๐๐พ๐ฅ๐ Welcome to our Client Corner!!!! ๐๐พ๐ฅ๐
Our first spotlight is on Don & Krista and their incredible little dude, Levi! In Don's own words:
"Bringing a Mini Bull Terrier into your household is not for the faint of heart. A true lesson in extremes. One side is the absolute unbreakable love and affection they bring to your life. The other side is to test every ounce of your patience and resolve.
They truly know what buttons to push, and how much fun theyโll have pushing them. We needed help in either hiding the buttons, or finding a way to have Levi choose a better time/place/intensity for the pressing!
I think our initial concerns probably covered the common โpuppyโ issues - jumping up during a greeting, pulling while walking on a leash, excessive barking, and just overall lack of good manners.
Our biggest takeaway during our time with MJ, was twofold.
First to listen for his voice, and to really hear it. Leviโs voice comes in different forms, from the various tones and intensities of his bark, to the multiple cues his body language offers up. Some more subtle than others.
Secondly was implementing the guidance. Levi responds much better to a kinder โaskโ than an aggressive โtellโ. He absolutely shuts down in/around aggressive scolding. Things that we thought needed a stronger correction, were met with much more success when a kind word and reward are used to redirect from the negative and praise the positive.
As this is our second Bullie, we thought this was going to be easy (easier). We were sorely mistaken. What we chose not to remember was, it had been almost 11 years since we had โpuppyโ things to contend with. The love that the little guy brought to the party was unquestionable - as was the fun and wackiness his breed is known for. The free-spirited craziness was also present in spades.
Without question, we as humans needed the vast majority (ok, pretty much all) of the instruction from MJ. She taught us how to teach.
This is Levi. In addition to his impeccable sense of style, and his uncanny Chewbacca impersonation, his most endearing trait is happy. Happy to see any and everyone. Happy to see any other dog. Happy to go to the vet. Happy for a trip to the groomer. Happy to curl up with his momma on the couch. Happy to be happy."
๐ฌ Reader, if you'd like me to feature your dog, please send me their name, how old they are, three things that you love about them and their picture (a png works best).
Also, my friend, if you're forwarding this email to your fellow dog lovers, why not get them to do this fun quiz (and if YOU haven't yet, what ARE you waiting for??!!) so they can get their very own copies!
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