Waylon was a scrawny little chihuahua found in an abandoned house without food. To Megan’s surprise, she was about to fall in love. Megan brought Waylon into the store to get information on local adoption agencies. However, by the end of her visit, she had decided to keep Waylon. Waylon was nervous and not happy to meet other people—especially men.
Krystal, a pet trainer at Store 221, met Waylon and knew he had it in him to overcome his challenges. Krystal talked extensively with Megan about signing Waylon up for classes and recommended starting private lessons due to his reactionary behavior. After about four weeks, Waylon had come out of his shell a little more. He was doing great with Krystal, so it was time to get him around the store.
Along with a few treats handy, Waylon was starting to come around, but he still had a way to go. Megan kept working with him at home and even had her husband try to get him more comfortable around men. After roughly sixteen weeks of private classes, they could work through the entire curriculum. Waylon now loves dogs, children, men, and everyone else—except squirrels. He still hates squirrels.
Today, you can find Waylon and Megan roaming around El Paso with no worries. He has become a carefree and loving addition to the family. Recently, he was able to explore White Sands National Park. For a scared dog once confined to an abandoned house, he is living a pretty good life. Krystal doesn’t know if all dogs go to heaven, but she believes Waylon certainly will.
Training is more than just teaching commands—it’s about building trust, confidence, and creating a lifelong connection with your pet. At PetSmart, our accredited trainers are passionate about helping dogs like Waylon overcome their challenges and become happy, well-adjusted members of the family.
