Hessie’s family went on a cruise to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary. While they were away, their one-and-a-half-year-old cavapoo stayed with us at Off Leash K9 Training Charlottesville. They planned to focus on the trip. Instead, they found themselves waiting for evening to come, because that is when Hessie’s report card arrived.
You can read Hessie’s full review on Google – it is one of the most detailed reviews we have received.
Where Hessie Started
Hessie’s family had a clear goal. They wanted to walk with her off leash without her getting distracted and running off whenever other people or dogs were around, which was her natural impulse. They did not think they would ever see the day.
The Training Journey
Hessie stayed with our trainer Lauren for board and train while her family was on their 12-day cruise. Every day her family received a report card: a few photos, a few videos from the public places Lauren took her to be around people and other dogs, and a written report on the day’s work.
Hessie worked on come, sit, down, heel, and off. Her favorite, her family suspects, was “break,” which told her the exercise was over and she was free to do as she pleased. Her family noticed how Lauren motivated her with treats, praise, belly rubs, and real enthusiasm for a job well done.
Hessie’s Wins
By the end of training, Hessie could do the very thing her family had hoped for: walk with them off leash without bolting toward every person or dog she saw. “We never thought we would see the day that she would behave like this,” they wrote.
What It Changed for Her Family
Her family came home looking forward to enjoying Hessie in ways they could not before. They are also realistic: they plan to follow through and keep building the skills Lauren started. That is exactly the right plan.
Why Hessie’s Story Matters
Off-leash training is not only for big dogs. A small dog who runs off is in just as much danger as a large one. Hessie’s story shows that a little dog can learn the same reliable commands, and that she can enjoy learning them. That is the kind of result we work toward at Off Leash K9 Training Charlottesville.
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