12/27/2024
Krampus’s little rein-devils were on their best behavior while I was away in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
The irony of these pictures is to much to handle.
Rocco (aka) Convict & Madi (aka) Loco pendejo have a love hate relationship with each other.
Both are highly dominating dogs, full of insane drive, killer instincts, and will throw down in the streets if given the opportunity.
Madi is and has always been kennel aggressive. Outside the kennel she’s low key, enjoys the company of the the other dogs but will immediately set the bar and show everyone she’s in charge. Rocco is pretty much non reactive inside his kennel towards other dogs, however outside the kennel he’s a beast ready to do damage. Madi is always free ranged in the kennel area while other dogs are inside theirs. It has become her most important, and invaluable role here. It helps to desensitize the other dogs to free roaming dogs, helps with distractions and keeps them all in check. She does an amazing job with protecting the kennels, while keeping everyone company.
As much as these two criminals have similar behaviors, they are also very different. When Rocco free ranges in the kennel area, he does pretty well considering he wants to rip arms and legs off when overstimulated and when he sees another dog, it’s straight up gangster mode and kennel fighting.
We’ve managed to overcome so much together. He’s now able to walk by dogs in the kennel and just be a dog. No gang signs, no explosions, just a dog doing dog stuff. Using his nose, and understanding his place.
His biggest challenge however while free ranging inside the kennel area is, guess who? Yes, that’s right MADI, the loco maniac. After many weeks (well months to be completely honest) we’ve conquered that tremendous hurdle, and with a strict routine he can walk in and out, walk around and go by her kennel without exploding and kennel fighting her. We’ve be able to do this on leash, off leash and with no training equipment, AND not just with me, but with my “decoy trainer” THE HUBS.
I’m beyond proud of Rocco. Madi would be considered a tough dog for most to manage, which is why she will be here until the day she dies. But for me, she’s easy to manage. She also has come leaps and bounds since her return 2yrs ago. Sadly I’m not a magician and it took me this long to be able to get her back on track, but sadly I can’t change genetics nor can I go back and essentially “unfk” the damage that was done during the 4yrs she was away from us. Rocco is no different, I can’t change his genetics, and there’s only certain things I can undo. But that takes time, and constant effort, management and mitigation. What works for him is different than what works for Madi, and what works for Madi is different than what works for other cases like this. That’s why I don’t rush these type of dogs and I’m completely transparent with their owners and all of you.
I’m sure you all remember our Zelda Lu - she was scheduled for our 8 week behavioral modification program. I decided to keep her for 10 weeks, because I refuse to rush these process. Ironically, Zelda & her little bro Short Stack just came back today to visit for a few days. So the kennel is now filled with behavioral cases, all similar but yet so very different. Rocco was scheduled for 6 weeks, guess what, he too has stayed much longer because it’s in his best interests to continue learning and thriving.
Moral of the story, do right by these type of dogs, be honest, be transparent, and NEVER rush them. We are also grateful for owners who understand this process takes time, lots of patience and a clear understanding of what they own. We want to ensure we are setting you and your dog up for success. So at the end of the day, if they have to stay longer, we make sure to tailor our program to fit each individual dogs needs, and NO we don’t charge you any more than what we originally quoted you. Some may agree with that, others not so much. For me, it’s not about the money, it’s about the dog in front of me and making sure I do right by them and their owners. These type of cases are no joke, it’s not cute most of the time, it’s raw and uncut. Not always rainbows and sunshine. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and our sneaky little Convict is shining.
So please enjoy his Christmas list - a side by side or a golf cart 🤪
Happy day after Christmas with the Kranks, Convict & Criminals here on the funny farm 😍🌶️🖤🐾🃏
