Reality Dog Training
Moira
Moira was a young, SUPER high energy, rescue German Shepherd looking for a home. I had two weeks to work with her, and pulling, jumping, mouthing and big reactions to other dogs and a history of catching and killing wildlife were all part of the picture.
Watch the trailer
Opens on YouTube from the beginning, with the episodes together in order. Browse all episodes.
Two weeks with Moira
This series begins with our first 24 hours together. Before asking for polished behavior, I had to find ways to get Moira’s attention and build communication with a strong, energetic dog in a new situation.
As we start going out, other dogs become a major challenge. You’ll see Moira barking and lunging, and the changes I make to our training as a result. This series is great for illustrating the difference between practicing a skill at home and trying it somewhere much harder.
This is a very useful series if your dog’s excitement or reactions make everyday outings feel overwhelming, and you want to see the work unfold beyond one short demonstration.
A few moments from the series
For your own dog, choose distances and situations where they can stay safe and learn.
One of the things I learned about Moira was that she tended to do a CRAZY helicopter spin of excitement when she saw something she was interested in. Sometimes that helicopter spin included barking, jumping, squealing, and some very unique noises and acrobatic moves that I think may be new discoveries for the entire dog species 😆😅
In the real world, sometimes things that are out of your control can take you by surprise. In those moments, you can fall back on management and retreat to a distance where your dog is more comfortable. Here is the original post about Moira. And remember: your dog does not need to impress strangers.
Explore the other series · Find help with a specific behavior