Meet Macho!
Sometimes, life throws us unexpected challenges, and for Macho, it meant finding his way back to us at Animal Farm Foundation (AFF). This handsome, dark brindle boy came to us from New York City’s Animal Care Center as a playful, energetic six-month-old puppy. From the moment he arrived, Macho’s happy spirit and endless energy stole hearts. He loved meeting new people, running wild in the yard with his doggie friends, and embracing life with joy. He was the kind of dog you could just tell was a “good boy” the moment you laid your hands on him.
So, it was no surprise when a wonderful family adopted Macho within just a few weeks. He settled into his new home quickly, bringing his vibrant personality along. But as he matured, he began to display signs of anxiety, which took the form of an obsessive spinning and tail-chasing habit when he got excited.
Over time, these episodes became difficult for his family to manage. Despite their love and dedication, one of Macho’s spinning episodes lasted nearly four hours, leaving everyone feeling helpless. Together, we made the tough decision for Macho to return to AFF, so we could give him the extra support he needed to refocus his energy and improve his quality of life.
Initially, we hoped his spinning might be tied to the stresses of living in a busy home, but it quickly became clear that the behavior went deeper. Our dedicated training team jumped into action, working alongside our veterinarian and a veterinary behaviorist to put together a personalized plan designed to help Macho succeed.
Through a combination of veterinary-prescribed medication and consistent training, Macho’s journey toward a healthier life began. The goal was simple: redirect his energy into positive, soothing habits and teach him new coping skills. One of these skills is “Go to your spot,” a calming action he practices whenever he feels stressed. By giving him a positive behavior to fall back on, we’re helping Macho learn to comfort himself in healthier ways. He’s also been introduced to his “binky,” a squishy orange ball he loves to chew on for self-soothing.
Training is a big part of Macho’s daily routine. He’s learning impulse control exercises like waiting at doors, sitting calmly instead of jumping on people, and being rewarded for maintaining his composure. To keep his mind engaged, he also enjoys food puzzles, raw knuckle bones, and frozen lick mats, which provide healthy mental stimulation when his “staff” is busy.
But don’t worry—Macho’s life isn’t all work and no play! He still gets to have plenty of fun doing all the things dogs love, like playing with his doggie friends in group settings, going into town for outings, taking long walks, and participating in group training classes.
Macho is a quick learner, and we’re so proud of the progress he’s making. His journey isn’t over yet, and there is still work to be done, but with his joy and resilience, we know he’s headed in the right direction. We hope you’ll follow along with Macho’s story and cheer him on as he continues to grow into the wonderful and loving dog we all know he can be.
Follow along with us as we continue to share Macho’s journey.
