By the time I adopted Rudy he had been through a lot. He was found on the streets of Colorado Springs starved, matted and neglected. After a short stay at the Colorado Springs Humane Society Rudy was adopted by a college fraternity president who took him to live in an infamous “party house” with six other fraternity brothers. While there, Rudy was constantly subjected to large groups of rowdy college students. He grew increasing fearful of people so much so that on one occasion after being approached by a stranger, he ran away and was struck by a car. Rudy’s behavior became more and more fearful and unpredictable and after biting an intoxicated college student at a party, Rudy’s owner asked me to take him. I hesitantly took Rudy in, thinking a change in environment would change his behavior. Unfortunately, Rudy’s fearful aggression continued. He was frightened of everything and whenever he became scared he would bark, growl and snap at people. I never knew what was going to set him off or how severe his reaction would be. After he snapped at a little girl I had no idea what to do. I had a dog that I loved so much but couldn’t control and couldn’t help. I found Kari’s number and called her in tears, not knowing if there was anything I could do to keep and help my dog.

From the moment I spoke to Kari I felt hope again. She met with Rudy and I for private sessions and began to retrain Rudy (and I) to help him feel safe and secure. We worked for months to un-do the damage that had been done and to teach Rudy appropriate ways to respond to fearful situations. Little by little Rudy began to come out of his frightened shell and trust the humans around him. I learned techniques to make him feel safe when he met new people and how to respond effectively to his behaviors. Following our one-on-one sessions I enrolled Rudy in an obedience class with Kari and by the end of it, the changes were becoming dramatic. Rudy had confidence and was able to encounter new people and unfamiliar situations and respond appropriately. I also began to feel less fearful and worried as Rudy’s behavior became less unpredictable. Now, a year later (and with a second obedience class under our belt) Rudy is a changed dog. He is happy, confident, friendly and trusting. Strangers approach him on the street and he will gladly let them pet him. He easily lets new people into our home and in almost every situation he is calm and relaxed. I am so relieved and proud to see how far he has come and incredibly grateful to Kari for helping show me a way to keep Rudy in my life.