Animal corner protégé

From problem dog to friendly family member

Just under a year lies between these pictures. Loud barking and bared teeth are a thing of the past. During a visit to the "Krone", the male dog was calm and playful.

(Bild: Katharina Lattermann )

After a long time, the tide has turned for mixed-breed male dog "Rafi". After a difficult past and a long rehabilitation phase, he has found happiness with a Viennese family. His new owners visited the "Krone" animal corner with him and officially adopted him. 

However, this adoption jackpot was preceded by a long run of bad luck. Street dog "Rafi" was brought from Romania to Austria and placed with Ute H. from Vienna. Without any dog experience, she was completely naive, as the single mother of two daughters admits in conversation. There was a lack of experience, time and money to give the young dog the right upbringing. 

Flashback 2023
As a result, male dog "Rafi" became a ticking time bomb for his owner. The dog was on record for biting incidents and, fearing a further escalation, the owner desperately looked for another place. The "Krone" animal corner took the animal into its care and looked for solutions. 

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Specialist for these cases
"Extreme dog trainer" Georg Resch was asked to take a look at the male dog. His expertise was clear: "Rafi" needed "resocialization" - or behavioural therapy - to help him overcome his problems and fears. 

Everything has to be relearned
And so the handsome male dog spent a few months in Styria and was given the chance to relearn his social behavior within a pack of dogs. Environmental training and a lot of patience from his trainer soon revealed the animal's true character. 

About the person

• Georg Resch trains dogs with his company RG-Dogs and offers re-socialization programmes for dogs with behavioural problems.
• With his association Teufels Hunde in Hartberg, he takes in dogs that have bitten badly and are considered aggressive. You can support this important work with a donation!

"It was clear that it would take a lot of time and that we would only pass 'Rafi' on when the new owner was a perfect fit. I am delighted that the M. family is now working so well together," said Animal Corner Manager Maggie Entenfellner at the handover. 

A successful new start! Maggie Entenfellner with Rafi's new family in front of the Pressehaus.

(Bild: Katharina Lattermann)

New start in Vienna
Patrick M. from Vienna took over "Rafi" as a foster home back in March. "It was always clear to me that we would only take one dog from animal welfare. There are so many waiting for a chance in shelters. Georg Resch has given us good advice and is also helping us with tips, but so far it's going smoothly. Rafi' already knows the public transport system, but driving a car is not his thing," says the new dog owner, stroking his four-legged friend's head. 

As a little surprise, there are vouchers from Fressnapf for Rafi!

(Bild: Katharina Lattermann)

Love at first sight 
The children are also happy and 'Rafi' lives out his cuddly and playful side with them. For daughter Valerie (twelve years old) it is clear that she now also has to take responsibility and look after her pet. "He cuddled up to us the first time we met and was very sweet. He's very well-behaved on a lead with me and we're practising not letting him jump onto the couch," says Valerie M., who is delighted with her new family member. 

A touching end to an initially sad story. But it clearly shows that even difficult dogs deserve a second chance and that their true nature can be brought out with the right treatment. 

The Animal Corner wishes the M. family and Rafi all the best for their future together!

(Bild: Katharina Lattermann)