Testimonial - Nathalie and Nellie
Nathalie and her rescue dog Nellie, joined my coaching program to address Nellie’s severe reactivity towards dogs on walks! This is their story!
“We were experiencing reactivity (towards other dogs) along with general adolescent dog behaviour. I knew we needed help when our world had become so small & Nellie’s struggles had become all consuming. We were going out in the dark for our walks! When we did venture out in daylight, it was so stressful.
Amelia met us exactly where we were at & the daily WhatsApp support meant that we had constant guidance & could address new issues or new behaviours as soon as they arose. It also meant we could celebrate daily wins which really helped to keep me motivated. We were also able to share videos & get specific, highly individual advice on everything.
The most impactful part of the program for us was the fact it wasn’t a one size fits all approach & how it literally feels like Amelia is with us every step of the way… supporting not just Nellie, but me too! I felt 100% personally supported… Amelia has this gift of knowing exactly what both myself & Nellie needed in any given moment. There was never any judgement & always so much wisdom which was always shared in such a clear & accessible way. I felt very seen & heard by Amelia. She supported us fully through our struggles & celebrated our wins, no matter how small.
Since starting the changes have been huge! Nellie is so much more confident, happier & chilled out. She can now frequently self regulate & make good choices around other dogs. In fact, Nellie even has some doggy chums & a toy boy too!
My initial goal was for Nellie to be able to be neutral around dogs… but I never imagined she’d actually want to interact in a fun & playful way with some chosen pooches! I will never forget the first time I saw Nellie play with her first doggy pal. I had tears of joy rolling down my face!
Our lives look & feel completely different now. We now go out for a walk at any time of day & we can go wherever we choose. Prior to the coaching program, if we dared go out in daylight, we would go to empty car parks on a Sunday or literally go round & round in circles on the front lawn! I also feel so much more confident in my own abilities & I trust that I can & will advocate for Nellie in any situation. I can now watch Nellie to understand how she’s coping in each scenario, rather than constantly scanning the area for other dogs. Our bond has grown even stronger & Nellie looks to me now for her reassurance. We have even gone on a short holiday to the seaside & most recently we even visited a cafe! Our world is getting bigger each day & it feels absolutely wonderful.
Nellie & I were always very close & had a strong bond, but I didn’t trust her. Now I trust her & can share her with the world! I feel we are a real team at last.”
