In April of 2018, my husband, Adam, and I were at a crossroads. Our buddy Remus had inconsistent…read moreaggression and behavior issues that were becoming more regular. We'd adopted him a year prior, when he was approximately three years old. Throughout the year, Remus had struggled off and on with minor/moderate behavioral issues-- leash walking, listening to commands, dominance issues with other dogs, and snapping. Two minor bite incidents had also occurred within this time. And though both incidents were a result of Remus being provoked, we still felt like we were at the point of taking severe action. Our wonderful dog walker, Liam, suggested we see a Certified Behavior Consultant and recommended Chris/The Balanced Dog.
From the moment Chris stepped into our house, I knew she was the answer. She had practical and applicable knowledge that went above and beyond what we expected. Her insight was dead-on, and her knowledge was astounding. She understood the biology that led to common behavior problems, and related it to us in a tangible way. She was funny, and no nonsense. I instantly connected.
During our first meeting, she took time to listen. She heard our concerns, and listened to our fears. For the first 30 minutes to an hour, Remus wasn't in the room. She wanted to observe his response to separation, and she wanted to get to know us. When we finally let Remus out of the back room, Chris really started to shine. She was so confident. She played games with him, all the while explaining exactly why she was moving and interacting in specific ways. Remus knew she was different, and his response to her was unlike anything I'd ever seen. By the end of the lesson, we were up on our feet interacting with Remus in a new way.
When she left, I cried into Adam's shoulder. It was the first time since we adopted Remus that I truly felt like it was going to work out for the long run.
Some things to keep in mind as you prepare to work with Ms. Chris...
1. You have to work consistently with your pup throughout the week, and practice what Ms. Chris is teaching you during your lesson.
2. You can't be afraid. As Ms. Chris said to me once when I was freaking out, "Amy, your dog is not Cujo."
3. Your dog's behavior is way more about YOU and how you're communicating than it is about your dog.
If you can remember those (3) things, as you start this process with The Balanced Dog, you'll be successful.
Chris gave us our lives back. She taught us how to communicate with Remus, and how to help him alleviate stress. He is a completely different dog, and our family bond is much stronger. Chris is accessible-- she speaks on your level (even though I'm 99% positive she is MUCH smarter than all of us).
If you're struggling, and wrestling with tough decisions, call Chris first. She will be a huge asset to your team and you will absolutely not regret it.
