It is certainly important to choose a dog that matches your lifestyle and energy level. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may not do well with an extremely active and enthusiastic dog. People with severe medical issues should avoid adopting a dog with a chaotic temperament, and this story will tell you why.
A woman named Debbie owns three pets. Samson, one of her pets, is too energetic for her. Debbie’s physical condition causes her to be always exhausted, thus taking care of Samson strains her body.
When Debbie’s father visits, he frequently tells her to get rid of the dog. Eventually, he issued her an ultimatum. He told her that he would never visit again if she did not surrender Samson or at least do something about his behavior. This was when she sought assistance from a professional dog trainer.
Victoria Stilwell, a dog trainer, observed Samson’s behavior. The dog frequently jumped aggressively on guests, and most especially on Debbie’s father. It was immediately apparent that something needed to be done. Otherwise, an accident could happen.
Following her observation, Victoria taught Samson how to remain still. She prepared a spot for him, which was away from the entrance. It was where he would sit and remain whenever a guest arrived.
The trainer lured Samson into the right spot by offering him snacks. She then backed away gently towards the door while asking the dog to remain still. This was an attempt to determine whether or not Samson would resist the impulse to run toward the guest who was waiting behind the door.
Once Samson was able to remain within the prescribed area, Victoria requested that Debbie replicate her actions. The dog owner encountered a few obstacles during training and almost gave up. However, Victoria advised her to maintain composure and persevere. Debbie was eventually able to get Samson to sit still.
Source: It’s Me or the Dog
