Doofy’s family did not call Off Leash K9 Training North Alabama about obedience. They called because a marriage-sized argument had started over whether the dog could stay.

You can read Doofy’s full review on Google – her owner is refreshingly blunt about it.

Where Doofy Started

Doofy was a newly rescued one-year-old Cane Corso, and by her owner’s account she is sweet and smart. She was also, after only a couple of months in the house, close to being sent back.

Three things were driving it: separation anxiety, destructiveness, and relentless terrorizing of the family cats. Her owner believed Doofy would get there eventually. She was just not sure Doofy would get there before she ran out of goodwill with the rest of the household.

That is a real deadline, and it is one we hear more often than people expect.

The Training Journey

The first phone call did a lot of work here. A few minutes into the conversation, Lindsey was already describing Doofy’s behavior back to her owner, good and bad, before being told.

That is not a trick. Separation anxiety and destructive behavior run in recognizable patterns, and having seen a pattern many times is most of what an experienced trainer brings. Her owner says that call was the moment she knew Doofy would get where she needed to be faster and more easily than she could manage alone.

Doofy’s trainer sent pictures and videos nearly every day. On pickup day he sat with the family for over an hour, answering every question, tolerating her husband’s jokes, and teaching them how to keep training Doofy at home.

Doofy’s Wins

She came home calmer and a much better listener. She now restrains herself when the cats come out, which is the behavior that had been the hardest to live with.

And then the leash. Her owner says she cannot believe the transformation, or how easy Doofy is to walk now.

What It Changed for Her Family

The household went from counting down to a decision to having high hopes for a peaceful home.

Her owner also names something that is easy to overlook: she has no doubt the team will pick right back up and help if anything starts to slip. Knowing support is still there is a large part of why families keep the results.

Why Doofy’s Story Matters

Anxiety, destruction and chasing the cats are usually treated as three problems. They are often one problem, showing up in three places, and they get worse while everybody waits for the dog to grow out of it.

Doofy also shows what a rescue looks like a few weeks in, before anybody has taught her what the rules are. She was never a bad dog. She was an unsettled one. At Off Leash K9 Training North Alabama we would much rather meet a dog at that stage than after a family has run out of patience.

Is Your Dog Struggling When You Leave?

If your dog panics, destroys things, or cannot leave the cat alone, we would like to hear about it. Read about our approach to separation anxiety and behavior work, compare our training programs and pricing, or call (256) 998-8316.