Dog of the Month for March is April!

I've been lax with the Dog of the Month contest of late and I was surprised to see I had missed 3 months on the trot so it's definitely time to kickstart the contest. I am pleased to say that the winner for March is April. April is a lovely greyhound and we have been walking her for several years now. Here is April's story...

April is a very well behaved dog these days but that wasn't always the case...as I am sure her owners will remember only too well when they first rehomed April she was a dog with a lot going on! She was and always has been great with people and kids but initially she would react badly to almost any dog she came into contact with so it was, to begin with, a challenge to get her used to pack life.  

For quite a while she wore a muzzle but being an ex-racer that was something that she was used to and it was a comfort to know that any dogs we came into contact with were safe. In time confidence in April grew and April showed improvement so she was introduced to some of the other North Shields dogs. As with a lot of reactive dogs once you have introduced that dog properly in a controlled manner to another dog they settle with that dog very quickly. April was a quick learner so it didn't take long to get her into her own pack and from there her confidence continued to grow and gradually she would react less and less to random dogs on the street - this, as anyone with a reactive dog knows, is not a quick fix. It is no exaggeration to say this has taken a few years and improvements are gradual.

April is proof positive that a reactive dog can be rehabilitated and for a long time now April has been no bother at all. She is 100% with all the dogs she walks with and very rarely barks at another dog when she's out, in fact, I can't remember the last time that happened.

We genuinley love walking April and are grateful to have been walking her for the past few years through the pandemic as well as house moves and new babies.  April has took it all in her stride, she's a really special dog (but it's no secret that I do have a soft spot for greyhounds).

Here are a couple of photos of April out with her friends in Whitley Bay and North Shields.  I'll bring you your prize and certificate next time I have you out for a walk!