Deja Loaf’s Success Story —

When we joined the RRP Deja was intimidated by all new sights and sounds. She was overwhelmed anywhere off of our dirt road. Hearing another dog had Deja feeding off their energy. We couldn’t go anywhere except for 2-3 parks or isolated hiking trails. Deja would bark, lunge, and pull towards all triggers if they were within 20 feet. Deja lived in an extreme state of fear after dark, barking at triggers we could not identify at an auditable level. 

Deja now understands and utilizing ‘LGOH’ actively with triggers. She can actively work through a visible and audible dog, not only recalling but using her safety ‘middle’ (behind me replacement). She is mostly relaxed after dark, minus specific triggers. She has learned to let her Mans (dog dad) to pull into the driveway and enter the house at a much calmer level and safely ‘go say hi’. Deja can be within 15 feet of multiple cars driving at 45+mph! She will observe while comfortable and opt out or check in when she needs to. Complete autonomy around cars! Planes flying above head no longer startle her, she may observe but she does not react.

• Deja’s pupils are less dilated size wise and frequency after dark.

• She can shift from management -> training -> play with noise triggers occurring at a loud audible level in about 15-20 minutes.

• Deja’s ears are no longer satelliting to all noises outside, they only satellite move to loud new noises, like unfamiliar birds. Deja’s ears are more relaxed when she is within 20 feet of cars.

• Her tail tip is more relaxed at a varying distance to cars. Her tail base has settled to 45 degrees around cars.

• Deja does not get heckles when she sees a dog at 20+ feet.

• Deja does the ‘hunting hop’ instead of lunging when she sees the neighbor’s dog.

• Deja can think autonomously by checking in around multiple triggers like cars, planes, and dogs. She can also begin listening to cues for short time spans.

The level of details I understand about Deja is so much deeper than before. I am so grateful Jenna taught me how to look at Deja’s body language as an individual. Hyper-attachment has always been an issue and we’re finally able to spend moments apart without it being detrimental to our relationship later. We’re closer and more understanding of each other while building independence. 

As with any new trigger and training plan, I can feel nervous and unsure when starting but I logically know I have the tools and know what I am doing which makes getting started so much easier and less overwhelming. I do not get stagnant the way I have prior to the RRP, I find breaks naturally beginning to build in and the process Jenna taught me falling into place with my personal and work like. When I am overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed, I no longer feel scared asking for help from my community and leaning into the teams rather than Jenna individually. 

Learning how to work with Deja as an individual and how to work within training ‘rules’ to best suit her needs. The BAD and Eleve-eight protocols built on my knowledge of how to work through triggers and created an amazing flow but the key aspect to both of these protocols was really encouraging us to do what was right for Deja. Learning things as small as, she likes to observe and does better when she is allowed to do so. It changed the way I thought of how to go through the trainings “correctly”. 

Similarly with GOGs [Goal-Oriented Goodbyes], it works with my life. Rather than me changing my leaving routine and continuously going back to square one, we get her used to the norm. Deja is far from being left alone but GOGs allowed me to shower alone with the door closed, without a baby gate or management. DS the shower noises, letting her look and see what was going on. Allowing her curiosity to make the situation seem less scary. The RRP worked amazing with the free shaping I allow Deja to do as a timid pup. Without knowing it, Jenna really taught me how to have these two worlds collide into an amazing experience for Deja. 

I am a broken record with how much I love the BAD [Be A Dog] training. The way BAD has changed our approach to being around triggers is life changing. BAD allows Deja to flow through multiple steps in the elevi-eight protocol when otherwise she might have stayed at step 5 of just engaging. 

I felt encouraged to do things specific to Deja. Not only listening to her body language but changing things in training protocols and changing “rules” to better work with Deja’s individual personality. The more I shaped the protocols to Deja, the quicker she built foundations. I really felt like Jenna helped us learn when and where to do that correctly. 

Jenna is exactly what I needed in a trainer. She kept me accountable to our principals and would always ask how the data proved my theories. Approaching the problems with a more objective scientific thought process has been incredible for our journey. She also never ever let me go unsupported. If I needed an answer, I got one. She is incredible at knowing your family and your dog. I have so much trust in Jenna, her ability to remember details I’ve asked to keep private vs things I’m okay with sharing is incredible. I feel lucky to have a lot in common with her as a human so I feel we really built a lifelong relationship. Hopefully my future dogs won’t have anxiety but if they did, I know exactly where I’m starting ☺  

The level of granularity you will learn about your individual dog is worth everything. The tools you gain are invaluable as well but walking away knowing your own dogs KPIs and body language will help you tackle new obstacles you will run into down the road with confidence.