The Project Dog: Sophia’s Story
Thank you for joining us for the Project Dog series, we can’t wait to hear your story! Let’s get started with an introduction.
I'm Alyssa, and my dog is Sophia. She's an APBT/Husky mix brought up from Tennessee. I adopted her from the WNY Adopt-a-Thon back in February 2020 when she was only a young puppy at 11 weeks old. She was the first dog that was truly mine, not just the family dog. She is incredibly smart, stubborn, and, of course, spicy. Her favorite trick is opening and closing the door from the dog run outside.
Bringing home a puppy is always an adventure! What made you choose Sophia and would you choose her again?
I don't know exactly why I picked her. Just a feeling I suppose. She was a pretty puppy, a unique looking puppy of course. But it was just a feeling. She was chill among the chaos and she looked at me like I was meant to take her home. Something about her said she was mine. So I took her home, without hesitation. While adopting a puppy was in the cards, adopting this specific puppy was a bit of an impulse based on gut feelings. I would do it again in a heartbeat. She's taught me so much.
I know that feeling! Sometimes it seems like they are the ones that choose us, instead of the other way around. You mentioned that she was “chill among the chaos,” but it sounds like she has had some challenges. What would you say have been Sophia’s biggest challenges?
While Sophia was reactive from the get go, at about 5 or 6 months old, her reactivity in a class setting was one of her biggest struggles. She had trouble being in a building with other dogs even if she couldn't see them. There was a point in time where her barking and screaming was so over the top that we would have to wait our turn for scent class outside in the parking lot. She would go from 0 to 100 very quickly and couldn't settle herself afterwards. Additionally, while we tried repeatedly to be in classes for agility, her over-arousal and biting during any exercises proved difficult and frustrating as it wasted a lot of our classmates time trying to troubleshoot behavior struggles instead of just doing agility. For several years we only did private lessons until she was able to integrate back into the class setting. Now she walks into most classrooms unbothered by the dogs.
That does sound like it was difficult to work through. While our dogs may have their faults, as do we, there are so many good things about having them in our lives. What would you say is the best thing about sharing your life with your Project Dog?
Although it is always a challenge, it is a challenge I am grateful for. Sophia has tested me in so many ways and made me a better dog trainer and owner because of it. When I adopted her, I had just started assisting with SUPERNOVA. My knowledge was limited but I loved learning and she gave me the perfect opportunity. Because of Sophia and all her progress, I am able to help other people with their own project dogs. While no one truly signs up for a project dog, it is always nice to be able to share her story with others just starting out on their journeys. She is now a demo dog for other reactive dogs. If someone had told me that would be the case five years ago, I would've laughed in their face. She's honestly still an asshole, but in the best way, and she is my best friend.
From reactive dog to demo dog, that is pretty incredible! As reactive dog parents, we may get more than we bargained for when it comes to our dogs, but that isn’t always a bad thing. Tell us, how has your Project Dog changed your life for the better?
She has given me a greater appreciation for how I ended up where I have in my life. If I had adopted her, and I wasn't a part of SUPERNOVA at the time, I don't know that she would've turned out as amazing as she did and I don't think my life would be as enriched with incredible dogs and humans as it is. I met two wonderful, intelligent women who taught me everything I know, and then my dog taught me more. She introduced me to some of my best friends in life, and she is one of my best friends herself. Despite everything I have gone through the last five years, she has been my constant, my ride or die. She lays in bed with me all day if I'm sick, but she's also down to drag me around the woods for five miles. If I have no one else in life, I'll always have Sophia.
It seems that you and Sophia have been on quite a journey together. How have the connections you have made with other reactive dog owners helped you?
Almost all my closest friends are actually fellow reactive dog owners. I don't have a lot of friends who aren't in the dog world, but having friends who understand thoroughly the reality of owning a dog who may lose it's shit at a dog (or a person) takes it to a deeper level. We started taking our dogs out together, social distance walks as we called them, and ironically, most of our reactive dogs became friends with each other too! It's incredibly helpful to have a support system of people who understand both the reality of reactive dog ownership, and the feelings that come along with it. Once you find your people, it opens up a whole new world. I think it also helps your DOG to start to feel safe to know that those humans and dogs they see on a regular basis are trusted!
That’s amazing and such a great opportunity for both the dogs and their humans to form connections and friendships. Based on your experiences, as Sophia’s human and also in helping other reactive dog parents, is there any advice you would give to someone who is just discovering that their dog is reactive?
You're not alone and it's not your fault. Reactivity is complicated but I typically refer to it affectionately as "big feelings." Try to think about your dog as if it were another human being and consider them with empathy. Most humans with reactive dogs just see their dog barking and lunging at the end of the leash and feel embarrassed. Most likely, it is not a reflection of you as a dog owner. While feeling embarrassed by your dog's behavior is totally normal, try to recognize that your dog is having a hard time and needs your help to get through it. Also, learn to advocate for your dog! Your dog should feel they can trust you to keep them safe.
Thank you again for sharing your story with us! Before we say goodbye, do you have any closing remarks?
Thank you for everything, Noelle and Leah <3
