Tipper was purchased from a pet store and went to live in a home with a baby and a two year old. The parents did not know or understand schnauzers but had heard they were great dogs for families. Needless to say, Tipper did not get proper training and the young children did not get the proper dog handling training.

When the children would chase the Tipper, she would get cornered and began to growl and snap to protect herself. Tipper would get punished by being scolded and spanked. Tipper began hiding under tables, chairs and beds, and any chance she got would run away.

We tried placing her with two different people, but she was returned each time for fear of biting someone. We had her examined by a Vet to make sure she was physically undamaged. Then called a trainer for advice. The trainer suggested reading The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. And we came up with a game plan to help Tipper with behavior modification.

I would take her to the dog park and have different people hold a treat in their hands, I would say "Tipper go say hello" she would go to the hand, snatch the treat and come back to me. I would say "Good Girl say hello" and lots of love and pets. We would do this with three to four people each day. By the 4th day she was going over to people on her own to "say hello" and would come running back to me. "Lookie what I did" I would give her a treat and say "Good Girl, Good girl say hello" of course with lots of love and pets then I would give her the treat.

I continued to immerse Tipper in different social situations with praise and treats. After three months, she began to emerge from her shell becoming more trusting of people. It was time for the ultimate test, another foster mom for the weekend, then finding Tipper a forever home.

We found a wonderful home for Tipper at the beach. Her new parents are familiar with abused dogs and have adopted them before. Tipper's new mom used to travel on business with the family schnauzer before that dog past away of old age.

Tipper's new family says Tipper rules the roost and keeps everyone (three cats and another dog) in their place. She loves running on the beach as fast as she can and of course LOVES sitting on her mom's lap and watching TV before bedtime.