Featured Pet: Champion

Transported from the south to a shelter in New England, Champion was adopted around a year old to a woman seeking a companion and furry friend. This was her first dog and she was very excited to welcome sweet, young Champ to her home and life. Like any young dog, especially newly adopted, it’s great when they can start training with their new owner to learn basic commands and to build a bond with their person. Being a big boy, puppy mind, and no training, Champ needed structure and basic training skills as he was transitioning to life in a home. However, the woman started utilizing negative reinforcement training methods with Champ that included shock collars and punishment.

Though sometimes Champ would listen to these negative reinforcements, his reactivity of other dogs continued and his relationship with his owner started to diminish. He then went to a boot camp for training and things continued to get worse in the home. A cycle continued where Champion would be reactive on leash, he would be leash corrected, then he continued being reactive and anxious on his leashed walks. Eventually over the years, things escalated where Champ did get into scuffles with small dogs or has redirected on leash. Due to these incidences, the owner started to experience anxiety herself, which in turn would make Champ on edge and anxious. She lost confidence in herself and made the difficult decision that she couldn’t provide Champ the care and life he needed to thrive. She also had to take care of herself as she was starting a new job, and though it was very hard to let him go, she contacted Our Companions for assistance to rehome Champ.

Upon meeting this handsome boy and learning more about his training history, it was clear his owner had the absolute best intentions for Champ, but positive reinforcement training would be the best method to best meet his needs. We wanted to encourage Champ for making great decisions, help him build trust with his handlers walking him, and have him focus on his friends rather than what might be distracting/upsetting him. He was so sweet and lovely, but just needed different guidance and direction. As we were preparing him for our Rehoming Program, we actually had an opening at our Sanctuary and welcomed him in June of 2022 at 3 years old.

As he was settling into the Sanctuary and meeting all of his new friends, there wasn’t one person that Champ never liked! He met everyone with enthusiasm, a smiley face, and a big lean into you, politely asking for pets! Being a very tall, 70lb boy, he definitely has a mix of a lot of different breeds. Though we definitely knew he had some hound in him given how much he loved chasing critters and sniffing out scents on his walks! Understanding how in tune he was with scents of other critters and dogs on his walks, redirecting his focus was a bit tricky. He also had to unlearn some of his old training and adapt to his new reward-based training at our Sanctuary. Still, our Dog Team was determined to be consistent and patient with Champ, and in turn he loved a good challenge and learning new things!

Seeing how focused Champ was on certain scents and smells, our Dog team decided to take advantage of his excellent sense of smell and incorporate it in his training! They started to work on scent targeting and reward him for focusing on our designated scents, like cheez whiz, rather than becoming laser focused on other dogs or critters on his walks. Champ even went to a formal scent class at our Canine College training program and to no one’s surprise, he excelled! Our Dog Team loved getting creative thinking of new enrichment activities for Champ to challenge and excite his great sense of smell!

As Champ continued to work on his training and improve, we started to notice a bit of a limp on his back leg. In his previous home, he did experience a fracture that was repaired with a plate and screws. We coined it his “old football injury” and made sure to keep an eye on any discomfort during his activities with us. We slowed down his walks, ensured more enrichment indoors, as well as added a joint supplement and physical therapy to help. Even with limited exercise, Champ was very happy to have lots of inside playtime! He continues scent work training, enrichment puzzles, and absolutely loves ripping apart stuffies! He will happily entertain himself with his toys on his bed, or will join you on the couch for snuggles and butt rubs! He simply enjoys the company of his friends, whether it is playing games, getting lots of pets, or cuddling on the couch!

Champion has been thriving at our Sanctuary learning new ways of interacting in the world where he’s rewarded for all of the good decisions he makes. He absolutely loves making friends with humans and can be such a couch hog given his size! He can still be very prey-driven on his walks, but our amazing staff have continued to enrich his walks with other activities that Champion can focus on rather than crazy critters. Champion has brought many smiles to our staff and volunteers!

Having built a great foundation at our Sanctuary, Champ is ready to start the next chapter of his life in a home! Now 5 years, Champ would love to be your only furbaby in a home where he can continue his training. A rural area would be great for Champ so he can enjoy the great outdoors and yard with his adopter without the need of any distraction of other dogs. He would probably do best with teens and adults that would love to play with him and give him the attention he rightfully deserves! This big boy has a big heart and we know he has lots of love to give in a home of his very own! Learn more about our charming Champ by contacting our Helpline at 860-242-9999 or email [email protected]!