Shiloh the Tamaskan

Update: I have a beautiful 3 year old Tamaskan (new breed of dog, looks very like a wolf but not a wolf hybrid). He is bright, athletic but very strong willed and as dominant as he is able to be. I have done training with him and he is good - but only when it suites him. I walk very often in the countryside full of wildlife and livestock, and want and need my dog to be obedient ALL the time, not on his terms.

Sally had given me a few suggestions over the phone which helped but we needed more hands on guidance. Out walking rather than hauling on the lead all the time, Sally gave me ways to help bring him back to my side and for him to pay attention to me as the pack leader and not him as pack leader! We varied our walking speed, changed direction and the moment he started to get ahead of me I turned left almost into him so he had to move back quickly and be alert to me and what I was doing. Sally assesses the dog and uses training techniques that will work best for each individual dog.

We worked on me being more aware of my body language, taking my time, not rushing was so important, we worked as though we had all the time in the world - PATIENCE! -. Also being aware of his body language and correcting him just before he made his move - perhaps to charge of to see another dog - not after, which of course is too late! No harsh treatment, no shouting, just calm assertive energy from me, working to create a calm submissive dog.

We have had 2 sessions with Sally and the change in my dog and me is just amazing. It is vital that all I am learning becomes the normal way of being not just when I feel like it! It has to become second nature otherwise my dog will not take me seriously and revert back to being a bit of a bully. My dog is so much more BALANCED and CALM, he has stopped jumping up, and is so much more respectful of me and ignores other dogs and people. As a result my other 3 dogs are much calmer and less frantic when out walking, 4 balanced dogs are a pleasure to take out, rather than worrying what is going to happen next!

We still have lots of work to do, or should I say I have lots of work and learning to do, but i am absolutely delighted so far and I have a much nicer, happier more balanced dog in my family.

Thank you so much Sally.

Dorothy

Sally has been a wonderful help in showing me how to train and manage my large, very boisterous 9 month old Tamaskan hound. He is very bright but also has a very strong character and likes to be in charge, and has got the upper hand much of the time. Sally has helped me to bring this energy into line so he does not pull me along on walks and dominate me which he likes to do and which I have let happen!

I am learning to be much quicker in my responses to him, when to reprimand and when to praise, and to be consistent with him at all times. We still have lots more to do, as he is always going to be a challenging boy but he is so enthusiastic and fun, and it is so important to be able to keep that, while also being in control at all times.

I have been a dog owner all my life, but this is a new breed for me and one that needs firmer handling than I have been used to. Sally is very experienced in training dogs of all types and particularly this type of breed - similar to German Shepherds and Huskies, and I am learning a lot under her watchful guidance.

Dorothy