days and bad days based how much yelling, screaming, and harsh ‘discipline’ I would instruct. And NOTHING worked. 

Does this sound like You? Well, I can tell you first-hand – there is HOPE for Your Dog!

Through Dean’s training, he gave me the tools I needed to help my dog. These days, I can stroll through a busy Saturday morning Farmer’s Market and people stop me many, many, many times and say things like… “Wow! Your dog is so well-behaved!” … “I know Pomerians that bark ALL the time. Your dog is so good!” … “What kind of dog is he – he is so obedient”. 

Today – Tux is a different dog. And because of that, his balancec mental and emotional state will lead him to have a successful and long life. He can just go back to being a dog. 

This is the start of a great, satisfying relationship with Tux. And though every day isn’t perfect – I now live in a peaceful home. Don’t you deserve that for you and your dog?