Ares was rescued in 2016 by Robyn and her husband as a gift for her son. Ares had an extremely rough start to life. We don’t know his history prior to being with his family, but he was always fearful. After being adopted, Ares was attacked at daycare by dogs and it resulted in stitches and he also has been attacked by dogs off leash. He has been living in fear for so long. Robyn sadly lost her husband of 33 years in 2020 and it has been a difficult road since. Robyn is unable to have people over because Ares is fearful and will bark and lunge. He has injured her in their yard due to not having a fence and it is difficult for Robyn to walk him. Unfortunately, being able to afford training was out of the question after now only having one income, so we are here to help to improve Robyn and Ares’s way of life!
Lesson #1
Today we incorporated an E collar on the walk and utilized his E collar and harness to walk past distractions. Ares did a great job of stopping the lunging and barking both on the walk and when I entered the home. We also worked on Ares accepting me and allowing me to move about the home and sit and stand in the living room. Robyn expressed she has a new Hope that this will work and is very thankful for the opportunity. Ares was able to calm down and actually fell asleep towards the end of the session. Robyn explained this is something she has not been able to accomplish in years.
Lesson #2
Today we worked once again on walking but because it was such a beautiful day there were a ton of distractions! We passed bikes, scooters, kids, dogs, and large trucks. Ares did exceptional at passing all of them and did so without lunging or barking. We then went back inside and practiced me entering and exiting the living room being able to sit and stand in the chair. Lastly, we talked through and practiced introductions with treats. We started off throwing the treat to Aries while making eye contact then crouching down and throwing a treat while making eye contact. Occasionally, Aries would still bark on the other side of the gate as well as bark and lunge at me, but a simple quick e-collar correction was able to deter and stop the barking.
Lesson #3
Today we worked with the muzzle. We used the muzzle for close passes in the house and worked on the front door. Ares allowed me to sit next to Robyn on the sofa. Robyn let me know this is the closest anyone other than her sons have been allowed to sit by her. Sometimes ares reacts when Robyn’s sons give her a hug when they are leaving. Part of Robyn’s homework is to set up this scenario and correct Ares for barking/reacting.
Lesson #4
Today Ares felt comfortable enough to show me his tricks like sit pretty and complete them when I asked! We worked on close passes inside with the muzzle at first and without. Robyn met me at the door with ares on leash and with muzzle, something she is been unable to do before.
Lesson #5
Ares visited Robyn’s son over the weekend and typically ares does not like Andrea ( the sons girlfriend) this visit ares was very well behaved and even chose to sit next to Andrea. The son said he’s like a different dog! We worked on greeting at the door on leash with a muzzle then were able to get to Ares giving me paw without the muzzle on and allowing me to give him a treat out of a flat hand. We then advanced to flat hand and chin brush to begin facilitating pets.
Lesson #6
Ares was able to stay with Robyn’s son at his house and was very well behaved. Robyn was able to have her mom visit without Ares barking at all this has NEVER happened! Ares allowed a repairman who he has never met to come into the house! The neighbor who Ares typically always barks at remarked “that’s the calmest I’ve ever seen ares!” Today Ares was without a leash and allowed me to be in his backyard while playing. He took treats from me, allowed me to walk about his house, and did not make any poor choices.
Lesson #7
Today we worked around the house with Robyn and Ares, this time, Robyn and Ares were able to meet me at the door without a leash and we were able to enter and exit the backyard without incident. Ares has passed his neighborhood arch nemesis ( the dog Cooper ) many times all without incident!!! Robyn was able to take Ares and spend an afternoon having lunch with her sons and their significant others without Ares making any poor choices! They were also able to all take a walk on a busy trail near the sons home. Ares passed a bike and runners (something he would’ve never been able to do before) without any issues at all!! Robyn feels like she is getting her life back!
Lesson #8
For lesson 8 we walked around Rural King. Robyn had not been to the store with Ares in years due to his horrible reaction the last time she went. He barked and lunged the last time he had went. This time, Ares walked around calmly the entire time passing kids (who he’s afraid of) and men wearing hats (also a big fear)! We walked around the whole time with only one partial incident where Ares went to bark/lunge and Robyn was able to quickly and confidently stop the behavior. Robyn was so pleased by the visit, she plans to take Ares back on a regular basis!
Lesson #9
Today Stephanie helped out and really tested Ares being the first brand new person he has allowed into their home! Robyn was able to meet Stephanie at the door with Ares and Ares did not bark or growl. Stephanie was then able to begin by throwing Ares treats and eventually took them out of Stephanie’s hand. I had Robyn facilitate the whole session in preparation to be able to keep Ares social when I’m not around. Robyn also had her sister in law and niece over and they could not believe that he was the same dog!
