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Max, is our wonderful German Shepherd Dog. He's 11 years old and is certainly getting on in years. We now live with Max's conditions as he ages, Arthritis. IBD, a small Lesion on his Brain and his Seizures. We love him dearly and he certainly fills our lives. 

Max came to us at 12 weeks old from German Shepherd Rescue Scotland, a wonderful local charity run by wonderful Volunteers.  

In every way I was so proud of Max as a Puppy. Everything was perfect and went so well with his early upbringing. I look back and, I'm not blowing my own trumpet, but couldn't have done better. He was an absolute star. 

At seven months old, when all his hormones started to kick in, he changed, and he changed dramatically. All of a sudden the Perfect Puppy became the Terrible Teenager. However the change was more dramatic than anything I'd ever seen. Max became reactive to both other Dogs and People and the change was extreme. All of a sudden I had an 80lbs beast who wasn't happy with the world. This was a huge wake up call for me. 

I worked hard on Max's issues and it did take a long time. Max did move from the Dog who would demonstrate extreme reactivity to any person or dog over 200 metres  away to a dog I could walk along the street with and pass by other people and dogs...off leash...I make that sound simple and easy - it wasn't and I fully appreciate with my Clients how it feels to live with a Reactive Dog. It's hard on the Dog and it's hard on you. 

As with Breeze, Max has taught me so much and I've learnt more from Max than I've learnt with any Dog I've ever owned or what I've learnt from elsewhere. Yvonne Walker at Darcregan Dog Training will be forever in my debt for the support and guidance she gave me with Max 

What Max has taught me

• The emotional side of living with a Reactive Dog
• How to really reduce Reactivity with an extremely Reactive Dog, using kind, reward based techniques
• The importance in performing Scentwork based activities in reducing Reactivity 

Edit, Max sadly crossed over rainbow bridge in January 2024. I will forever be in his debt for everything he taught me. To this day he is the inspiration, drive and deep rooted reason I help, coach and support so many reactive dog owners with their dogs. 

Breeze came to us four years ago at 14 weeks old.  She was part of a litter of Pups rescued from a hill Farm in the Wester Isles by Protecting Pre-loved Border Collies) (PPBC)

The Farmer had neglected the litter, leaving them to fend for theirselves, whilst the Mother was sent out to work during the day. He was ready to dump the litter in the Sea when the team at PPBC stepped in to save them. The Pups underwent a difficult journey back to the mainland where the team at PPBC did an excellent job, along with the care of their Vet, to get them back to full health and ready to re-home. This was no easy task, given their state of Nourishment, being fled ridden and full of worms. 

When Breeze came to us she had missed the critical socialisation period of 8 to 11.5 weeks old. However things started to go well until she had a terrible accident down to a collision injury with our other Dog, our GSD, Max. Breeze's hips were knocked out of alignment and I cannot thank enough the wonderful work done by the Canine Physiotherapist the Bush Vet to help her live a fulfilling life running about just how a Collie should again.

At the same time this meant that Breeze not only missed the first, critical socialisation period, she also missed out a lot of early life socialisation opportunities as she was so restricted in the exercise she could do due to the injury. 

Breeze also presented Resource Guarding issues, The litter had been left to fend for themselves and, at an early age, it was imprinted upon her to fight and guard for food to survive. 

This may all sound like a sad story but I'm so glad she came to me as she has taught me so much (all my Dogs I've owned have taught me an incredible amount, more than can be gained by any book I've read) 

What Breeze has taught me

• How to live with a Resource Guarding Dog and how to deal with those issues, making me more than qualified to help my Clients with this issues
• How to do Remedial Socialisation
• The vital importance of the balance between Training and Free Running