Linda – Aftercare

My love for dogs began in my childhood. My first dog was a rescue from Romania; once home, it turned out he had fear aggression. For a beginner's dog, this was very tough. But I looked right past this behavior. My feelings and trust in this dog were so great and strong that I took on the challenge anyway. With a lot of patience, dedication, and the right guidance, we grew tremendously together. In the end, everything turned out perfectly. It certainly wasn't easy, but my intuition proved to be right. This dog slowly but surely blossomed into a very sweet, loyal dog. He was my soulmate, and he deeply sparked my interest in dog behavior. My second dog, an Alaskan Malamute I had from a puppy from a reputable breeder, was a true friend to everyone: gentle in character, social and friendly, but also delightfully stubborn, as befits the breed. With him, I was introduced to sled dog racing, which showed a completely different side of working with dogs. After that, I chose a rescue dog again, this time from Italy—an incredibly anxious dog who required time, understanding, and a tailored approach. This dog has also made great progress. Through my rescue dogs, I have delved deeper and deeper into canine behavior and communication. Over the years, I have taken several courses and workshops, both with and without a dog. In 2025, I completed the Canine Behavior Science program and obtained my certificate. Following this, I attended a practical training day to further deepen my knowledge. Within Stichting Hoop voor Honden, I will be involved in aftercare. I enjoy guiding people through their process with their adopted dog, especially during the phase where questions, uncertainties, or challenges may arise. I have a soft spot for non-typical dogs: the dogs that need just a little bit more, require a different approach, and sometimes deserve a little extra understanding. That is exactly where my heart lies.