August 12, 2008

It's hard to imagine now, and people look at me with disbelief when I tell them our story, but only a year ago my little 13 pound mini dachshund, Charlie, was head of household. We're not sure exactly how it happened, it was gradual, but he must have sensed that tho' we loved him dearly, we didn't know how to take the lead with him, and so Charlie appointed himself leader of the pack.

We led very busy lives at the time we adopted Charlie as a puppy and because of our schedules, people visiting our home were a rarity. We didn't have time to take Charlie out into the world much either, and before we knew it, we had an aggressive, completely unsocialized dog on our hands. Charlie's behaviour grew worse and worse. I began avoiding walks and outings with him as he would not only drag me, pulling at the leash until I was afraid I was choking him, but he would lunge, bark, and behave aggressively towards anything that moved within his sightline: human, canine, feline, fowl - you name it. He wanted to take it on!

When Charlie was about a year old, I stopped working outside of the home. But by then having guests to the house was not an option unless absolutely unavoidable as Charlie would lunge and snap at them. Only loyal family members braved his wrath, but I know it was not enjoyable to have visitors for any of us. It was completely embarrassing and very stressful, and I had no idea how to turn things around. We felt like we were imprisoned.

At all times with our family Charlie was sweet and loving, and giving Charlie up or having him put down was never a consideration. We love Charlie for life, for better or for worse, but, sadly, we viewed the next ten to fifteen years as ‘this is how it would be'. I hated how our lives were controlled by this and wished there was another way. I had to admit it – I had no idea how to deal with this and make life better functioning and peaceful for Charlie and our household.

One day I read an article in the paper about Dogzies and owner Wayne Dorman. I was intrigued but still afraid to call… would Wayne be too hard on Charlie? Would Charlie be too hard on Wayne ? I know, what a softie, but I imagined all the worst-case scenarios. Still nervous about it, I held off a little longer. Then I noticed some information at my vet clinic and asked about Wayne there and heard good things about his abilities. Finally, I saw a clip about Wayne and his canine school on TV and was convinced this was something I needed to do. I made the call and set things in motion. By this time, Charlie was now very set in his unruly ways and was 2 ½ years old, but making that call was the best decision for Charlie and our entire household I could have made.

Wayne and an assistant came to the house for an initial consultation and to meet Charlie. It was stressful to say the least. Charlie performed as expected, lunging and barking up a storm to show Wayne his worst behaviour, but by the end of the visit, both Charlie and I were certain things were about to change. During that first visit Wayne not only got Charlie to stop lunging at him, but held him and then led Charlie around the block, not vice versa. On our walk with Charlie, Wayne even approached a lady with a baby carriage - yikes! Then to top off the first visit, in case I wasn't already convinced Wayne was our saviour, we stopped in at our vet's office – a place where Charlie loved to terrorize pets and their owners on our previous visits. This time, Charlie was on his best behaviour knowing Wayne was in charge. I watched in complete awe. Later that day I stopped in at Dogzies to register Charlie for school. I'm not ashamed to say I had tears in my eyes that day. I was so relieved there was an answer, and we had found a way to learn how to be better parents to Charlie, and for Charlie to be a well-behaved canine son. I had seen change that day with my own eyes. Life could and would be peaceful. We could and would have a functioning household that could have walks and outings with our dog, guests over… yes; I was convinced and so incredibly relieved!

Improvement was noticeable and immediate - and it just got better and better as we learned the ropes. Charlie first attended school twice a week with Wayne , and I attended an evening basic obedience class in a group setting with Charlie for several months. Even that would have been completely out of the question in the past. Eventually the school visits reduced to once weekly, and now, one year later, Charlie attends Dogzies once every few weeks.

We now enjoy walks in the neighbourhood and guests coming to our home. Even Charlie enjoys them. My brother and his family recently visited, an annual occasion, and he asked tongue in cheek, “What have you done with Charlie?” He said Charlie was a different dog. While people were once afraid to touch or engage with Charlie in any way so as to avoid a good bite, during this visit Charlie was able and eager to accept affection and be held and played with. Charlie got to enjoy our company as much as I did. And to top it all off, my brother was visiting with his whole family, including his four-month old grandson! Only a short time ago having a baby around Charlie would not have been possible, not even remotely imaginable!

So if any of this sounds familiar to you, if you're living your life with your dog in a way you never would have expected or wanted, and you don't know how to make it better – don't despair. Trust me when I say it is not hopeless. Changing your life and your dog's really is only a phone call away.

Thanks so much, Wayne !

Nancy Goodwin & Charlie, the reformed dachshund