Monday, I’m working on my eighth straight Dog Support case (I have two open slots this coming week). I’m taking the day off tomorrow to get my garden beds set for next year.

My next case is challenging.

Amy, a sweet but very frightened Great Dane (not her real name), was rescued from a western shelter three hours before she was scheduled to be euthanized.

She is not aggressive to people or dogs; she is just terrified of people; her humans are experienced, wise, humane, and stumped.

“I rescue often and have had frightened dogs before, though not like this,” said Patricia (not her real name either).

The list of things Patricia has tried is impressive. She’s doing everything she knows and has been told to do, but she can’t ease the dog’s great fear so far.

The dog is so timid Patricia is afraid to bring her into the house for fear she may climb between a table and a lamp, possibly hurting herself if a person appears.

I feel for the dog and her owners; there is a lot of stress and worry.

Patricia says that the dog was emaciated when she came to her and freezes or runs whenever she sees a person. She panics when she sees any stranger.

I have a lot of questions to ask.

This is a good  Support issue; I’ve considered it and am researching it. I  think of myself as a common sense dog person willing to think outside the box and has had many successes with creative and even strange ideas.

I’m also human, making many mistakes and freely admitting them.

This dog sounds like a potentially great dog; the challenge is to figure out how to handle her trauma and move forward to her potential. It’s a great breed.

I’ll write about conversations on Monday or  Tuesday, and I plan to share these cases on my blog, having thoroughly disgusted the names, locations, and identities of the people I’m working with.

C, an earlier client, messaged me today. It was my first read feedback, and I’m proud and happy about it:

“Awesome idea about peppering the road with treats (to get a hyper dog to walk around people and in the daylight)…a bit of Hansel and Gretel leaving breadcrumbs along the trail…I know this will work well! We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you (a Zoom call). It was motivating and helped us realize that focusing on the “whole” dog’s needs, feelings, and triggers is important. Thank you for your “natural” way of caring for animals and your willingness to share with others. P.S, “We initiated your calming technique outdoors, and it worked beautifully!”

I also enjoyed the conversation; C and her husband are committed to their dogs and serious about giving them the best possible lives.

I love the notion that I am helping them do it; this is what Dog Support is all about for me. When I think about Dog Support, I think about the day someone messages me and tells me their problem is solved and the dog is thriving.

I know that can’t happen all the time, but I hope it happens most of the time.

I have no miracles or magic fixes in my pocket, but I feel I’m helping dogs positively. It’s good for me too. I don’t pay much attention to the experts’ books and videos.

Dog Support is just what it says – support for dogs from me, using my research, books, and experience as a foundation.

If you have a problem with your dog and you need help, I’ll do my best to help:

E-mail me: at [email protected], and we’ll take it from there.

I charge $50 for a half hour and accept payments via Paypal, Venmo, and checks. I can meet people on Zoom, the phone, or Facetime.