My Dogs – My Greatest Teachers
My work is shaped not only by knowledge, but above all by personal experience. I live with two rescue dogs who have
taught me a great deal, challenged me, and fundamentally changed the way I see dogs and their behavior.
Ben
(born 2013, Mali–Terrier mix, rescue dog)
Ben came to me with a very strong prey drive and a
high level of inner tension. For a long time,
movement triggers were almost impossible for him
to handle – a cracking branch, a bicycle, or a fleeing
deer could completely overwhelm him. Encounters
with other dogs, especially male dogs, were also
very challenging for him.
Ben is a very people-oriented dog and loves human
contact, which is still highly exciting for him today.
Today, Ben can watch a fleeing deer, turn away on
his own, and settle back into calm. Bicycles are no
longer an issue, encounters are mostly relaxed, and
outdoors he now moves much more calmly and at
ease.
Cookie
(born 2016, herding-dog mix, rescue dog)
Cookie came to me very insecure, with a strong fear
of people and little trust in her environment. Many
situations were difficult for her to handle, especially
unfamiliar people and unpredictable stimuli. She
often appeared tense, withdrew, and needed a great
deal of support to orient herself at all.
Cookie needed — and still needs — reliable routines,
clear structure, and above all a sense of safety.
Patience, understanding, and a protected
framework were essential for her to build trust step
by step.
Over time, Cookie was able to grow more stable.
Today — apart from a few situations — she is much
more secure, braver, and freer in her daily life. She
can process stimuli more easily, settles more
quickly, and moves through her world with greater
ease.