About K9Phuket
About K9Phuket and Anna
Whatever you are going through, I'll bet you I have experienced it!
Except toilet training issues... that was the only thing I did right from the start.
In May 2021, I brought home my first dog: Cooper, a golden retriever, whom we chose because of how smart and easy the breed is supposed to be.
What could possibly go wrong, right?
Well... let me introduce you to pre-training Cooper:
1. He pulled on the leash as if it gave his life purpose.
2. He couldn't stand other dogs in his line of sight; he'd growl, bark, and lunge at them.
3. He growled at me multiple times and even tried to bite me twice before he was even 6 months old.
4. Attempting to do his nails was like getting in the boxing ring with an opponent who had significant leverage over me: TEETH!
5. He guarded our house against one specific innocent, harmless, chill older husky as if he were possessed!
6. Going to the beach was stressful because other people would let their friendly dogs go off-leash, and in turn, I struggled to keep Cooper from getting into fights.
7. Trying to take away chicken bones and other goodies he found on walks meant choosing between getting bitten myself or taking him to the vet later.
8. We had to replace our sofa because he would dig in the garden during the rainy season and then come inside and have zoomies on the couch!
9. Twice, he has run after other dogs, catching the leash-holders off-guard, resulting in fractured fingers.
10. He trained himself to be quite the escape artist when left alone in a crate.
Then came an unfortunate incident: my dad was bitten by our neighbour's dog, which left him with severe wounds on both thighs and 2 fractured wrists from the inevitable fall. What seemed like naughty puppy behaviour from Cooper before suddenly felt dangerous. It got to the point where my dad suggested raising Cooper as an outdoor dog.
But he was my precious baby... that wasn't the life I pictured for us.
How Training Changed Our Life
That's when I sought out my mentor, Patrick Bundock, who taught me, among other things, about the Nature vs Nurture concept. Each dog is born with a certain genetic predisposition that determines its rank in a litter or pack. In Cooper's case, that genetic composition made him a confident, front-of-the-pack dog. Combine that with the way I treated him (like the most precious child of God that could do no wrong and deserved everything he wanted just because he was CUTE!), it made Cooper view me as soft and incapable of looking out for both of us. And so, he took charge.
Patrick then taught me how to effectively communicate with Cooper to help rewire his understanding of his position in the family (or pack). He helped me understand that I wasn't doomed with an unruly, aggressive dog for life.
He explained that by not taking an active role in training my dog and showing him how to navigate our world, I had put Cooper in a position where he wasn't able to kick back and enjoy life. I had unknowingly put Cooper in survival mode when I gave him freedom without a manual, so that he was coping as best as he knew how: by asserting his dominance to create a sense of safety for himself.
Once I was able to step up and help him, he learnt to trust me and follow my lead. Today, when other dogs run up to Cooper, especially if he is close to me, he looks to me for help and leaves it to me to handle the situation.
This was the most empowering, yet soft and nurturing skill I've acquired. To have such a special relationship with my dog, without sharing a common language, is my most cherished accomplishment.
Now, I aspire to empower you and help your dog trust you and your guidance so they don't constantly have to live in survival mode.
I want to help your dog truly 'just be a dog!' as they say - goofy, relaxed, and loving!
