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When Hoppa first joined Naughty Dog School, life could feel overwhelming.

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As a Romanian rescue, Hoppa found it difficult to trust people, particularly those outside of her immediate family. New people were worrying, unfamiliar situations could be challenging, and she preferred to keep her distance rather than engage.

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Like many rescue dogs, Hoppa wasn't being "naughty" - she was simply doing what she felt she needed to do to stay safe.

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At Naughty Dog School, we don't focus on changing behaviour first. Instead, we focus on understanding the emotions driving that behaviour.

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For Hoppa, that emotion was fear.

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Rather than asking her to interact with people before she was ready, we began by introducing a series of de-stressing and confidence-building games designed to help her feel more comfortable in her environment. These games gave Hoppa opportunities to make choices, solve problems, and learn that she could navigate the world safely and successfully.

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As her confidence grew, so did her willingness to engage.

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One of the most important aspects of Hoppa's programme was allowing her to progress at her own pace. We never forced interactions or pushed her beyond what she could comfortably cope with. Instead, we carefully observed her body language and adjusted our approach based on how she was feeling.

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Over time, Hoppa began showing signs of real change. She became more relaxed around people, more curious about her surroundings, and more willing to approach and interact with instructors.

The progress wasn't limited to the training environment either. The confidence she developed through our games began to transfer into everyday life, helping her cope better with situations that would previously have felt overwhelming.

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Hoppa's journey highlights something we see time and time again at Naughty Dog School:

When we help dogs change how they feel, their behaviour often changes naturally.

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Today, Hoppa continues to build confidence and develop new skills. Every small success adds another layer of resilience, helping her become the happy, capable dog we always knew she could be.

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We are incredibly proud of how far she has come and look forward to supporting her on the next stage of her journey.