Meet Stephanie and her dog Drake! You may remember Drake from our many posts to find him a forever home. We believed in Drake but realized that finding the right match would be tough. But hey, that’s what we’re all about! 

After receiving a promising application, I called Stephanie and her husband, Scott. I explained Drake’s complicated past, multiple homes, three name changes, lengthy kennel stay, bite history, foster home, various training methods, and more. As the words came out, I thought for sure this would be too much. 

I’ll never forget Stephanie’s response. She said she was a very patient person and thought all dogs are individuals who deserve respect. She understood how Drake would need a long adjustment period and was genuinely interested in taking on this project dog. I asked her to sleep on it. Well, I think she simply took a nap, but the next day she wrote to say they wanted to meet Drake and within days the family welcomed him into their southeastern Connecticut home. 

I suspect Stephanie has asked herself many times what she’d gotten herself into! It was tough going at first, especially for their small, sweet senior lady Pippy who is still nervous around the boisterous, big boy interloper with the long legs. And Drake was not about to win any leash-walking awards either. He loses himself when over-excited. His reaction to triggers can be intense so he requires constant vigilance. How do you stay calm and confident with difficult behavior like this? It’s a tricky balancing act, but one that’s necessary for success. 

As a responsible adopter, Stephanie sought advice from the start and tried to navigate all the well-intentioned advice from me, the foster dad, an ARK volunteer trainer, literature, and lessons from his past. But owner-dog relationships are unique and Drake and Stephanie had to discover what was best for them as a team. So we brought in the big guns with ARK friend and trainer Chris (https://www.maynarddogtraining.com/) for a home visit and training session to help make such a relationship a reality. The meeting was a game changer.

Ironically, some months prior when Drake was marking time in a boarding facility, Chris met Drake. He reported that Drake was a good dog who was misunderstood and failed by the people in his life. (Chris volunteered to work with Drake at that time, but sadly the group overseeing Drake had a different view.) Drake’s elated response to seeing Chris again gave Stephanie proof that a happy, loving dog resided underneath that nervous unsettled shell. Stephanie saw him in a whole new light. 

With a behavior modification plan, homework, and renewed confidence, Stephanie and her supportive family worked with Drake which they continue to do every day. Drake is thriving with a structured, consistent schedule and lots of positive reinforcement. He is still a work in progress but things are steadily improving. Drake is happy and healthy. He loves playing and going outdoors, and he also enjoys his ‘me time’ in his crate to rest and unwind. 

Stephanie recently reminded me that she is still patient and taking things one day at a time. Drake hit the rescue jackpot, which is our wish for all homeless, misunderstood dogs. We can’t thank Stephanie and her family enough for loving Drake for who he is and for working with him to overcome his issues instead of against him. 

by Diane Swift