The Grateful Dog: Dog Training in Connecticut

Dillon
As a young puppy, Dillon appeared to be a beautiful show dog prospect. But when the leash and collar went on for his on-leash training regimen by his breeders, but , his robust and friendly demeanor immediately changed for the worse. He dropped to the ground screeching and carrying on - the more you tugged at the leash, the more he dug in and resisted. When he was finally unhooked him from his leash, he scurried into the flower garden and refused to come out. It looked like Dillon would never make it to the show ring - a very frustrating situation for such a beautiful puppy. Mary Ellen quickly got his attention by appealing to him on his own level and made it fun for him. Soon, little Dillon soon took his first steps on leash and began to regain his confidence.

Since that time, Dillon has done some very respectable winning, including a prestigious placement in a huge puppy class at the Collie Club of America National Specialty Show! Typically, this annual show draws several thousand Collies from all over the country. Dillon also garnered 5 "Major Reserve" wins at various regional Collie Club Specialty shows which often draw nearly 100 entries per show. (For those unfamiliar with dog shows, a Major Reserve win essentially means that Dillon was the 2nd best male dog in the entire show.)

And most recently, Dillon became a Collie Champion!! He is now being campaigned as a Champion and has already won several Best of Breeds. Dillon's ring behavior and attitude have been praised by the professional dog handlers that show and continue to win with him - a far cry from low crawling and hiding in the flower garden!

Breezy
Breezy's story is a wonderful testament to Mary Ellen's faith, love, compassion, and connection with dogs. Breezy was a 3 year old kennel dog who was living with a pack of other Labradors. She could not be integrated into the pack and was constantly being attacked by the others causing her to become very fearful. She acquired a sort of canine "obsessive compulsive disorder" and began chewing and scratching at herself causing bleeding and skin welts which eventually healed into leathery masses. Her disposition was such that she couldn't be used as a show dog, nor could she become someone's pet, leaving the original owner very few options as to the future of this beautiful dog. Mary Ellen decided to take Breezy into her own home to rehabilitate her physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Breezy was extremely fearful of everyone and her surroundings; she hung her head down as she walked around the house and refused to make eye contact with anyone. The first order of business was to get her physically well. Mary Ellen took her to the Vet's to help heal her, and then put Breezy on an exercise regimen of running and swimming. Breezy became Mary Ellen's constant companion day and night. Slowly but surely through her training techniques, Mary Ellen helped Breezy regain her confidence. Within a few months Breezy was like a new dog both physically and mentally. No longer fearful; she became a regular member of the family.

A beautiful specimen of a Labrador, Mary Ellen decided to enter her in a Labrador Specialty Dog Show in Albequerque, New Mexico. For those unfamiliar with a Labrador Specialty Show, this is a dog show comprised only of Labs who are judged on the merits of their looks, movement, and conformation to the breed standard established by the American Kennel Club. It is not uncommon for these shows to draw several hundred entries. Mary Ellen entered Breezy in the large "American Bred Class" and Breezy won the class hands down!! Mary Ellen began breeding Breezy and produced 3 Champions from her litters. In fact, one of Breezy's sons, Calvin, became a stud dog for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Just stop a minute to think about this: here was a dog that just 6 months earlier was not only a physical mess, but lived in a constant state of fear. With a new-found sparkle in her eyes, Breezy was now flying on planes, standing confidently in the show ring and winning, and producing a wonderful legacy of champion offspring and service dogs for the blind! All due to Mary Ellen's expertise, caring, and determination to turn around an extremely negative situation into an extremely positive one.