This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

How the Kentlands Changed My Life

Adoptable Debbie Dog is now adopted!  After thinking back on 2013 and our many successes, I wanted to take time to write about the affects the Kentlands, and it's many wonderful stores and residents,  had on changing Debbie's life.  

Like many dogs that end up in the shelter, as a pup Debbie received no socialization or obedience training.  To make matters worse, she was high energy.  While super sweet, Debbie would over zealously jump and pounce on anyone and anything!  At 65 pounds, watch out!   While on a leash, she would lurch in all different directions at the same time.   

When I started fostering Debbie, the advice from the MCHS was to start training immediately and to use  positive reinforcement training.   Initially this meant laying low at home with lots of  chews, stuffed kongs, and toys (setting her up for success and showing her what "to do"), starting training at the Foster Dog Alliance in Rockville,  and  lots of car rides (which were calming for Debbie, thus putting her in situations where she was more likely for success and initially avoiding putting her in stressed environments) .  

In early 2013, I bought a Living Social program voucher for 1 month of the Sergeant's Program Boot Camp Classes at the Kentlands.  Little did I know the classes were early...starting at 5:50am!   Most of the program was held in the parking lot in front of the former location for Bally Total Fitness.  To help me succeed, Debbie became my early morning workout partner...getting up with me at 5:00am.  While I worked out diligently (each day improving the number of push ups and burpees I could do), Debbie slept and relaxed in the car.  After boot camp class, I became Debbie's workout partner and the start of her "Spring Training". On a winter morning, the Kentlands is calm, dark, and peaceful.  The perfect environment for Debbie.   Starting from the Bally's parking lot, at first we'd mostly walk around the block passing Tandoori Nights, and Wine Harvest along the way.  Having a lot of door ways to stop and sniff kept Debbie from yanking the leash.  I'd mostly follow at her pace, guiding as needed with cues she was very familiar with such as "turn", and "with me". 

 Might seem mundane walking the same path, with all the stores except for Starbucks closed, but over the weeks it was amazing how comfortable Debbie became.   She was less frantic and less reactive. Nice manners on the leash were becoming more of a reality.  We were able to practice some of the commands Debbie was learning at the Foster Dog Alliance and she had great concentration.  As our "Spring Training" continued into Spring Time, I started exposing her little by little to more and more opportunities to work on distractions: a stroller passing by...a trash truck...gardeners...people walking by...traffic....other dogs.  And we worked up to being able to relax on a bench in the square for more than 5 minutes.
One of our huge goals was met when Debbie was able to relax under a table at Starbucks with lots of people walking by.  I was so proud!

It's true that it's good for dogs to have socialization.  But what is really important is doing so at a dog's pace where they never feel fearful, scared, confused, or overwhelmed (and where the human isn't dragged down the street by leash!).

One reason I'm writing this article is because I know there are a lot of timid, fearful, or reactive dogs out there.  I'm convinced if unruly reactive Debbie Dog can be trained, any dog can!   I'm thankful to have Your Dog's Friend in Rockville (the sponsoring organization of the Foster Dog Alliance) to "train" me!  Both clicker training and positive reinforcement training were new to me.  I'm now a firm believer!  I would also like to stress the importance of puppies getting proper socialization and obedience training (it's fun!) and for older dogs to have fun with training too.

This article only scratches the surface of all the store owners and residents I came in contact with.  Thanks for maintaining distance as needed, all the great conversation, and all the support.  (After her months of training) I'd also like to thank  those who took time to greet Debbie with her calm greeting protocol (Debbie laid down and received click-treats for staying calm while greeters slowly approached).

Thanks Kentlands!


We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?