Helping Coco and Rocky Overcome Anxiety and Reactivity

Coco and Rocky, an 8-year-old Poodle/Terrier mix and a 9-year-old Malti/Poodle mix, had spent most of their lives in a familiar home with their two owners—newly retired adults. However, as their owners planned for a big move to a smaller condo, they realized their dogs’ anxiety, resource guarding, and reactivity could make the transition difficult. They wanted to create a calmer, more structured environment where both dogs could thrive in a tighter living space.

That’s when they reached out to Good Buddy Dog Training for help.

Behavior Problems in Senior Dogs That Needed Training

During the assessment, it was clear that each dog had different challenges:

• Coco suffered from anxiety and resource guarding, often chewing on themselves for self-soothing and becoming territorial over their owners and furniture when guests arrived.
• Rocky had leash frustration and persistent barking, reacting to any noise or movement outside.
• Both dogs jumped on guests and struggled to settle down when someone entered the home.

With a major life change ahead, the owners wanted to feel confident managing their dogs in a smaller space while improving their overall behavior.

Personalized Senior Dog Training for Coco and Rocky

The training plan focused on reducing anxiety, improving impulse control, and reinforcing positive behaviors. Some key areas included:

• Teaching Quiet and Wait to help the dogs stay calm when guests arrived
• Addressing resource guarding by reinforcing clear boundaries and trust-based interactions
• Managing leash frustration with structured walks and redirection techniques
• Encouraging settling behaviors to help both dogs stay relaxed in high-energy situations

Coco and Rocky’s Transformation

By the end of training, Coco and Rocky showed tremendous improvement:

• Instead of rushing down the hallway barking at visitors, they remained calmly in their beds, waiting for the owners to invite guests in.
• Their reactivity and anxiety levels dropped, making their home environment much more peaceful.
• With continued reinforcement, their owners would be able to maintain and build on this progress—helping ensure a smooth transition to their new home.

Professional Senior Dog Training in Albuquerque

Every dog is capable of learning, no matter their age. Coco and Rocky’s story proves that even senior dogs can make incredible progress with the right guidance and consistency. Their owners now have the tools to continue their training and help them adjust to their future home with confidence.

If your dog struggles with anxiety, reactivity, or behavioral challenges, Good Buddy Dog Training is here to help. Fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation and start your dog’s transformation!