The story of Kalee

This is the heartwarming and hopeful story of Kalee, the gorgeous cocker spaniel, who was due to be euthanised due to her aggression 3 years ago. 

She came in to my world after a moment of divine intervention.  As I was scrolling Facebook - as you do!  I came across a picture of a dog that looked so much like Fudge. Fudge is our dog that passed over the rainbow bridge just before Christmas last year. For now I am not ready for another dog to come into our lives permanently, If I am really honest I  just want Fudge back.

So there I was scrolling, scrolling.... I came to a screeching halt as I saw the picture of Kalee. I read her story and felt instantly drawn to her. Her owners were looking for someone who would understand Kalee's need for space and time and who was able to take care of her when they were out of town. Me Me Me!!! I immediately PM'd them to show my interest and shared my background in dog behaviour, our current family situation and home environment. I was delighted when they wanted to bring Kalee to meet me,  get to know me and our home environment. 

With Kalee's history of aggression it was important to get to know her, her triggers and to keep everyone safe. 

Her owners were super clear and honest about her  triggers.  For Kalee she can guard her safe space which is her bed. If she falls sleep on top of you and you wake her to move, this can trigger her and she finds the process of getting in and out of the car quite stressful and can trigger her. She is quite calm when actually driving. Otherwise she is a very easy going wee dog. 

Kalee is calm and responsive on a walk and I have found with a little Stop, Start and Change Direction (SSCD) she is great to walk on a lead no pulling or stopping all the time to sniff. 

As I write this Kalee has had 3 sleepovers with us and we have seen no evidence of any aggression. However, we have been very careful to follow her owners guidelines and of course I can't help but practice Dog Listening with her. 

We have a busy household with my husband and I and 2 teenage girls so there is lots of coming and going. Kalee has taken this in her stride and I have been careful to advocate for her and her space. No one is allowed to approach Kalee on her bed or indeed anywhere.  If we want to stroke her and/or play her we all must call her to us. It's a super simple rule that I am forever sharing with my clients because not only does it keep everyone safe, it improves recall and builds a beautiful and respectful bond between dog and human. 

We have had some lovely walks along the beach and around our local parks, she is very comfortable when out and about and there are no triggers in this environment. 

Dog Listening has given me confidence to bring a dog like Kalee into our home.  Confidence and having a plan really helps when living with a dog who has bitten before. 

I would love you to know that if you have a dog or you know a dog that has bitten before there is hope. 

Dogs live in the present moment and yes there will be triggers based on past situations, however over time, and with space and understanding from their human the vast majority of dogs can go on to live a beautiful calm and quiet life even after biting. 

I am forever grateful to Kalee's owners for trusting me and allowing Kalee into my life and I hope to see her again very soon for another "sleepover"!

If you want my support to help you with your dog's undesirable behaviour book a call with me now and you can find out  if joining me in Peaceful Paws will be a good fit for you. 

Peaceful paws always, 

Julie x 

P.S As I publish this short story, Kalee has now had 5 or so "sleepovers" with my family, the only time she has shown any sign of concern and growling was when I put her into the car to see how she would enjoy the school run. Although she hopped into the crate in the car happily and of her own accord, once she was in she felt worried and started to growl and bark. As she was safely in her crate we were able to just allow her time to process, we didn't say a word or look at her and she settled down quietly after about 3 minutes.  We did not hear another peep from her even has the girls got out the car when we arrived at school. When I got back home she was resting peacefully and I was able to slowly and calmly open the crate and allow her to come to me and she jumped out with no fear. 

The important things to note here to keep everyone safe are the following details; 

1. I had a plan to give her time to settle and I knew that should she not cope with the situation her Dad was picking her up about an hour after we arrived home. This meant there was no pressure for me or her to achieve anything. 

2. I did not have to let her out at school where it is noisy and busy

3. I left our home and arrived back at home so for this first trip in our car, nothing happened. It was intentionally boring. All she had to process was my kids and I in the car and she already knew us and the motion of stopping and starting. Literally nothing else. Her crate was covered with a blanket so although she could acclimatise through smell and sound she didn't have the added stress of visual sensory overload. 

4. Had she not coped with that I would work with her more at home to build up her trust in me before trying again. For now I will do a few more "boring" trips and build up her confidence in me, always going at her pace and always remembering never ever to get into her space especially when she is showing signs of fear.