From Sedation to Stability with Vicar the German Shepherd

They say you can't teach old dogs new tricks. At A Peaceful Pack, we've proven that theory wrong time and time again. Our team has worked with countless older dogs to help address and transform lifelong behavioral issues. 

Take Vicar, an older German Shepherd with a long history of anxiety and aggression. His owners were an elderly couple who loved him deeply but struggled to manage his behavior. They came to us in the hope of addressing Vicar’s reactive behavior so they could all live a normal life.

The Before: Chaos and Sedation

Vicar’s anxiety and aggressiveness caused several behavioral issues that made life difficult for their owners. He was highly reactive on walks, often lunging and barking at people and other dogs. At home, he was territorial, constantly barking and rushing at any guest at the door. Trips to the vet or the groomers were a nightmare as he had to be sedated just to be treated or bathed. 

To make things worse, Vicar had previous dog training that used improper techniques, causing him to severely react and become defensive when exposed to muzzles and other dog training tools. As a result, the owners constantly felt trapped in their home, unable to leave town or trust anyone to care for him. 

The Training: Encouraging Calmness

Because of Vicar’s severe reaction to dog training equipment, the initial sessions involved desensitizing him to get him used to them. Our first step was to show him that biting would no longer “work” by using a sleeve that he would bite until exhausted. Gradually, we had to re-teach Vicar that the muzzle was a positive training tool, first by feeding him through it, then playing with it nearby to encourage calm behavior.

Once we got Vicar used to being near and wearing the muzzle, we could start the real training. This included using collars and play-based rewards to encourage calmness and expected behaviors. We helped build up his tolerance to nail trimming, brushing, and touch. Our team even partnered with Vicar’s vet to conduct mock procedures, simulating real vet visits and reinforcing calm behavior through consistency and positive reinforcement.

The After: A Normal Life

The difference in Vicar’s behavior between when he first came to our training program and when he left is night and day. Nail trims and baths became routine for him instead of traumatic experiences. He didn’t have to be sedated to get treated at the vet anymore. Walks were calm and controlled, and the owners could finally have guests over to the home without fear of barking or biting. 

Vicar’s owners could finally live a normal life, able to travel and enjoy the companionship of a well-behaved dog. To this day, Vicar is happy, confident, and thriving, living peacefully with his family.  

It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Dog’s Story

With A Peaceful Pack, we can help you bring peace back into your everyday life. Whether you have a new puppy you want to build a good foundation with, or you have an older dog like Vicar with a history of anxiety and aggression, our team can work with it all. Get started by scheduling a free consultation call with our team today.

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