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Case Study: Buddy’s anxiety and defensive behaviour
When I first met Buddy he was too nervous to come near me, would bark and lunge at other dogs on walks, was impossible to take anywhere, difficult to handle at the vets, barked all the time at home and would resource guard certain toys and chews as well as his personal space.
He is very much loved by his dedicated human mum who wanted the best for him, didn’t want to change his lovely character or the relationship they shared. She has been so brave to trust me to help her and Buddy, and I’m so proud of how far they both have come.
I thank Jenny so much for sharing his story with you:
Background
Our vet referred us to a behaviourist because my five-year-old Cavapoo, Buddy, was suffering from anxiety and fear-based aggression. He was particularly difficult during vet visits – barking excessively and acting aggressively towards other animals. The vets and nurses struggled with him, and he would often try to bite as a warning. This led to him being muzzled, which only increased his stress and anxiety.
Buddy is a lockdown puppy and, due to my own health conditions, didn’t have any social contact for the first 12 weeks of his life – only seeing people through a window. He was never properly socialised, and I was too nervous to take him out on walks because he would bark and react to any animal he saw. Thankfully, he’s always been great with people and children. We tried a short stint at puppy training, but it didn’t help. Our vet described him as being in a constant state of tension and high anxiety.
At home, Buddy would charge at the front window, barking incessantly at any dog that walked by. He also developed separation anxiety- he wouldn’t stay with anyone else or go for walks with anyone other than me. Following our vet’s advice, I decided it was time to seek help from a qualified behaviourist.
Time for change
We were recommended Naomi at We Teach Pets.
As I struggle with technology, I asked if she could visit us in person – and she was more than happy to do so. Naomi listened carefully and was quickly able to suggest practical changes that could help both me and Buddy.
We started with simple but effective strategies: covering the front window to reduce his visual triggers, introducing “1-2-3” and confidence-building games using cardboard boxes, and adjusting his play-to-rest ratio to ensure he had more downtime. Within just two weeks, I noticed a real shift in his behaviour. He became noticeably calmer and more relaxed. At first, the quietness felt strange. The dynamic between us had changed, and I even found myself missing his barking! But I soon realised this was a sign of progress.
Progress milestones
Over the course of 12 sessions with Naomi, we’ve had so many breakthroughs worth celebrating.
One such milestone was being able to leave Buddy at my daughter’s new home for a short time, even though it was an unfamiliar setting – something that would have caused him great stress before.
Another big win is how much better he is when we encounter other dogs when out walking. I now actually enjoy walking him rather than being on edge the whole time. It’s now a pleasure and something I look forward to.
This journey hasn’t been easy. It’s taken a lot of consistency, practice, and patience. But both Buddy and I are far less anxious now. I feel more confident taking him out – even to cafés with other dogs around. We even completed a six-week group course with six other dogs, something I never thought possible. He’s now happy to stay at home with other people, and although we’re still working on getting him comfortable walking with someone else, we’re making steady progress.
The staff at our vet practice have all commented on the massive transformation in both Buddy and me. Vet visits are now so much calmer – he doesn’t bark at other dogs, he takes treats, and he allows examinations without aggression.
Thoughts on the process
Naomi has been supportive, non-judgemental, patient, and incredibly reassuring throughout the whole process. She was always available when things weren’t going to plan, and I needed extra guidance. Working with her has truly improved our quality of life, and I now find so much more enjoyment in my time with Buddy.
I’m very happy with how far he’s come, and I plan to continue using the skills Naomi has taught me. It’s also comforting to know that I can always reach out to her in the future if we need further support.
Would you like some support with your dog’s behaviour?
It can be tough to go it alone when you have a dog who struggles with something. If you’d like someone to go on the journey with you, provide feedback and help you to tweak your plan and keep you on track then I’d love to hear from you!
Blog by Naomi Andrews