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Jax the rehomed dobermann 🐾✨

@jaxthedobermannx

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🐾 J A X - The Doberman Cross 🥐
Sharing the highs & lows of a reactive dog 💭🧠
✨ BALANCED TRAINING JOURNEY ✨
📍Lincolnshire | Everyday life 🏡

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A very raw chat… 💬 🐾

Putting myself out there with this one, but I’m here to talk about the real-life shit that doesn’t always get spoken about. 🤍

This journey with Jax has been a complete upside-down rollercoaster of emotions. 🎢 His reactivity has improved SO much, and I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come… but there are still tough days out here.

One of those things I’m currently working on is his lead pulling. I know a lot of people accept that dogs pull on leads and that it’s “normal” — but sorry, not for me. 😂 I don’t like it, I don’t want it, and I want to be able to finish a walk with my arms still attached to my body! So we’re working on it. 💪🏼

Countryside walks should feel calming. They should be a chance to switch off, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy being outside. But at the moment, they can feel like anything but that.

There’s so much frustration and rage going on inside me because I’m constantly switched on. I can’t just enjoy the walk because my brain is always thinking about Jax.

People in the distance… have they got a dog?
Is there a deer hiding somewhere?
Is that a cat?
What’s around the next corner?
What are people thinking when they see a dog like Jax?

So many thoughts running through my head, constantly assessing, anticipating and preparing for the next thing. And sometimes I just can’t switch off. 🧠

And that’s something I’ve realised I need to acknowledge too.

Sometimes, after these walks, I need a come-down just as much as Jax does. I need time away from him, time to breathe, reset my brain and let all that tension go.

Because reactive dog training isn’t just about the dog. It can be mentally exhausting for the person on the other end of the lead too.

We’re still learning. We’re still working on it. We still have hard days.

But we’re also making progress. And I think it’s important to show all of it — not just the good walks. 🤍🐾 by @jaxthedobermannx

The ones who get it… get it. And the ones who don’t probably never will. 🤍

I’m here to show the raw truth of what it can actually be like to own the difficult dog on the block.

The dog everyone avoids.
The dog that gets the judgemental looks and comments.
The stereotypical-looking dog that people make assumptions about.
The dog everyone seems to have an opinion on.

And honestly? I’m here for all of it.

If you’ve never had a shitty day with your dog, or a day where you’ve genuinely disliked them, you might never understand just how lonely the reactive dog world can feel.

And yes… sometimes I dislike Jax.

That doesn’t mean I love him any less. It doesn’t mean I’m a bad owner. It doesn’t mean I’ve given up on him.

Sometimes, in that moment, I’m incredibly frustrated and disappointed by his behaviour and the choices he makes. And I think it’s okay to admit that.

I’m sure parents with children have days where they have disliked their children because of something they have done, well this is no different and there shouldn’t be shame around this.

Just because we love our dogs unconditionally doesn’t mean we have to love every single thing they do. 🫶🏼

So this is for every reactive dog owner who has felt the same.

The ones who have cried after a walk.
The ones who have dreaded taking their dog out.
The ones who have questioned themselves.
The ones who feel like everyone else has it figured out except them.

Some people choose not to share those moments.

I choose to.

Because if showing the hard days makes even one reactive dog owner feel a little less alone, then I’ll keep showing the reality — the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. 🐾🤎

You are not alone. 🤍🤎🖤 by @jaxthedobermannx

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster of a week! 😭🙌🏼

From what felt like walking a satin last week… to walking an absolute BOSS this week! 😭🤎

We’ve had some incredible, supportive comments and messages on our last video, and honestly, I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the love and encouragement. I’m so, so grateful for every single one of you. 🤍

BUT… we’ve also had some pretty ridiculous and shitty comments. 😂

So this one is for the people who told me Jax “isn’t trained”, that he “needs to learn to heel”, and that he “should be doing this” and “should be doing that”.

Funny how some of the same people telling me to take away his freedoms are also the ones telling me that the prong collar I use is cruel…

So, genuinely… does this look cruel to you? 🧐

Jax was absolutely incredible today. 🖤

This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, consistency, and celebrating the good days when they come.

And today? WE TAKE THE WINS. 🥹🤎🐾 by @jaxthedobermannx

Saturday morning treat for both of us 🌲🐾

Not every visit is a success, and this was definitely one of those days!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve managed to get Jax playing tug pretty much every time we’ve visited, so I was a little disappointed when he showed absolutely no interest this time. 🥲

It can be difficult sometimes, spending an hour watching him run around when all I really want is for him to interact and play with me. Of course, he’s still having the best time blowing off some steam, but right now the environment is simply far more rewarding to him than playing with me.

Maybe one day we’ll have those successful play sessions every time… until then, we’ll keep trying! 🤞🏼🤎 by @jaxthedobermannx

Winter walks? We’re ready for you! 🐾🥶

Those cold, wet and windy walks are fast approaching, so I treated myself to some new layers from @revolutionrace and I am OBSESSED! 😍 Not only do I love the colours, but the fit is just perfect!

I’ve worn them out on several walks now and can honestly say they’ve kept me so warm and dry, whatever the weather throws at us! 🙌🏼

They’re definitely going to be coming in handy next month when Jax and I head off on our training boot camp adventure! 🐾🌲 by @jaxthedobermannx

Positive energy all round! 🐾✨

Just a little reminder that balanced training doesn’t always mean negative, it’s positive reinforcement too!!! 🙌🏼

This felt almost impossible 4–5 months ago, but look at us now, working on some lovely engagement around everyday distractions! 🥹

Lots of positive reinforcement when Jax chooses to engage with me, and equally, when something catches his attention, rewarding him for choosing to disengage and reconnect with me.
These were super treats by @woolfsnacks that he absolutely loved as he’s not one to engage with treats unless he 1000% loves them!

