What JoJo Taught Me About Thresholds, Tools, And Freedom In Dog Training

JoJo’s Story – A Canine at His Restrict 

JoJo was one of many hardest conduct modification circumstances I’ve labored with—and one in every of my best academics.

He’s a Chinese language Village Canine. I don’t know precisely how his unique household got here to have him—possibly they rescued him from the road, or possibly he simply grew to become a part of their life in China. Finally, they moved to the USA. Years later, as they aged into their 90s, JoJo began reacting aggressively to anybody coming into their dwelling. He wasn’t secure for the caregivers they wanted. So he was positioned in a rescue and adopted by Sunny—who would quickly turn into one in every of my closest pals.

Once we began coaching, I used a reward-only strategy. That’s the place I at all times start. However in JoJo’s case, we hit critical roadblocks—as a result of some issues had been fully out of our management.

Why Reward-Solely Wasn’t Sufficient

JoJo lived in an upstairs unit above a busy city heart. Simply stepping outdoors put him over threshold. Folks, canines, site visitors—all an excessive amount of, too quick. We even tried having him potty indoors to keep away from triggering conditions, however it turned out extra irritating than useful. He would maintain it for hours, ready for the routine he was used to: a stroll.

He wasn’t simply “cussed.” He was caught—emotionally, bodily, behaviorally.

And I used to be caught too.

The Turning Level: Off-Leash Recall and E-Collar Work

After months of attempting every part we may, JoJo got here to my board and prepare program. That’s once we introduced in additional balanced strategies, together with off-leash recall and e-collar work.

He wanted freedom. He wanted to know he may go away a scenario as an alternative of feeling trapped on a leash. And he wanted that earlier than he may achieve a conventional surroundings.

Humorous factor is—when JoJo arrived, I had been critically contemplating stepping away from utilizing e-collars in my coaching.

However JoJo taught me one thing essential: it’s okay.

It’s Okay to Use the Instruments—With the Proper Intention

It’s okay to make use of a instrument to present a canine extra freedom. It’s okay to make use of it for security. It’s okay to adapt.

Do I provide e-collar work to each consumer? No.

Do I promote it closely? No.

However after I select to make use of a instrument this nuanced—this highly effective—it’s as a result of I do know it’s the proper canine, the proper proprietor, and the proper scenario. As a result of it’s not about pushing a button. It’s about instructing a brand new language the canine has by no means heard, by no means seen, by no means felt. One that features selection, management, and the flexibility to take away themselves from overwhelming conditions.

Leash Legal guidelines vs. Actual Canine Wants

Folks typically say, “Nicely, what about leash legal guidelines?” And I get it.

Canines are domesticated, sure. However they weren’t born pondering, “I’m going to be tethered to a human by 6 toes of nylon perpetually.” We created that system.

And we want leash legal guidelines as a result of not everybody can management their canine. Some canines don’t have social manners. Some house owners ignore boundaries. And identical to vaccines or seat belts, construction exists as a result of too many individuals wouldn’t comply with the principles in any other case.

However right here’s the distinction: my purpose isn’t chaos. It’s structured freedom.

That’s why, after I educate off-leash expertise, I at all times begin with a protracted line. It’s by no means with out a “helper” instrument. And sure, even a 50-foot line dragging behind the canine remains to be freedom. It’s managed freedom. It offers the canine house to make selections—however with a security web.

They’re not off-leash but, however they’re studying what it feels prefer to be.

How JoJo Discovered His Folks (and So Did I)

JoJo grounded all the hearth in me. It took me ten visits earlier than I may even contact him. Simply contact.

We needed to board him earlier than he lastly let his guard down. And thru that course of, one thing stunning occurred: I didn’t simply acquire a consumer—I gained a buddy. Sunny and I grew to become shut. And JoJo? He made that occur.

It’s humorous—I at all times say my husband ended up with me as a result of his canine was so troublesome, he had no selection however to marry the coach.

Perhaps JoJo was the identical. So laborious, he introduced two individuals collectively.

Sunny despatched me a photograph of JoJo not too long ago. He seemed regal. Majestic. Like a canine that had come by means of hearth and are available out glowing.

Then she instantly adopted it with a drooler pic—as a result of stability.

Thanks, Sunny. Thanks for being a buddy. And thanks for giving me JoJo.