
The Mouse Dog Story
WHY I TRAIN
When I was 10 years old, I trained my first dog, and I've been passionate about working with and connecting with dogs and animals ever since.
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For 8 years, I struggled with my white shepherd Mouse and her anxiety. I tried everything - different trainers, running with her, biking with her, medications, acupuncture, and even energy work. My dog was well-trained, but at the same time, reactive and fearful of everything and everybody. After Mouse nipped a neighbor, I chose to muzzle her on walks. Mouse was the sweetest dog in our family, but out in the world and with new people, she was stressed, scared, and not in a good state of mind.
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One day, a gal walling dogs told me about "Sean O’Shea and that he could help." Sean works with aggressive dogs and rehabilitates them. Eventually, anxiety, insecurity, and fear will lead your dog to aggression. Mouse Dog was rehabbed for two weeks at The Good Dog training facility. When she came home, she was trained differently, and I had to do a ton of work on our relationship and habits. Under Sean's tutelage for the next year, I took over her training and applied the techniques to our other dog, Nelson. Finally, the secret to teaching a dog to be calm and help them feel safe. Mouse dogs' state of mind had changed. After 8 years of struggling with her anxiety, this was a miracle. It changed my life and my family's way of living. It helped Mouse Dog's mind as she stopped living in constant fear. She was not perfect but the best Mouse dog she could be.
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Why do I do this? Because I know you're struggling. I saw the way Mouse changed, and I know that the more dogs that are helped, the fewer will end up at shelters for behavioral problems that can be altered. I want to empower dog owners with information that will change how they think and share skills so their dog(s) can feel their owner's confidence, take a back seat, and relax.
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Having a dog should bring joy into your life. The problem is that most people don’t know how to build a good foundation. Too much love is often the problem and must be balanced with boundaries, structure, and rules. If you have kids, you know this to be true for them, and it also holds for your dogs. They're not babies but furry kids who need rules and boundaries to make them feel safe.

I trained my first dog when I was 10.
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Our family dog, Piper's graduation, photo sitting with my dad after we came home from my last training class. In our final competition, Piper and I placed second after a German Shepherd learning to be a police dog. We also received the most improved award. My other passion is photography, so I shot this photo and made her graduation cap.