Boot Camp Training Saves Family from Having to Move

I chose Jabula’s Bootcamp because I realized we were in over our heads with a training problem and needed help. Tretiak and Jabula have taught me a lot about perseverance. When it seems like everything is closing in, and it’s hopeless, don’t give up, just work harder and don’t be afraid to love harder too. The results will exceed every bit or drama and trauma endured. Seriously.

Tretiak (Trets for short) joined our family last February after my husband fell in love with his Petfinder picture. It was love at first sight, and we nicknamed him “orecchio” thanks to his massive ears.  (Orecchio=Italian for ears) Our other dog Effie (a Jabula graduate) tolerated her new brother, as well as new siblings do, and it seemed like we were a happy family. Trets cuddled and gave unlimited kisses; it was obvious he just wanted to be loved. He made us all melt like gelato.   We were all set to live happily ever after:  building a big beautiful house in the suburbs,  our business prospering. But Trets had some serious problems, we soon discovered. He suffered from crate anxiety and tended to break out of his crate when left alone. One morning, the petsitter called to tell me our bedroom looked like it was ransacked. The crate was tipped over to its side and the bedding was shredded.   Miraculously, the rest of our house was intact. Other times, he howled and moaned nonstop when crated. We think this stemmed from his abandonment after his first family moved, leaving him in a yard at just 1 years old. Anxiety is a common problem, and we began to work on training.  As a GSD Rescue of GA volunteer many resources were at my disposal, including Jabula.

Unfortunately, the crate training was not working quickly enough.  A loathsome neighbor complained about our pets and Trets’ noise. We were renting at the time, and the detestable property manager sided with this villainous neighbor. She warned us Trets had to live elsewhere, because this vile woman complained our pets affected her health and ability to work. From the property’s standpoint, her well being came before our pets. “Pets aren’t as important as people,” she reported.  Those words stung like a swarm of wasps. For the first time in life, there was nothing I could do. Being renters, we had no legal recourse. My heart was breaking because Trets continued to cuddle despite the animosity around him.

We realized that first and foremost, he needed help with his problems in an environment conducive to healing. That place was NOT living next door to Cruella Devil. We had a responsibility to protect his well being. I just could not rehome him and never see him again.  I remembered Jabula’s bootcamp worked with situations that were beyond an owner’s control, so I gave it a shot. Kate & Gill offered empathy and honesty throughout this process and I trusted they would be able to recommend what was best for us all.  I was skeptical about 3 weeks turnaround time, given what I’d read on the Internet. (FYI, the Internet and chat rooms should never replace a professional trainer or vet.) I truly did not think Trets would come home to us because his anxiety was so severe.  But anything is possible, and he deserved a chance to get better, so we sent him to bootcamp.

Being without Trets was hard. We had already bonded in a month. Where Effie was my heart, he was my soul.  I was beaten down emotionally from the whole situation. I still saw that sweet face and massive ears every time I walked into our living room.  I cried almost every time I thought of him. For 3 weeks, I could not eat, barely slept and was not myself. I thought about my cappuccino bambino every day but was too scared to call and see how he was doing. I could not bear any more bad news. We went to look at our house being built, part of me was so sad the whole family would not live there. I slowly realized I did what was best for Trets by sending him away to bootcamp. We did not cause his problems, as Kate pointed out; his former owners likely never trained him.

At the end of 3 weeks, Kate called to say Trets was ready to come home. I could not believe it but it was TRUE.  He worked very hard. She said he has an excellent temperament and is over the anxiety. He could be crated while I went to work!  I was really skeptical and anxious but when we arrived to pick him up, our guy seemed well adjusted and trained.  He took my breath away as he heeled off leash and sat on command.  Very happy to come home, he slept in our living room, crated, without a peep. Using his remote collar, we could correct any crying. He barely needed it. Whatever they did was magic!

 We also found out from Kate’s assessment, that Trets is a very active guy. His high energy level actually helped me since I was extremely lax in my workout routine.

Now, we walk on mile hikes 2 and 3 times a day.  Sometimes, Effie joins us. We also do 1K-5K charity walks.  As a GSD Rescue of GA Ambassador, Trets accompanies me to rescue events.  Who is a better spokesman?  Recently, he has been to the Atlanta Jazz Festival and performed at the Basement Theater, placing on command and jumping through hoops.  His biggest accomplishment, though, is graduating from Stage 3 Obedience at Jabula this past July. Kate & Gill were so proud of this guy at the ceremony; it brought tears to my eyes.  They genuinely love him and it is very obvious they care about the dogs welfare.    I am eternally grateful to Jabula, for keeping my family together.

Bootcamp was the best decision for everyone, my only regret is that we did not do it sooner and spared lots of drama and trauma.  Bootcamp is not a last resort; it’s a solution where a situation is handled by trained professionals. Kate gave full attention to the problem and the results were fantastic. We never would have been able to do this, working full time. As a marketing research exec and an MBA, we are not dog trainers, but we soon became educated thanks to Jabula. We even received instruction for the remote collar and I felt totally comfortable using it after Kate’s brief introduction (This is a feat because I am not mechanical at all). They also told us what to expect upon bringing him home. I must admit was a bit apprehensive but in time, once I saw how well behaved my Trets was, that feeling subsided. He adjusted perfectly and adjusted again the next month when we moved. We also have the constant support of Jabula, which puts us at ease.  The best thing we did for Trets was to get help with a behavior problem quickly, before it got out of control. He is thriving as the GSD Rescue ambassador.

What next?  Our story is far from over. Trets can definitely take agility lessons at Jabula! We are also considering giving Trets a job as a therapy dog. People deserve to meet him and let his good nature rub off. He’ll make you melt like gelato in summertime.  I cannot express how much love and happiness Tretsie brings me. We have a very special connection and every time I see that face and those big ears, I know anything is possible with a bit of work and lots of love.

Thanks, Kate, Gill & Jabula for not letting us give up!