We are dedicated to helping pets and their families’ overcome challenges and build stronger, more harmonious relationships. One such success story is that of Roman, a 2-year-old hound mix, and his dedicated pet parent, Jayla.  

Jayla adopted Roman as a puppy in 2022. Roman showed some signs of reactivity towards other dogs, but Jayla was always able to redirect him, and he was able to ignore other dogs with enough distance. 

However, in May 2024, a traumatic incident drastically changed Roman’s behaviour. While out on a walk, a dog escaped from a backyard and attacked both Roman and Jayla. This experience left Roman on high alert, and his reactivity toward other dogs escalated dramatically. Walks, once a time of joy and exploration, became a struggle. Roman became hypervigilant, pulling excessively on the leash and barking reactively at any noise, even in the safety of his backyard. 

Recognizing that they needed help, Jayla turned to Toronto Humane Society’s Public Training & Behaviour Services, enrolling Roman in a four-session behavior modification package. She was determined to help Roman overcome his newfound fears and regain his confidence. 

The Path to Progress

During the initial consultation, Jayla and Roman met with Claire Blumenthal, CPDT-KA, FFCT, Senior Certified Trainer and Behaviour Education Associate at Toronto Humane Society. As a skilled trainer with a compassionate approach, Claire began by teaching Jayla and Roman the “name game” and a hand target, both designed to increase Roman’s focus on Jayla during walks. She also introduced the “find it” treat scatter game, a fun and effective way to interrupt reactive behaviours and help Roman recover more quickly after a reaction. 

By the second session, Jayla reported encouraging progress. Roman was responding well to the hand target and was able to be redirected away from some dogs during their walks. The “find it” game had become a favourite for Roman, helping him to recover more quickly from reactions, both on walks and in the backyard. However, leash pulling was still a significant challenge. Claire recommended switching to a front-clip harness instead of the flat collar they had been using and introduced new leash-walking techniques, including u-turns and door manners. 

The third session brought even more positive changes. The front-clip harness, combined with the new leash-walking skills, worked wonders. Roman was now walking on a loose leash for most of their outings, frequently checking in with Jayla. While the “find it” game continued to be effective, they were still facing challenges with Roman’s reactivity. Claire introduced the “engage-disengage” game, a technique designed to help Roman focus on Jayla even when other dogs were nearby. They planned to work on this technique with intentional setups in their final session. 

A Bright Future

The final session marked a significant turning point for Roman and Jayla. With the help of a decoy dog, Claire and Jayla worked through intentional setups for the “engage-disengage” game. Roman kept his focus on Jayla, even with another dog. By the end of their training, Jayla felt much more confident in managing and responding to Roman’s reactivity. Roman’s reactions greatly decreased in intensity and frequency, making walks more enjoyable for both. 

Inspired by their success, Jayla is looking forward to enrolling Toronto Humane Society’s Reactive Dog small group class to keep building on the foundation they’ve established. 

Roman and Jayla’s story is a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication, expert guidance, and a strong human-animal bond. At Toronto Humane Society, we are committed to supporting pets and their guardians through every challenge, helping them to thrive together. We’re proud of the progress that Roman and Jayla have made and excited to see where their journey takes them next. 

If you’re facing similar challenges with your pet, Toronto Humane Society’s Public Training & Behaviour Services are here to help. Whether it’s reactivity, fear, or any other beahvioural concern, our team is ready to work with you to find solutions that work for both you and your companion animal.