Mimi's Story

Mimi is a Rescue from Texas
She's a hound dog and quite the nose on her
She was brought to Canada and has bitten people and dogs
She is trigger by quick moving things

Coming from Rescue Mimi started as Mia and found fantastic rescuers, it turned out Mia needed special attention and we decided this was exactly what we wanted. We had the skills and time to give Mia.

Upon arriving at home, Nancy screamed "Hey Mimi!" it wasn't until 3 months later that after reviewing her initial rescue papers, her original name when taken off the streets was Mimi. Another sign she was mean to come join our pack.

Breed: Blue Tick Coonhound
Sex: Female
Age: Estimate 5 years
Problems:

People & Dog reactivity
Anxiety
Counter Surfing
Poop Eating
Pulling on lead

MIMI

Jonathan and Nancy kneeling next to a black and white dog in a lush green yard. Both trainers smile warmly, creating a welcoming and approachable atmosphere.

JOn Wells standing in a grassy park holding two leashed dogs—a black and tan German Shepherd and a black and white pup. The dogs sit attentively, showcasing their well-behaved and relaxed demeanor.

A black and white dog lying comfortably in a cozy crate with a soft gray bed, surrounded by colorful woven blankets draped over the crate. A guitar is visible in the background, adding a personal touch to the cozy scene

A black and white dog standing on a gravel path next to wooden raised garden beds and a setup of red buckets for outdoor gardening. The lush green forest in the background adds a serene touch to the setting

🐾 Initial Training

When Mimi first came home, we set up her crate (or as we call it — her chalet) and introduced her to Marrue, our 14-year-old Chow Chow. The introductions didn’t go smoothly at first — Mimi wasn’t used to living with other dogs.

We spent a lot of time walking together, helping both dogs find calm through movement and shared space. Mimi’s food was switched to a raw diet, and we created a sense of abundance in her new home.

We also taught her to leave the front door area and relax in her chalet with the door open. She took her new role as “doorwoman” a bit seriously at first — but she’s learning that calm presence is all that’s needed.

🦮 Follow-Up Training

To help Mimi build confidence around other dogs, we continued structured walks and calm exposure with Marrue. Every session focused on leadership, predictability, and consistency.

As she began to trust her environment, Mimi started to settle in beautifully — resting calmly, following guidance, and responding well to her family’s structure and tone.

🌳 Reactivity & Confidence Building

To help Mimi stay relaxed in public, we spent a lot of time in Gatineau’s parks — walking in busy areas and visiting spots that once caused anxiety. By facing challenges head-on, she learned to trust her people and look to them for guidance instead of reacting.

That consistency built real confidence — for both Mimi and her humans.

🐕 A Year Later

Mimi now joins us on training sessions as a calm, balanced example for other dogs. She wears her Pro Muzzle until she completes six months without a single incident — a step that reflects her progress, not her past.

She eats only her food, no longer eats poop, and has become a huge cuddler — always ready for her morning snuggles when Grandpa’s light turns on. She’s so relaxed now, it’s a joy to have her around. Mimi follows us through the house, and when things get noisy, she simply heads back to her chalet — her safe space.

💪 What We’re Working On

Threshold Work: We’re helping Mimi learn her limits on long training days — recognizing when to rest and when to engage.
Off-Leash Recall: Like any hound, her nose can turn off her ears. One whiff of a BBQ in Louisiana, and she’s ready for an adventure — hound owners know the feeling!

🌟 Team Mimi

Now that Mimi has started working alongside us, we may just lose Employee of the Month to her!