Last year, my Golden Retriever, Rogie, was attacked by multiple dogs. That experience changed him…read more He became anxious and fearful around other dogs, especially bigger dogs approaching him or jumping around him. What might look like normal dog behavior to someone else felt like a threat to Rogie, and he'd go straight into fight-or-flight mode.
I met with several trainers around the Bay Area after that, but nothing really felt satisfactory. I didn't want to just manage his reactions or put a bandaid on the problem. I wanted to understand what was causing them and how to help him.
We heard about René through one of Rogie's friends who had great results with him, and decided to give it a try.
On evaluation day, René simply watched how I interacted with Rogie and pointed out something I hadn't really considered. Some of the things I was doing, despite having the best intentions, were actually adding to Rogie's anxiety.
We love our dogs so much that sometimes we forget they don't understand or perceive things the way we do.
I had become so focused on everything happening around us. What if a dog approaches from the front? What if one comes from behind? What if someone walks past our front door? What is that dog doing? What is that person doing?
I was constantly anticipating the next problem and trying to have a solution ready for every possible situation. It was exhausting. My nervous system was on fire, walks had become stressful, and somewhere along the way, I'd started feeling like I was failing Rogie.
René snapped me out of that thought process with something so simple: Stop worrying about everything else. Focus on what YOU are doing, and the rest will fall into place.
Sounds simple, right? But I really needed someone to tell me that.
He taught me how much my posture, body language, timing, and technique matter. And none of it was about finding some magical quick fix. It required persistence, focus, consistency, and discipline on my part.
One thing I really appreciated about René was his structured approach. There was a schedule, homework that needed to be completed and signed off, clear expectations for every class, and even a set graduation day. I loved that! His instructions were straightforward, and he explained the what, the why, and the how. I always knew what we were working toward and what was expected of me.
And the changes in Rogie? He's calmer, more relaxed, and our walks have improved so much. He's no longer pulling on the leash, and we're not constantly struggling through our walks.
But the biggest difference, and the one that makes me happiest, is that Rogie is having fun!
Before, he was so focused on everything happening around him that even when we were outside together, his attention was always somewhere else. Now he's much more interested in playing fetch with me! He's actually engaged in what we're doing together instead of constantly watching the environment.
I can't explain how happy that makes me. After seeing him become so fearful following the attack, watching him relax and enjoy himself is wonderful. I didn't want a dog who just followed commands. I wanted Rogie to enjoy being a dog.
And here's something I never thought I'd be saying in a dog trainer review: My nervous system calmed down. I'm sleeping better.
If you've spent a long time constantly worrying about your dog's safety, you might understand how much that means. I finally have a clear plan, a checklist, and the confidence to focus on what I need to do rather than trying to prepare for every possible thing that could go wrong.
I also appreciate that René doesn't sugarcoat things. He tells you what needs to be done, sets expectations, and expects you to put in the work. You can't just show up for a training session and expect your dog to magically change. You have to do your homework too, and I genuinely liked that approach.
My only regret is not doing proper research when I first brought Rogie home in 2022. I wish we'd started with René back then. Having the right foundation from the beginning could have saved us a lot of unnecessary stress and helped me approach things differently when Rogie's fear developed after the attack.
The biggest lesson for me has been that I don't need a separate plan for a hundred different situations. I need to focus on what I'm doing and learn how to be someone Rogie can look to for guidance.
René, thank you for helping both of us. You've made such a difference, and I'm so glad we found you.
I cannot recommend René enough, especially if you're willing to put in the work yourself. This experience has been about so much more than teaching Rogie to follow commands. It's about both of us learning to relax and enjoy our time together again.
