For nearly 20 years, DVGRR has been my home, and for the past 16, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with some of our most vulnerable dogs—those that arrive fearful, shut down, anxious, or unsure of the world around them. Helping these dogs learn to trust again has always been deeply meaningful work.
I’ve had much success working with dogs with behavioral challenges and placing them into wonderful adopters’ homes. I have taken many courses, seminars, performed extensive research, read books, explored trial and error, and worked hard to complete Pat Miller’s intense Canine Behavior & Training Academy scoring a 96%. I taught classes to the public and other shelters and rescues on behavior issues including From Hutch to Home at DVGRR and at the HSUS 2019 Animal Care Expo in New Orleans, LA. I helped write DVGRR’s booklet to guide adopters, Continuing the Journey. I won the Starfish award from the GRCA and received a plaque of recognition from Mayor Ed Rendell for my efforts to rehabilitate former puppy mill breeder dogs with DVGRR’s Project Home Life program.
Yet despite all my training, experience and knowledge, the behaviors I see every day can start to feel “normal,” and sometimes I get very discouraged. I find myself, as the Manager of the Sanctuary, wondering, “What can I do better for this dog?” That’s when I realized it was time for a fresh perspective.
After hearing glowing feedback from one of DVGRR’s adopters who hired a dog trainer named Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) from Pups Unleashed (based out of Lancaster County, www.PupsUnleashed.com), I talked with John and Inza. We decided to bring her in to see what our staff might learn. Over the past two months, she has been nothing short of incredible. Her energy, insight, and practical approach have reinvigorated not only our training strategies but our entire team.
Arie has a remarkable ability to meet each dog exactly where they are. In a sanctuary setting where progress can be slow and setbacks are part of the journey, her guidance has helped our staff push through plateaus and see forward movement again.
Our Sanctuary staff is already seeing meaningful changes with the dogs that reside there!
- Maryanne is learning to relax, sit, and find calm in situations that once overwhelmed her.
- Yeti is making strides with fence and barrier barking and building confidence around men and other strangers.
- Daisy and Grace are benefiting from focused bonding time.
- Melody is working to acclimate to walking on a leash
Perhaps most importantly, Arie has helped our staff feel inspired again and reminds us that even the smallest steps forward are worth celebrating.
Arie typically spends 90 minutes at the Sanctuary each visit and generously offers a discounted rate. As this is her profession, it’s important that we support her work just as we would any skilled contractor.
You can help continue this life-changing training. We are seeking sponsors for training sessions at $100 per session. If you’d like to support this program and help our Sanctuary dogs continue making progress, please contact Karen at karen@dvgrr.org. Together, we can keep moving forward one small victory at a time!
And be sure to check out our Facebook Lives at the Sanctuary every Friday. We call it “Fear-Free Fridays,” and I will show the rehabilitation techniques we are doing with our special dogs.