Six months ago, Laura Bader adopted two Boxers from PA Boxers of Lancaster. Laura owned Boxers for most of her life and was very familiar with the breed, but this was her first time rescuing dogs. Abby, a puppy mill rescue, was 1 ½ years old, and June was 3 years old when Laura brought them home.
Like most dogs, Abby and June love going on walks, however because of the exuberance common in the Boxer breed, they were challenging. The strength behind their pulling left Laura struggling to manage them and ultimately frustrated.
Drawing on her past experience from classes with her previous boxers, she tried applying what she learned to the two dogs. She tried various collars and leashes but none seemed to work. After a few months, Abby and June were overpowering Laura, leaving her afraid to take them out for walks.
At her wits end, Laura decided to look for help. Laura, the Senior Local Advertising Manager for Calkins Media Inc., discovered Lead the Way Dog Training was one of her contributors and decided to reach out to them for guidance.
“After meeting Lead Trainer and Owner, Amy McCaa of Lead the Way two months ago in November of 2013, I knew I made the right choice. I agreed to four in-home sessions and after only the first session, I was walking my dogs with much more confidence. After a few sessions, we enjoyed walks several times per day! Amy not only showed me the techniques I needed, but also introduced me to the tools that would help me manage our walks. What I like most was all of the training was done in a very positive way. This has been a great experience for both me and my dogs! Amy was an inspiration because she clearly understands dogs, was very familiar with my issues and offered several solutions,” said Laura Bader.
Watch Laura learn to walk both girls teaching them both at the same time with LTW Lead Assistant Kirstin Grover in this video:
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Laura, Abbey & Junie
As involved animal activists, heavily vested in responsible re-homing, Lead the Way trainers have hands on immersion in dog behavior, rehabilitation and re-homing of 100’s of “hopeless” cases. “Laura is a dream owner, she loves her girls and just needs to know how to communicate with them. In our first consultation, we noticed that Abby reacted from fear, and June was coming in to protect her pack member. Showing Laura how to read her dog`s language and help them choose a new reaction is the plan. It’s a pleasure to work with these ladies, and wonderful to watch them become a peaceful, balanced family who enjoy spending time together.” Amy McCaa (BS, ABCDT, & Local Mentor Instructor for the Animal Behavior College).
Check out Abby and June learning their manners with Laura, Lead Trainer Amy McCaa and Lead Assistant Kirstin Grover in this video:
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Abbey & Junie practice their manners