Ep 3. Saving Snooki

In It's Me or the Dog season 4 episode 3, "Saving Snooki," dog trainer Victoria Stilwell takes on the challenge of rehabilitating a tiny Chihuahua named Snooki. Snooki's owner, Danielle, adopted the dog from a shelter but quickly realized that Snooki had a tendency to bark and lunge at strangers, making it difficult to take her for walks or have guests over. Danielle is afraid that Snooki's aggressive behavior will escalate and become unmanageable, so she calls in Victoria for help.

First, Victoria observes Snooki's behavior to get a sense of her triggers and what might be causing her aggression. She notices that Snooki is extremely territorial and possessive of Danielle, which is likely contributing to her protective behavior. Victoria begins working with Snooki using positive reinforcement techniques, rewarding her for good behavior and redirecting her when she starts to bark or lunge. She also works with Danielle to establish herself as the pack leader in Snooki's eyes, helping Snooki feel more secure and less anxious.

Throughout the episode, viewers watch as Victoria helps Snooki overcome her fear of new people and strange environments. She introduces Snooki to other dogs and strangers slowly and provides lots of treats and positive reinforcement to make the experience enjoyable for Snooki. As Snooki's confidence grows, she becomes less reactive and more calm in situations that would have previously triggered her to bark and lunge.

One of the biggest challenges that Victoria faces is helping Danielle to understand the importance of consistency in Snooki's training. Danielle is a soft-spoken, gentle person who struggles to assert herself as the leader in Snooki's eyes. Victoria works with her to develop a more confident, assertive demeanor and encourages her to remain consistent in her commands and expectations of Snooki. Danielle learns that by setting clear boundaries and establishing a routine, she can help Snooki feel more secure and less anxious.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers see a marked improvement in Snooki's behavior. She is able to meet and greet strangers without barking or lunging, and she's much more relaxed and calm in new environments. Danielle is thrilled with the progress that Snooki has made and is grateful to Victoria for helping her understand how she can be a more effective leader for her dog.

Throughout "Saving Snooki," Victoria demonstrates her expertise as a dog trainer and her compassion for both dogs and their owners. She emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement and consistency in training while also acknowledging the unique needs and personalities of each individual dog. As always, Victoria's philosophy is centered on creating a happy, healthy relationship between dogs and their owners, and this episode serves as a prime example of how she accomplishes this goal.