Episode 20. Shy & Fearful Dogs: Brittany’s Story with Maria Montgomery, Trainer.

Episode 20. Shy & Fearful Dogs: Brittany’s Story with Maria Montgomery, Trainer.

After hearing the Shy & Fearful Dog Roundtable (Episode 17), Brittany Roger reached out to me with her own story. While Brittany was a lifelong animal lover, it wasn’t until she & her husband adopted Sam, an elderly obese chihuahua, that they learned exactly how much they didn’t know about dog behavior . . . after a trip to the emergency room.

A few years later, after starting her new job at the Maryland SPCA as a Digital Specialist, Brittany fell in love with another chihuahua, Carmelo, who she hoped would have all the good traits of her first dog, with none of the more challenging traits. Carmelo, however, had different plans in mind.

When the COVID-19 quarantine hit last year, Maryland SPCA’s Lead Trainer & Behaviorist, Maria Montgomery, was working to move the shelter’s training classes online and with Brittany’s help, was able to do just that. Brittany meanwhile was tasked with editing hours of dog training videos and was learning by osmosis exactly what she needed to help Carmelo become comfortable in his new family at his own pace.

Brittany, Maria & I discuss:

Brittany’s childhood critters;
How Maria, a reluctant puppy owner, accidentally fell into dog training and how it changed her life;
How Sam & Carmelo joined Brittany’s family and the challenges that each dog brought;
Learning how to “handle” a dog that’s sensitive to being touched;
Dealing with the “fantasy” of what we want our dogs to be versus accepting the reality of who our dogs truly are and what they need from us;
How Brittany started learning how to help Carmelo during COVID-19 through the Maryland SPCA’s online training videos and consultations;
How sometimes our dog’s challenges mirror the same challenges we experience as people – and learning to have compassion for our dogs and ourselves;
Why your dog’s growling is a good thing!;
Knowing when and how to push your dog – the right way to challenge your dog to expand their comfort zone through creating games and finding your dog’s joy;
The importance of training dogs – especially fearful dogs – in short bursts and how to include new skills into your lifestyle;
Why we should spend more time watching our dogs;
How the Maryland SPCA was able to pivot their dog training classes online during COVID-19;
The benefits of online training classes for shy and fearful dogs;
Tips for finding the right dog trainer for you and your dog; and
How you’re training your dog whether you know it or not.