Why rescue dogs like Benji deserve patience, not pressure.

In this blog, I’m sharing the journey of Benji — a rescue dog living in Reading, Berkshire — and how his family went from feeling overwhelmed to building a calm, confident life together.

From those challenging early days to a relationship grounded in trust and connection, Benji’s story is a reminder of the power of patience, understanding, and support.

Whether you’ve recently adopted a rescue dog or things feel a little wobbly right now, this is a story for anyone who needs reassurance that change is possible — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

From fearful to thriving – Benji’s rescue journey

Bringing a rescue dog home can feel like a leap of faith. Dave and Steph were ready to give Benji the love and security he deserved — but they quickly realised the early weeks weren’t going to be easy.

Benji was nervous, unsure of the world around him. Sounds, sights, other dogs — everything felt overwhelming.

He’d formed a strong bond with Dave and Steph, but outside their home, things felt unpredictable. Their goal? To have a dog who could walk calmly past others, cope better with life’s unpredictability, and enjoy a future where family and friends could visit without worry.

Finding their feet

They were excited to help Benji thrive, but understandably anxious. They’d never had a dog with such complex emotions before. After chatting through what was happening, we built a tailored one-to-one plan focused on foundation skills that linked with my IMDT accreditation. The aim was simple: create progress that felt safe and steady — without rushing or flooding Benji with too much.

We had so much fun together — but it took time for Benji to be comfortable with me nearby. He needed space when working with his owners, so I kept my distance, respecting what he could gradually grow to cope with. The IMDT grades brought structure to the programme, with achievable goals and certificates that gave Steph and Dave a real sense of progress.

Proud pooch Benji shows off his IMDT Partnership Grade certificates and a blue rosette, celebrating his dog training achievements.

Benji lives with his family in Reading, Berkshire, and like so many of the dogs I work with locally, he needed time to adjust to a busy, stimulating environment while learning to feel safe and understood.

I didn’t work in isolation — I collaborated closely with a fantastic behaviourist, Nicole Crooks who used to run Reactive Rovers – a group I had used before I became a trainer myself.

Together, we created a joined-up approach that made space for Benji’s emotional learning, while giving Dave and Steph practical tools they could rely on day to day. By layering in enrichment, introducing cues, and supporting Benji to think through situations instead of react, things slowly began to shift.

And through all of it, we kept connection at the heart of the process — connection between Benji and his owners  and connection to a future that felt possible.

Why rescue dogs are so special

Benji’s story holds a special place in my heart. Having had rescue dogs myself, I know just how much love and potential they bring — but also how much uncertainty they can carry with them. These dogs come with pasts we may never fully understand.

They don’t arrive as blank slates — they arrive with experiences, coping strategies, and sometimes emotional baggage that shows up in unpredictable ways.

Helping a rescue dog settle takes time, empathy, and a whole lot of patience. But what’s incredible is their capacity to trust again — to rebuild connections and find comfort in a new forever family.

That connection isn’t always instant, but when it comes, it’s powerful. You see it in the soft eye contact, the slowed breathing, the little check-ins. It’s the kind of bond that’s built with presence, not pressure.

Celebrating the changes

Benji is now a completely different dog to the one I first met. Two years on, I’m proud to say I’m still in touch with Dave and Steph — and even more proud to hear how beautifully Benji has adjusted to life with their little boy. Benji is now calm, confident, and still eager to learn.

Hanging out with Benji

Paws Up Training

Its hard work this training!

Benji and I still catch up from time to time. His progress continues to shine — he takes the world in calmly, processes things thoughtfully, and most importantly, he feels safe.

Watching him grow in confidence has allowed Dave and Steph to relax too. They’ve built a relationship that’s grounded in connection and trust.

They told me:

"Sarah has helped us so much with his recall and loose lead. Her approach was so thoughtful and tailored. The feedback and enrichment games were a game changer. She really helped us understand Benji better and feel more confident as owners."

Thinking about getting support?

Benji’s journey reminds us that progress isn’t always loud or fast — sometimes it’s slow, steady, and absolutely beautiful.

If you’ve welcomed a rescue dog and things feel a bit wobbly right now, you’re not alone. You don’t need to have all the answers. I’d love to help you feel more confident, more connected — and more hopeful about what’s possible. Just drop me a message — I’m here.