Vinny's Story
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Vinny's parent wanted to offer Vinny the best
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During Covid, noone visited and Vinny became very protective
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Noone can enter the house and not be aggressed
Coming from a shelter, Vinny met the best rescuer he could ask for. Being the tail end of COVID, Vinny was very comfortable being alone with his owner. Alas humans like to socialize and Vinny needed help., Vinny was put on medication for anxiety.
Breed: Shepperd Mix
Sex: Male
Age: 4 years
Problems:
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Barking
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People reactivity
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Dog reactivity
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Anxiety
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Separation Anxiety
VINNY
🐾 Initial Training
In our first training session, we focused on helping Vinny’s family understand how dogs think — especially the unique needs of a rescue learning to feel safe and settled in a new home.
We talked about nutrition, how to speak Vinny’s language, and how to move through the home in a calm, guiding way that made sense to him. One of our first lessons was teaching Vinny to leave the front door area and relax in his open crate. At that time, he had no idea how to “help” at the door — and that was perfectly okay.
🦮 Follow-Up Training
In our follow-up sessions, we practiced calmly answering the door to help Vinny feel comfortable when guests arrived. From there, we moved on to hosting quiet coffee visits — no growling, no tension, just relaxed presence around people.
We also took training into the real world — walking through the neighborhood, visiting local parks, and even exploring flea markets. It was wonderful to see Vinny enjoying public spaces without lunging, barking, or worrying about other dogs and people.
🌳 Reactivity & Progress
As Vinny’s confidence grew, he joined us for Training at the Park sessions, where he became a calm example for other dogs learning the same skills. His composure and focus helped show new dogs what calm behavior looks like.
Vinny now regularly checks in with his owner during walks — making sure he’s keeping her happy and proud.