It’s all about building those positive associations, making good choices and showing him that checking in with me is just as rewarding as everything going on around him. 🤍

I’d love to film a longer video of our time outside the shops when it’s a little busier, because Jax can be an absolute superstar! 🐾 by @jaxthedobermannx

I’m VERY nervous to upload this because I know I’m potentially opening a HUGE can of worms and inviting a lot of ridicule my way… but we keep things real and honest around here. And I think this is a conversation that a lot of people are afraid to have.

After being dropped as an ambassador because I openly showed the use of a prong collar, and then being asked to hide it, I’ve been left feeling incredibly uncomfortable with the whole situation.

I will NEVER hide how me and Jax train. That’s not what this account is about. I created this page to share our journey, the progress, the setbacks, the struggles and everything in between. Not just the pretty, picture-perfect moments.

I know there are people who strongly disagree with balanced training and the use of certain tools. I respect that everyone has their own opinions and choices when it comes to their dogs. But for Jax, his particular behaviours led us to research and explore different training avenues that I never imagined I would consider.

If I’m honest, all I ever wanted was to train my dog using purely positive methods. But the reality is that every dog is different, every situation is different, and sometimes the journey doesn’t look how you originally imagined it would.

I genuinely believe that exploring balanced training has played a significant part in the progress we’ve made together. That doesn’t mean it’s been easy, and it certainly doesn’t mean it’s been sunshine and rainbows. It’s been challenging, emotional, exhausting and, at times, incredibly difficult.

But that’s REAL life with a reactive dog.

I’m not here to tell anyone how they should train their dog, and I’m certainly not claiming to have all the answers. I’m simply here to share OUR journey, OUR experiences and what we’ve found along the way.

You don’t have to agree with me. But you also don’t have to follow along if you don’t.

One thing I will never do is pretend our journey is something it isn’t just to make other people comfortable.

The good, the bad and the ugly. Always. 🐾❤️ by @jaxthedobermannx

When a negative turns into a positive! 🙌🏼🤎

After our last walk ended with a really uncomfortable situation involving an off-lead dog and a very unpleasant owner, I’ll be honest… I was nervous heading out again!

But today, we faced TWO uncontrolled off-lead dogs and Jax handled every situation so well! 🐾👏🏼

Off-lead freedom is a privilege, not a right. Every reactive dog owner knows that sinking feeling when an uncontrolled dog runs towards you.

We had so many close pass-bys that would have been impossible for Jax just 4 months ago. The progress is incredible, and moments like these remind me just how far we’ve come! 🥹🤎

One very proud dog mum! 🐾✨ by @jaxthedobermannx

Well, this was always going to be eventful! 🛁🐾🤣

After a very muddy run around at the park, someone was well and truly in need of a bath! 🌧️🐾

Safe to say, bath time was EVENTFUL! Jax loves running through water but absolutely HATES being washed… cue one very dramatic Dobie! 😂🙈

And after forgetting to bring his towel in, dog dad’s towel came to the rescue… the one that’s been hanging there, clean and untouched since he deployed! 👀🤣

Sorry, Cam! I’ll buy you a new one! 🙈😂

Anyway, Jax has made it very clear that it’ll be a LONG while before he’s agreeing to another bath! 🐾🛁🤣 by @jaxthedobermannx

The good. The bad. And the ugly. 🐾🙌🏼👀

DOG PROGRESS 🐶⭐️

Jax has come such a LONG way over the past few months, but the journey hasn’t been easy. There have been tears, self-doubt, trainers struggling with his high arousal, moments where I questioned whether I could do this, and even thoughts of rehoming him. I’ve gone back and forth between balanced training and positive reinforcement, constantly questioning whether I’m making the right choices for my boy. 🧠❤️

But here we are, a few months later by balanced training and look how far we’ve come! 🥹🙌🏼

We’re far from perfect, and there’s still plenty of work to do. His greetings with other dogs are our next big challenge, but we’ll get there in time.

For now, being able to walk past dogs without Jax blowing up is a MASSIVE win for us. 🐾✨ by @jaxthedobermannx

Storm Austen or Storm Boelo? 🌧️🍃💨👀

Whatever the weather, we’re getting out there! 🐾🙌🏼

Jax might absolutely HATE the rain at first, but give him a chance to have a good run around and he completely forgets about it! 🤣🌧️

The only downside? Getting home and having to bath a very muddy, very unimpressed Dobie… 🛁😂🐾

Who wants to see the post-walk bath drama? 👀🤣👇🏼 by @jaxthedobermannx

Started the day feeling really low, but an amazing game of tug with Jax completely lifted my mood! 🥹🙌🏼❤️

These enclosed dog parks take so much pressure off me to make every walk perfect. Jax gets the freedom to explore, and I get a whole hour to slow down, breathe and enjoy our time together without constantly worrying about what’s around the next corner. 🐾✨

For anyone that’s been following us for a while will know just how hard it is to have any form of engagement out of Jax either on walks or in the parks so a great game of tug is always a massive win for us!! 🙌🏼🏆

Sometimes, the best walks are the ones where we both get to switch off. ❤️🐶 by @jaxthedobermannx