Patteclub and animal welfare
Patteclub & Animal Welfare Responsibility doesn't end with dog training for me.
Animal welfare is not only a professional but also a personal passion of mine. My two dogs, Nala and Dobbie, originally came from international animal rescue organizations – Nala from Greece and Dobbie from Romania.
Through her, I've personally experienced how different dogs with a history can be and how important time, safety, understanding, and an individually tailored approach are. These experiences have shaped my view of dog training and my work at Patteclub.
Every dog brings its own story.
A rescue dog is not automatically anxious, difficult, or traumatized.
Some dogs adapt surprisingly quickly to their new lives. Others need more time, guidance, and support.
Uncertainty, lack of everyday experience, difficulties with dog encounters, or a high sensitivity to new situations can play a role.
Therefore, for me the focus is not on the dog's origin, but on the question:
What does this dog need today to feel more secure in his new daily routine?
Help can take many forms.
My involvement in animal welfare has taken different forms over the years.
This included, among other things, support in difficult placement cases, practical work around rescue dogs, advice and training, as well as support for projects and campaigns through donations or special events.
It is important to me that help is not only well-intentioned, but also reaches those who actually need it.
Sometimes that means financial support.
Sometimes it means time and practical help.
And sometimes it means giving a human-dog team knowledge and a realistic path forward.
A new home is just the beginning.
Taking in a dog doesn't mean that everything has to work perfectly from day one.
Arriving takes time. Trust requires experience.
And sometimes it takes support to truly turn two individuals into a team.
If you live with a rescue dog and certain everyday situations are a concern for you, we will work together to understand the underlying reasons for the behavior and determine which training approach is right for you.
Understanding instead of hasty judgment
Especially with rescue dogs, we often only see the behavior that is visible at the moment.
A dog barks.
A dog wants to escape.
A dog retreats.
A dog reacts strongly to other dogs or people.
For me, good training begins with not just asking:
"How do I get rid of this behavior?"
But also
"Why does the dog exhibit this behavior – and what does he need to be able to deal with it differently?"
