See "Sasha's Car Fear" Slide Show
Sasha is a 7 month old Alaskan Husky.. Sasha was supposed to be for my 11 year old son. We had a husky, Timber but he was put to sleep due to cancer in his hips.
For about 2 years now we have looked, not aggressively, but looked for a husky to replace Timber. When my step dad told me about a husky in the paper I went to see if she was something that would be ok for my son.
When picking out a dog I try to talk to the owners or a breeder to see who has a good disposition but with Sasha I knew almost instantly she was abused. The lady who we bought her from said she had bought her about a month prior to her putting the ad in the paper and that the owner who had her abused her but her mannerisms told me differently. Sasha was scared and very shy around her owners and very skittish around the children. They told me she was great with other animals and that she loved to ride in the car and go for walks.
Upon putting a leash on this dog I knew instantly she had never been outside on a leash or for that matter never been for a walk. A ride, forget that we had to physically put her in the car to bring her home. Sasha although living in a two story home had never climbed stairs. Arriving home we noticed Sasha was not a good playmate for my 2 year old mixed Lab (Puddles), nor was she friendly with my 2 year old cats. The only one she seemed to get along with was our very old Cocker spaniel(Barkley). Sasha would snap at Puddles if she would go near her food dish or try to eat my cats by going into this stalking trance like mode and running them down like prey.
We thought about getting rid of her because her behavior was less than impressive but my son was hurt by this decision so we kept her and prayed that her age had something to do with her behavior. When my daughter came home and told me about Crescent Canine Care. I hesitated because I didn’t think anyone could heal the hurt this puppy had gone through, but as her behavior got worse I picked up the phone and called Michael. When Michael arrived at my house I was very skeptical that this very mild manor man would be able to tame my very wild puppy.
Boy was I wrong! Michael worked on showing me techniques that I could show my children on how to improve her obedience and overcome her fears. Michael didn’t just come in and tell me what I was doing wrong, he showed me the correct way and made my children and I do it so we knew what we were doing wrong. Michael walked Sasha near cars, even got her in my car.
Another very important reason I bought a big dog is because I am a REALTOR and I hold open houses sometimes in places that have no cell coverage, I wanted a big dog who would intimidate and deter someone from doing me harm, but what good is a dog who is timid of getting in and out of a vehicle and shows noting but fear when placed in one. In my opinion that isn’t a deterrent it’s an invitation. Michael showed us how to place both our dogs in a submissive position to calm them. He showed us how to take back our house and be on our way to a gate free living area.
Our dog would just run if let lose, she didn’t know what stay meant or if she did we had no idea how to make her stay. Our home was an asylum with the dogs running it. When Michael left I felt a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had my house back and I was taking control over my animals!
When your little and you have pets you never know how hard it was to train an animal. My parents always did it for me like I’m sure many other parents do. I am happy to know that when my children grow up my kids will know what to do when an animals misbehaves.
I think Michael has given them a sense of accomplishment and understanding that a dog is only as good as it’s master.
In the two short days since Michael has been here, Sasha is no longer pulling on her leash, she is riding in cars and going for ice cream and bugging the gals at the bank for doggie treats. She is a new dog. She walks with her head high and with her tail proudly in the air. We walk by cars and other dogs. She is still a bit scared in the car, but the more we work with her the better she will get.
Michael says repetition is the KEY to making your dog mind. She has learned that my furniture is mine and that she has to be invited in order to sit on it. We no longer have to put Puddles in another room when we leave. They are learning to get along. I am so proud of the fact that she is learning to co-exist with my cats.
Tonight she sniffed at Miss Midge and sat down by my feet and let her walk right on by. There was no running after her, there was no yelling and my cats were not running away in fear for their lives. We are now working on proper table behavior. I can’t thank Michael enough for what he has done for my dogs.
I will continue to recommend him to anyone who has an unruly animal.
Kelly Bovee Licensed Realtor Prudential Manor Homes, REALTORS 518-744-8241
