When All Hope Feels Lost: The Power of These 3 Games for Challenging Dogs ft. Alice Hildred

Send us a text What do you do when your massive mastiff mix - described as "half grizzly bear, half donkey" - turns into a reactive nightmare? For Alice, the journey with Bonnie began with serious doubts about whether she could provide a forever home for such a challenging dog. Most small reactive dogs get labeled "cute" despite their behaviour. But for Bonnie, a large brindle mix with impressive strength, her reactive episodes weren't just embarrassing - they triggered public concern about dangerous dogs. Alice needed solutions that worked in real-world situations, not just controlled environments. The transformation came through three key concepts: calmness, disengagement, and optimism. Alice shares the three specific games from Absolute Dogs' Games Club that fundamentally changed her relationship with Bonnie and Bonnie's relationship with the world. Figure of Eight created meditative, smooth movement patterns that calmed Bonnie's jerky anxiety. Orientation Game provided crucial "pulse checks" before off-lead adventures, allowing Alice to assess Bonnie's mental state in any environment. Finally, Disengagement Pattern and Rewind gave both dog and owner muscle memory for redirecting attention away from triggers. Perhaps most powerful is Alice's candid admission that these games didn't just modify behaviour - they saved Bonnie's home. "There was probably several months where Chris and I sort of felt like, can we do this? Can we maintain a forever home for Bonnie?" Today, Alice speaks with confidence about advocating for her dog and creating an environment where both can thrive. Their relationship has transformed from struggle to partnership, proving that even the most challenging dogs can become calm companions with the right approach. Want to experience a similar transformation with your dog? Visit the Absolute Dog Store to discover these games and more training solutions that could change everything for you and your dog. Jump into Games Club https://absolutedogs.me/jointheclub Support the show If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27! Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club ! https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club! https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!