My personal experience: Ero Merkati Positive dog trainer
Leon, is a german shepard, who at age 3 ½ months,experienced a very traumatic encounter. While walking with kim his mother/owner, on a leash, leon was attacked by a very big and aggressive dog. Thankfully, a good samaritan’s quick thinking saved leon’s life. However, poor leon was left with a lot of fear that turned into aggression. For example, every time kim took leon for a walk on a leash, and, another dog would go by, leon would go crazy. And kim could not control him. To top it off leon could not bare to go thru his apartment’s main entrance. Kim could not take leon’s aggression anymore, the uncontrollable barking and behavior not only upset kim and her 2 small children, but, also disturbed everyone in the their apartment building.
The next time i went to visit leon and kim, we used treats and as we left the apartment to go on the elevator, i started giving leon treats along with positive words in a very calm way. In order to take his mind of his usual feelings he was accustomed to experiencing. This seemed to work for leon. On our walk every time we saw a dog on a leash from far away, i would start giving him treats along with kind positive words, in a calm voice. This seemed to also work for leon. on the way into the apartment building, i noticed a floor length mirror. So every time leon would see his reflection he would think it was another dog. I decided to keep him in the front entrance, i sat on the first step of the stairs. i continued to give him treats , along with talking calmly and positively. I started to stroke leon from head to tail in a very gentle manner, along with rubbing his chest and stomach area. Leon reacted by lying down and relaxing in the area that used to really upset him. I continued to visit leon everyday, and followed the same routine for a period of 10 days. by this time leon over came his fear of the mirror, the elevator, and building in general. Regarding his aggression with other dogs on leashes, i brought my own dog/helper “frosty”. Frosty is a very calm and friendly dog. We started out slowly by walking past leon on a leash with kim approximately 30 ft. away. While all the time kim was feeding leon treats. Frosty and i would get closer and closer walking by leon and kim everyday. Then it happened, one particular session frosty and i met at leon’s and kim’s house and all four of us went for a long walk, all the while leon receiving treats and positive reinforcement. Since this time leon has been nothing but a loving non aggressive dog and kim is not stressed out anymore regarding leon.