Case Studies
Gabrielle Munkelnbeck
When I met Gabrielle, a 10-month old female Doberman, she had had no formal training and was an extremely high-energy puppy. She was the Munkelnbeck's fourth Doberman, but was proving to be far more problematic than their previous dogs had been. She would nip at her owners for attention, either when she was excited or if her ball had rolled under a piece of furniture. She barked at every truck or pedestrian that walked past her house, would terrorize the cockatiel by suddenly running up and barking at her, and needed to learn to have a softer mouth. All this despite 2 hours of exercise a day! The Munkelnbeck's goals were simple: to have a dog that wouldn't nip or jump on them, a dog that could settle down and be calm in the house, a dog that could perform simple obedience commands and a dog that was calm with guests, in the car, or when a pedestrian or truck passed their property. We did 8 lessons at the Munkelnbeck's home. The following is a testimonial from the Munkelnbecks and a photo of dear, sweet Gabrielle...
Email from Erich and Susan Munkelnbeck:
August 17, 2007
She's our beautiful 17-month-old Doberman named Gabrielle. We have, over these months, called her by various names such as Psycho Dog, Noodle Head, Goofy. But, Vanya, thanks to you, we can now call her Baby Doll, Pretty Girl, Precious, and sometimes even Gabrielle or Gabby.
She has been the most challenging puppy we have ever had, only because we just didn't know how to handle her. She was the dominant one of her litter and she carried that over to us. And the pushover that I am, she was getting away with it. She was making me crazy. I was in tears daily. I was ready to call it quits with her.
Vanya, you saved us. You taught us how to handle her in a most gentle way. She now knows that she is not the boss and she is happier and calmer, much calmer, because of it. Oh, she tests us still by trying to be pushy. I guess it's in her genes. But thanks to you, Vanya, we know what to do about it. She seems to respect us now.
Our relationship with this lovely lady is now a good one. She is becoming our companion and our cuddly friend. Just what we hoped for on the day we brought her into our home.
Many, many thanks to you, Vanya!
Erich and Susan Munkelnbeck and Gabrielle
Manon
History:
Manon is a Weimeriner who had a previous owner. Glenda, her owner, had adopted her 3 years prior to our first meeting. She was approximately 5 years old when we began working together. She was being exercised daily (3-5 mile a day walks) and was being fed an excellent dog food. Manon had gone through some obedience classes prior to our first meeting, but had some problem behaviors. These problem behaviors included: pulling on the leash, insecurity-based barking at company including escape-avoidance behavior (e.g. backing away from guests), timid/cautious around new things in her environment, she would panic around sudden loud noises on her walks (e.g. trains going by, loud trucks going by) and was pushy with her owners for attention/play. We did 5 in-home lessons to address these issues. She is now relaxed with company, does very well on her walks, and is generally a very happy and well-behaved dog.
Letter from the owner:
May 19, 2007
My lessons are now completed and I stand with leash in hand, poised for action - but no more.
Vanya has spent weeks training me and with her guidance and her expertise I have slowly transformed a very hyper dog into a comparatively mild and controlled lady.
You asked does Vanya'a training work - YES ! Is the time well spent - YES!
All my thanks to you !!
Glenda and Manon
Jingles
History:
When I met Jingles and Kristie, Kristie had just adopted Jingles from German shepherd rescue in Phoenix. She was two years old at the time and had been in foster care for about 6 months. She had been found on the streets and her behavior indicated that she had been living as a stray. She is an incredibly ball-driven dog and had a very beginning down and sit. She was a very independent dog that required a great deal of consistency on Kristie's part throughout her training. Her most concerning problem was her dog-to-dog aggression on leash. She would not take food on leash within sight of another dog. She would lunge and bark and would not do any obedience. She could not go to a vet's office without exploding at other dogs. Additionally, Jingles would not let anyone clip her nails without a great deal of struggle and trauma. Kristie has worked very hard with Jingles and Jingles is now obedient at home and around other dogs and can go to the vet's office (or just about anywhere else) without aggression towards other dogs. She loves to play ball, and will do obedience for her ball. She will stay much more relaxed for having her nails clipped.
Chico
History:
Chico is a toy Chihuahua who was 7 weeks old when his family took him home from the breeder's home. He was very sick for the first 3 weeks in his new home; he arrested twice, and had trouble with his digestion. We did not begin training until he was 13 weeks old because of his illness. He had been (admittedly) babied by his owners because of his rough start, which had resulted in housebreaking issues, aggression at the vet's office at being handled, escape/avoidance behavior at being picked up, he had never been on a leash, was aggressive with the youngest girl in the family and wouldn't come when called. He also didn't know sit, down, stay, etc. Today Chico is 7 and a half months old. He will let you pick him up, is good at the vet, will come, sit, down, is doing much better at stay and is no longer aggressive with the family's youngest daughter. We did 8 lessons, mostly at home and a lesson at the vet's office.