Annie – Lexi

I have a now-3 year old Staffie X who was a pound puppy. I brought Lexie home when she was around one, and she is the most gentle, loving dog. BUT as I’ve discovered, like a lot of rescue animals, Lexie has issues including anxiety and behavioural (separation anxiety, how to play with other dogs without getting over excited, etc. or escaping the section and running away with no hope of listening or coming to a call or for treats, or pulling on the lead if she saw something she wanted to chase to the extent of pulling people over).

The reason that I’m starting with this is so that I’ve got a measure of how far Lexie and I have come with Darran’s help. Before we met Darran, Lexie had always been to doggie day care to socialise. We went to basic obedience classes and we had another dog trainer/behavioural specialist come to our home to work with us about Lexie’s escapism as that is a major issue – apparently, ‘some dogs are just like that!’

Darran was our last hope to help Lexie become the calm, well-behaved and happy dog she is at home when she’s in other settings.

With Darran’s training, and he trained me more than Lexie, I now understand what sort of player she is – and why it’s important to provide her with the right play. Darran has taught me about leads and I’ve now changed Lexie’s lead and how we walk, and it’s amazing! Very little pulling, and it’s a delight to take her out now rather than a struggle. I know how to help her through her anxiety and she’s become so much calmer and more chilled out, and I’m learning to have faith and trust in her. Because of this we’re building a deeper bond that is less about dependency and more about enjoying each other’s company.

I was sceptical, I suppose, about mindfulness with dogs, but Lexie is proof that it works, and I can’t praise Darran and his methods enough. And to the lady who told me to get a shock collar – try it yourself, woman, and see if you’d sooner be hurt onto obedience or build a relationship based on trust that works better!

Darran, never underestimate how much your working with Lexie and I has changed our life together. I’m now the proud dog owner who preens when people tell me how good she is, and I know that as we practice we will get better and better