Rottweiler Bite Attack During Training | Full Episode | It's Me or The Dog

Victoria Stillwell, a professional dog trainer with 14 years of experience, is featured in a special episode focusing on the crucial early training of puppies. She meets two families with distinct puppy issues. The first family, Elise and John, struggle with their energetic five-month-old rescue, Raven, who exhibits both playful and aggressive behaviors. The second family, the Thielins, are new to puppy ownership and seek guidance on choosing and raising the perfect family pet. Victoria emphasizes the importance of early training to prevent behavioral issues and takes a hands-on approach to understand and correct the problems.

Victoria observes Raven's behavior in Elise and John's home, noting the puppy's nipping, biting, and jumping. She identifies that Raven spends an excessive amount of time in her crate as a form of punishment, which is not conducive to positive behavior. Victoria suggests using the crate as a positive space and not as a timeout. She also addresses the issue of house training and the importance of taking Raven out more frequently. Victoria highlights the need for discipline and guidance in play to prevent encouraging aggressive behaviors and secures a commitment from John to be more involved in the puppy's upbringing.

Victoria identifies Raven's anger when being put back on the leash and her subsequent biting as a serious issue. To correct this, she implements a training routine where Raven is called back, sits, and is rewarded before the leash is applied. This process aims to transform Raven's negative association with the leash into a positive one. Victoria also provides a new, larger crate for Raven to make the space more comfortable and free of punishment-related negative memories. She instructs the family to keep the crate door open, allowing Raven to enter and exit freely, and to use treats to encourage her to use the crate willingly.

Victoria meets with the Thielen family, who are excited about getting their first puppy but lack experience in dog ownership. She discusses the importance of choosing a puppy that fits their lifestyle and family dynamics. The family, consisting of three children and their parents, express their preferences for a medium-sized, non-yappy, and manageable family dog. Victoria emphasizes that getting a puppy is a significant responsibility and that the entire family must be prepared to contribute to the puppy's care and training.

The Thielen family, guided by Victoria, visits a rescue shelter to find a suitable puppy. They are looking for a medium-sized dog that will grow no bigger than their youngest children. At the shelter, they are drawn to beagle-basset hound mixes, which are deemed a good fit for their criteria. Two puppies, Snowboard and Whistler, catch their attention. After interacting with both, the family decides on Whistler, appreciating her sociable nature and softer mouth.

After selecting Whistler, the family finalizes the adoption process. They brainstorm names and settle on 'Lollipop'. Victoria helps set up a safe and comfortable space for Lollipop in their home, including a temporary pen and a crate for house training. She instructs the family on the importance of supervision and the need to keep an eye on Lollipop at all times to prevent accidents and ensure her safety. The family is also reminded of the necessity of cleaning up after Lollipop and the importance of positive reinforcement in training.

Victoria follows up with both families to assess their progress with the puppies. She finds that Elise and John have made significant strides in training Raven, who is now calmer and less prone to mouthing. Meanwhile, the Thielen family is adjusting to Lollipop's energy and neediness but is committed to her training. Victoria organizes a training session at a dog training facility, where both families learn about socialization and basic commands. The session includes an introduction to another puppy, Dolly, for Lollipop, and a basic obedience training for Raven. Victoria emphasizes that socialization and consistent training are key to raising well-mannered dogs.

The episode concludes with Victoria reflecting on the training progress of both families. She commends their efforts and commitment to raising their puppies. Victoria provides additional resources for further dog training tips and encourages those interested in becoming dog trainers to explore the Victoria Stillwell Academy. She reminds viewers of the importance of patience, dedication, and early intervention in training to ensure a happy and healthy life for both the puppies and their owners.