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Lacy
Here is lovely Lacy's story, straight from her adoptive family.
Lacy came to us at Thanksgiving 2000.
She was 10 months old and very skittish and frightened.
She was identified as a special needs dog, and it was determined that she would need a special home with someone who had dachshund experience.
Lacy ran from everything - the telephone frightened her, the door bell frightened her, and when people came to the door Lacy ran frantically around the house in an effort to escape.
Sometimes she threw herself against windows trying to get away.
Fortunately, she bonded with us right away.
However, it took a lot of "counter conditioning" using food and gradual exposure to the things that frightened her in order to overcome her fears.
After a number of months Lacy was better about day to day things, but still frightened of things outside the home.
A trainer suggested that we enroll her in a basic obedience class. Lacy took 3 levels - beginner, intermediate and then advanced obedience.
She gained confidence around people and in some situations was able to accept attention from strangers.
At that point, the instructor recommended agility.
"What's that?" we asked. Little did we know our lives would never be the same!
We took Lacy out for a temperament test which was a requirement for the classes.
We were nervous she wouldn't pass, but since Lacy was timid, not aggressive, she was accepted.
By the end of the beginner class, our once fearful Lacy was running over the dog walk, climbing the A-frame, and leaping over 8 inch jumps!
No one could believe her progress, least of all us.
Lacy advanced through various levels of agility classes and began competing in agility trials.
The first trial was a disaster - she did one jump and then ran into a tunnel and hid.
We told the agility instructor we weren't sure it was wise to continue but the the instructor encouraged us to keep at it.
Sure enough, with patience and time, Lacy propspered and has now earned her novice jumpers title and two legs (she needs just one more) towards her open jumpers title.
She is trying to overcome her fear of the "teeter" so that she can eventually get a leg towards her novice standard title.
With all her accomplishments, we think the most important title Lacy has earned is the "Well Adjusted and Happy Dog" title, which is what we hoped for when we began all her training.
She goes everywhere with us, and is happy and friendly. No one who sees her now can believe Lacy is the same fearful dog who first came to us.
Despite all her hard work competing, Lacy is a girly-girl at heart. She has a whole wardrobe of doggie outfits and proudly wears them to various events...or just around the house.
Working with Lacy has taught us much that has helped us with other dogs, and helped us advise other people who are facing challenges with dogs.
We taught Lacy.....but in reality, Lacy taught us!
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