Beretta’s Story: The Dog Who Changed Everything
Written by Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Photo shows Beretta, her younger self.
In 2013, Beretta came into my life through a Craigslist ad. At the time, I wasn’t yet a full-time professional dog trainer, but had trained other dogs in the past for agility and manners. When her previous owner described her as "shy" around people and other dogs, I thought little of it. My overly confident, younger self believed I could handle it.
My now-husband, eager to bring her home, drove all the way to Texas to pick her up. But when he FaceTimed me during the trip, I knew immediately that something wasn’t right. Beretta wasn’t just shy, she was terrified. I asked him repeatedly if he was sure about her. He was. And so, home she came.
The entire ride back to Mississippi, Beretta refused to get out of the car to use the bathroom. She sat quietly in the backseat, interacting with my husband only to take the occasional French fry. Once home, it took a lot of patience, and some risk of being bitten, to get her out of the car and into our apartment. Once inside, she pressed herself against the couch, growling and trembling, completely unwilling to interact.
For the next three months, Beretta would slink behind my husband when he was home, rarely acknowledging me. She didn’t get along with our older dog, Booski, which meant keeping them separated for safety when we weren’t around. We were overwhelmed and out of our depth, so we reached out to a certified animal behaviorist for help.
The behaviorist’s recommendation? Euthanasia.
It was devastating. Beretta had never bitten anyone. Sure, she barked, growled, and lunged, but we hadn’t even started training her yet! Something inside me said it was too soon to make this choice. However, the behaviorist’s opinion was Beretta could never be the dog we wanted. We decided to try everything we could before even considering that option.
A Puzzle with Missing Pieces
As time went on, I began to notice things about Beretta that didn’t add up. She was incredibly clumsy, often bumping into furniture as if she didn’t feel or notice it. She barked at people and dogs, no matter how far away they were, but also at random objects in the distance. Training sessions left her frustrated and frantic, as if she was throwing out behaviors in desperation to find the “right” answer. She was labeled many things over the years by colleagues I asked for advice. I was told she lacked impulse control, she was frustrated, and she had me “figured out.”
One night during a walk, a distant voice triggered an extreme reaction. Beretta spun in circles, barking and lunging in every direction, unable to locate the source of the noise. Her panic was so intense I had to rush her back inside. That moment stuck with me. Something felt different - off.
We worked tirelessly with her. Slowly, she formed a bond with Booski and even became her close friend. But every training and management step felt like climbing a steep mountain.
Multiple vets found nothing physically wrong with Beretta. We tried anti-anxiety medication at the recommendation of a well-meaning vet, but the dosage was so high she was left drooling and staring blankly at the fireplace. This couldn’t be the only solution. Eventually, we saw a vet behaviorist, who did get Beretta on an appropriate medication and provided us with a training plan. However, we were told this is as good as it gets for dogs like her. That this was probably her genetics. She would need lifetime management, training, and muzzling. So, we settled on this answer and went back to living our lives, assuming we could only minimize Beretta’s struggles so much.
Years passed, and while Beretta made progress through training, management, and love, I was always left wondering if something deeper was at play.
When we moved to the farm, her stress levels decreased significantly. She thrived in the wide-open spaces, even with the constant flow of people and dogs at my training facility. Her barking subsided, and our vets marveled at her calm demeanor during visits. New vets often asked why she was muzzled.
But then, her eyes started to change. They became milky and white. She seemed to be going blind. ”Just cataracts”, or so we were told. Hoping to restore her vision, we sought out a specialist for surgery. Months of waiting led to a heartbreaking discovery: Beretta’s vision wasn’t just impaired, it was completely gone. It had been completely gone for sometime and the specialist couldn’t believe it had been missed until she was 10 years old.
Well, That Explains A Lot
The specialist revealed that Beretta had progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a genetic condition that gradually causes blindness. A DNA test confirmed the exact type: PRA-prcd. Her vision had likely been deteriorating since she was a young adult dog, possibly as early as 2 years old.
Suddenly, her life made sense. Her clumsiness, her panic at distant noises, her frantic attempts during training sessions - it all fit. She had been navigating a world that was increasingly confusing and difficult to interpret, yet she never gave up.
Beretta taught me more than any course or seminar ever could. She showed me the resilience of dogs and the importance of digging deeper when a dog’s behavior seems unexplainable.
Her story highlights a critical issue in the world of dog behavior: many dogs are labeled as “aggressive” or “untrainable” when, in reality, they’re struggling with physical or medical challenges. How many dogs are euthanized every year because no one stopped to ask, “Why is this happening?”
While PRA-prcd isn’t treatable, other conditions are. Early intervention, thorough medical evaluations, and a willingness to dig deeper can make the difference between life and death for so many dogs.
A Life Well Lived
Beretta is still with us today, living her best life on the farm. She doesn’t need her vision to enjoy her days filled with smells, sounds, and love. She’s taught me to never stop questioning, to never stop learning, and most importantly, to always advocate for the dogs who can’t advocate for themselves.
If you’re struggling with your dog’s behavior and wondering if there’s more to the story, know that sometimes the answers lie beneath the surface, waiting for someone to look a little closer. Beretta’s story is proof that even the most challenging dogs can teach us lessons we’ll carry for a lifetime.
Photo shows Beretta with her snuffle mat.
If Beretta’s story resonates with you, and you’ve been struggling to understand your own dog’s behavior, you’re not alone. Sometimes the answers aren’t obvious.
I offer Behavior Guidance Calls to help uncover the "why" behind your dog's behavior and provide actionable steps tailored to your unique situation. Whether it’s reactivity, aggression, or behaviors that just don’t make sense, I’ll work with you to create a plan that makes life better for both you and your dog.
Don’t wait for things to escalate. Reach out today and take the first step toward understanding and helping your dog thrive. Click here to schedule your Behavior Guidance Call and let’s find the answers together.
Disclaimer: I am a professional dog trainer and certified dog behavior consultant, but I am not a veterinarian. The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian regarding any medical concerns you may have about your dog’s health. If you suspect your dog is in pain or experiencing discomfort, seek the guidance of a licensed veterinary professional for proper assessment and treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking veterinary advice.
