Max the Staffie Cross

Our dog Max is a 3 year old Staffie Cross, who came to us from a rescue centre. He was a lovely and loving dog, but so energetic and boisterous that he was exhausting.

We spent our first year going to puppy training classes twice a week, which helped with learning tricks and basic commands, but didn't help us curb his energy at all. Whilst very obedient in some ways (e.g. knew the commands, didn't go on the furniture or upstairs, sat and waited before being allowed to eat his food, walked to heel on a lead when he wanted to), he could be a nightmare when anything remotely 'interesting' was going on. He would jump up at visitors and whine for attention in the house, pull and bounce up at strangers when on the lead, and if released off the lead for a run would leap on other dogs and decide to not come back for ages.

We love spending time outdoors hiking, cycling and camping, and it was so disappointing as we gradually realised that time outdoors meant being dragged around by a dog we couldn't let off the lead. It got to the point where although we loved him, we didn't enjoy being with him.

We came to Sally in desperation, almost not believing that anything could change. We were 'good owners': firm with clear rules, walking him twice a day and feeding him properly. How much difference could it make?

Answer: Everything! We simply can not believe the difference. The sessions are challenging, and the homework between the sessions takes patience and practice, but the results are amazing. We have learnt so much, and walking and working with Max has become a pleasure.

We still have a long way to go, but we are confident that with Sally we can do it. Today, after only three sessions with Sally we stood in the middle of an open park, and watched several big dogs galloping about whilst Max lay quietly at our feet, without a lead. We walked about pushing our baby in a pram with Max trotting at our heels, without a lead. We never thought we would see this! Tam said 'This is why we got a dog'; Ruth replied 'This is why we got Sally'!

Ruth & Tam Bardell

UPDATE: After spring cleaning the house, we decided that it would be a good idea to polish up our skills with the dog too, and asked Sally to come for another session with us. Max has been so much better over the last few months since working with Sally, and we've been really enjoying him. It was lovely that this time, rather than being desperate and at the end of our wits, we could sit and talk positively to Sally about where we want to progress to. It was brilliant to revisit all the skills that we use on a day-to-day basis, and those we had accidently relaxed and forgotten. We got out in the field with Max working off the lead with other dogs and people, and it was fantastic to build our and his confidence. It's great to be able to take it to the next level of control and freedom.