This is so hard for me to write but it is long overdue.

I admit defeat. What started out as my ‘business plan’ has changed many times, I have learned many lessons and Big Stig is one of them. I knew then that not every dog would work, not every dog could pass the Canine Good Citizen, and not every dog we match up will work, etc. You think all these through while setting up your business (and it’s a good thing to!) However, I was certainly not prepared that one of these things would happen on our first dog.

I wont go into the whole story of how we got him (you can read older posts).  I didn’t meet Big before agreeing to take him on, going against my business plan. Everything I was told (2-3 years old, well temperament tested, neutered, updated on shots, etc) was the complete opposite.  I remember thinking that I was confident and passionate enough to make this work. I dedicated many hours (also blogged) with different trainers for months. There was also a terrible “incident” that happened to Stig that I believed caused (most) of his recent ‘reactive’ temperament. (That is a whole other story). And finally, I believe I am part of the reason for his ‘backslide’…..let me explain.

“Reactive” is a term my trainer, Donna Fournier, used to describe Big’s behavior. Big used to not care about anything, I could walk him anywhere. It started out slowly and grew fast. First he was ‘reactive’ to roller blades: When walking him a Man skated by and Stig lunged at the skates. (example of ‘reactive’). Then it grew to bikes, motorcycles, and now almost anything that moves. Donna and I have been working together on these issues with Big, giving many great ideas and suggestion that worked. You can work with any dog that is reactive, some dogs will work through it, and others may not.  I am not sure, honestly, where Stig falls.

The time to fully concentrate on what is needed to do to help him, I can’t do right now. This breaks my heart. I refused to admit that I couldn’t train him while I continued to do all the business stuff.  But now I see that I can’t and maybe I am making this worse. Our house and life is very stressful right now, I am very emotional, all scenarios that are ‘interfering’ and causing more anxiety with Big.

The trainers that I am working with now are not in the position to take Stig in (foster) and continue to train. I (we) are not ready to say that for sure he wont pass, until I have exhausted all measures. So, I am asking for help. If you, or someone you know, is a trainer that has the availability to take a dog in for a few weeks, PLEASE let me know.