Cisco

Cisco’s Story (from Amanda)

Cisco is a Pug/Dachshund mix who’s first adoption came to an abrupt halt when he started going after family members, friends, and family cats. He belonged to the girl who was my roomate at the time, and had come from a dog hoarding situation. I had watched while, though slightly problematic, he went from a normal puppy to lashing out at everything that moved. Not only that, he was incredibly fearful of men’s work boots, brooms, vacumns and bodies of water. One day he attacked a family cat so severly that his family were scared of him and were going to take him to a shelter. Knowing that if he was taken to the shelter, he would be put down for behavioral issues, I said that I would take him.

Cisco has many redeeming qualities. If he likes you( and there are few that can claim this), you are his person. With his people he is a cute, playful family dog. If somebody tries to hurt one of his people, he is also very protective.

Unfortunately, perfect he was not. He would bark and lash out at all people (with the exception of 7), especially at men. He also had similar reactionsto other dogs, cats, and other animals. This made it impossible to have people over as he would bark incessantly from his kennel while people were there, and when they left he would burst from his kennel aiming to attack anything in sight. Anytime anybody would hug me, even if they were one of his chosen few, he would attack them.

The first time Lissa met Cisco, he was in top form, barking and lashing out. Instead of marking him as a problem child that could not be redeemed, she told me that we could definitely correct his behaviors, and that he would make a good Agility Dog after that. I was almost brought to tears! In my wildest dreams my only hope was to be able to take him on walks and into social situations, and have him tolerate his surroundings without the fear and anger he was known for. Here I was being told that we could do so much more! As of this writing we still have many more steps to take, but have already come so far that it amazes me. For the first time in a long time, I look forward to the future with my little man.

The Trainer’s Notes (From Lissa)

The best part about working with Amanda and Cisco is that she is really working with her dog! We have worked together three times and the progress is amazing…including a nice hike in Howarth Park this week. There is a lot to sort out with Cisco…including what is fear and what is not..it will take time. But I am optimistic about our results!

Update January 2018:

Cisco has been though two Beginning Obedience Classes, earning his Canine Good Citizen on his second time through. He has also earned his Novice Trick Dog title!

Here is the note I received from Amanda on January 1st of this year:

So, apparently Cisco has decided to be a new dog for 2018.

We have met 3 new people in new places in the past 2 days and Cisco was a
perfect gentleman. He even accepted light pets from strangers to him, as
well as treats, and his posture and tail remained happy and not anxious. We
even went to the beach this afternoon and……it was like taking a normal
dog to the beach. Zero issues. We ran around in the dry and wet sand,
climbed on a couple smooth wet and dry rocks, walked by strangers and
strange dogs……he keeps surprising the heck out of me!

He is currently enrolled on his first session of Beginning Agility and is thoroughly enjoying it!