When All Hope Feels Lost: The Power of These 3 Games for Challenging Dogs ft. Alice Hildred

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What do you do when your massive mastiff mix - described as "half grizzly bear, half donkey" - turns into a reactive nightmare? For Alice, the journey with Bonnie began with serious doubts about whether she could provide a forever home for such a challenging dog.

Most small reactive dogs get labeled "cute" despite their behaviour. But for Bonnie, a large brindle mix with impressive strength, her reactive episodes weren't just embarrassing - they triggered public concern about dangerous dogs. Alice needed solutions that worked in real-world situations, not just controlled environments.

The transformation came through three key concepts: calmness, disengagement, and optimism. Alice shares the three specific games from Absolute Dogs' Games Club that fundamentally changed her relationship with Bonnie and Bonnie's relationship with the world. 

Figure of Eight created meditative, smooth movement patterns that calmed Bonnie's jerky anxiety.

Orientation Game provided crucial "pulse checks" before off-lead adventures, allowing Alice to assess Bonnie's mental state in any environment. 

Finally, Disengagement Pattern and Rewind gave both dog and owner muscle memory for redirecting attention away from triggers.

Perhaps most powerful is Alice's candid admission that these games didn't just modify behaviour - they saved Bonnie's home. "There was probably several months where Chris and I sort of felt like, can we do this? Can we maintain a forever home for Bonnie?" 

Today, Alice speaks with confidence about advocating for her dog and creating an environment where both can thrive. Their relationship has transformed from struggle to partnership, proving that even the most challenging dogs can become calm companions with the right approach.

Want to experience a similar transformation with your dog? Visit the Absolute Dog Store to discover these games and more training solutions that could change everything for you and your dog.

Jump into Games Club
https://absolutedogs.me/jointheclub 

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