In Izzy's own words...

• What made you decide to start working with me, and where were you at with your dog when we first began working together?

We had fallen into the delivered to door rescue trap which had become very evident from the second he arrived. It wasn't about miss matched breed to home or size or naughtiness. It was the overwhelming and very deep underlying fear and response he had/ingrained in him. I thought I knew and understood a lot Abt animals specifically dogs horses after yrs of having and working with them. He was so amazing at all things I could share with him like loose lead, recall, tricks, toilet training etc but not the reactions caused by dogs people and other animals. 

Very quickly we had shut our world down to garden as long as no one Abt and trying to hide from everything on walks.. no visitors and feeling very isolated. 

I searched the Internet for hours and watched so many videos.. all I saw was so many quick fixes and methods I just couldn't get my head round. One guy out of all of it made some sense and by watching him I reconnected with who is my dog what are his needs and am I able to fill his cup so he gets balance. I think the biggest thing was It was all on line there was no one I could relate to that I could actually talk to or they visit. Things carried on and then things got worse and he started redirecting to me biting my ankles hands and I broke. I loved this dog he was so good in so many ways but I am my family couldn't have such unpredictable behavior with our daughter. I couldn't give him back as that's a whole other story. So after tears and talks we decided what I saw as the safest thing for him and then searched further into groups to try and find peace with what I may have to do, knowing I'd be holding him and trying to make it sit right in my head. I just happened to come across Helena who just had this calm but firm values that related and also just very authentic. I joined the group and lurked for a while then posted an anonymous message, basically at my lowest .. I think the response which was just kindness and no judgement.. then from Helena a video. We spoke very soon after and gave me validation to go to the vet, I even spoke to the vet who also agreed to do the last thing I wanted to really do. I was so worried about all of it and my husband I suddenly saw wasn't quite on my page. I sent him Helena's details knowing he possibly wouldn't get it. I knew we didn't have the money to invest into such an unknown... But further talks with Helena I could see a tiny light. 

• What were some of the biggest hurdles during the process?

Trusting it could be done without having someone in front of me doing the training. 

Trusting that my husband would be able to read him and understand deeper animal behaviors.

Having major surgery right at the start.

• How did you find the support and guidance during the mentorship? 

Amazing and enough. Not pushy or unrealistic. Lead with empathy and realism. 

• Have you seen any changes in your dog’s behaviour since working together?

He's alive. It really is as simple as that. He still reacts but we understand the why.

He still get nervous but we set him up for wins and if there are not wins we come back to it another day. 

He is still him which we love. 

• What have you learned about your dog?

How to set him up for wins and growth. And that it is ok if it doesn't work it will the next time. 

• What’s been your favourite part about working together?

For me having my husband join in the Biscuit journey.. he was there before but not like he is now it has made us a very strong team for Biscuit. 

• What would you say to someone considering the mentorship but not quite sure if it’s the right time or investment?

The money scared me and could we afford it probably not but.... It is an investment not just for biscuit but for who ever else we may have in the future. And I know I can pick up the phone and be really real and Helena will always be there. We have been given life skill tools to give him the best life. So it's worth every penny. And when we need to grow we can dip back in to gain more experience. 

I think in the beginning I was stuck on why can't I just pay hourly but I get it now. 

Does this process work ... This photo is biscuit Sat with a man he has never met, about half hour after meeting him. This is my sister's husband who is scared of dogs and hasn't visited because of Biscuit. They normally sleep over for few nights at Christmas... We changed Christmas we set biscuit up to have a win .. they arrived while he was out on a walk that Trev knew to get in the things that fill his cup. He got back and shut down as soon as door opened I could see that... Muzzle on, salmon paste jolly voices and gave him space. We all had a lovely evening, moving slowly to give him time to get where he felt safe then had his tea muzzle off... All agreed not to put back on. He curled up was stroked and allowed to sniff and back away when anyone needed to get up. They listened to us which meant I was calm and Biscuit loves his uncle Barry!