Ep 2. Don't Fear the Collar

In episode 2 of Dog: Impossible, titled "Don't Fear the Collar," veteran dog trainer Matt Beisner is faced with a challenging case involving a dog who has a severe fear of collars. The dog, a pit bull named Harmony, was rescued from a fighting ring and has a history of aggression towards other dogs, as well as fear-based behavior towards humans. Harmony's fear of collars makes it nearly impossible for her to be walked outside, which is severely limiting her exercise and socialization.

Beisner begins by observing Harmony's behavior at home and noticing some warning signs of aggression and anxiety. He works with Harmony's owner to create a calm and structured environment for the dog, as well as implementing some basic obedience training to establish a healthy relationship between Harmony and her owner. Beisner also introduces Harmony to a comfortable, non-threatening collar and begins working on desensitizing her to the sensation of wearing it.

As they progress, Beisner introduces Harmony to more intense collars, such as prong collars, to help her overcome her fear and stop her aggression towards other dogs. Beisner works with Harmony on a number of exercises both at home and outside to reinforce positive behavior and help her become more comfortable with other dogs. As they continue working together, Beisner helps Harmony's owner to better read the dog's body language and understand the triggers for her fear and aggression.

Throughout the episode, Beisner emphasizes the importance of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement when working with any dog, but especially one with a history of trauma or abuse. He stresses the need to work slowly and carefully, always keeping the dog's well-being and mental health as the top priority.

By the end of the episode, viewers see Harmony making great strides in overcoming her fear of collars and becoming more comfortable with her owner and other dogs. Beisner's training techniques and emphasis on positive reinforcement have helped to create a stronger bond between Harmony and her owner and have given her the tools to overcome her fears and anxiety. In the end, viewers are left with a sense of hope and inspiration, as they see the incredible power of patience, compassion, and effective training techniques in transforming even the most difficult cases.