Ep 12. Bullheaded Bulldog

In "Bullheaded Bulldog," the twelfth episode of the first season of "It's Me or the Dog," dog trainer Victoria Stilwell comes to the aid of a stubborn bulldog named Rufus. Rufus's owner, Sarah, is at her wit's end with his disobedience and destructive behavior. Rufus has a habit of breaking into her cabinets, eating her shoes, and even destroying her couch.

Sarah's frustration with Rufus is compounded by the fact that he is extremely strong-willed and refuses to listen to her. He often pulls on his leash during walks and ignores her commands. Despite Sarah's efforts to train Rufus on her own, his behavior only seems to be getting worse.

Victoria observes Rufus's behavior and quickly deduces that he is suffering from a lack of exercise and mental stimulation. She recommends that Sarah take Rufus on long walks and provide him with puzzle toys and other forms of mental stimulation. Furthermore, Victoria emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear hierarchy in their household, with Sarah as the clear leader and Rufus as the follower.

Throughout the episode, Victoria works with Sarah to help her establish this leadership role. They practice basic obedience commands like "sit" and "stay," and Victoria shows Sarah how to use positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors. As Sarah becomes more confident in her role as leader, Rufus starts to respond to her commands more consistently.

However, Rufus's stubborn streak continues to present challenges. Even when Sarah is giving him clear commands, he will sometimes refuse to comply. Victoria emphasizes the importance of consistency and repetition in training - it can take several weeks or even months for a dog to fully internalize a new behavior.

Over the course of the episode, there are several heartwarming moments where Sarah and Rufus make progress together. They enjoy a long walk together in the park, and Sarah is thrilled to see Rufus start to listen to her commands. When Victoria returns to check in on the family several weeks later, she is pleased to see that Rufus is a much better behaved dog.

Overall, "Bullheaded Bulldog" is a touching episode that demonstrates the transformative power of positive reinforcement training. By providing Rufus with exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent leadership, Sarah is able to transform him from a stubborn and destructive bulldog into a well-behaved companion.