The bad experience was imprinted on his developing brain and Neo developed an attitude with every black Labrador he and owner Claire Askell met.
Now, his brain is being rewired by Wānaka’s Dr Dog, Matt Gunn, so Neo can achieve his potential as a intelligent and well-behaved pet.
"I really love helping people get to the next step with their dogs ... With modern techniques we are creating positive dogs that look to us for instruction," Mr Gunn said.
Mr Gunn will be talking about the "Dr Dog Way" at the Wānaka A&P Show today and tomorrow. His presentation begins both days at 11.30am in the Upper Clutha Rugby Rooms in the middle of Wānaka’s showground reserve.
Although Mr Gunn and Neo are a frequent sight in Ardmore St, where Neo is being socialised, Neo will not be at the show.
"The set-up is not about giving a practical demonstration.
"It is about sharing insights. I am not saying my way is the only way. It is not. There are lots of things that people do. But people can often set themselves up for a hard time or failure," Mr Gunn said.
Mr Gunn has been working with dogs for 23 years, successfully creating the avalanche search dog teams that work at Cardrona and Treble Cone skifields.
He has shifted his focus and joined New Zealand Land Search and Rescue’s trainer group, working to develop land search dogs.
He began Dr Dog about three years ago and loves every minute of his new business.
"I have not done work with farm dogs but I do get to work with ex-farm dogs who, in a lot of cases, have to adjust to real life," he said.
Some retired farm dogs had led a very controlled, working lifestyle and did not know how to play, he said.
The critical formative period for a dog’s brain was between 4and 16 weeks old, when it was developing neural pathways it would rely on for the rest of its life.
Three main reasons why dogs behaved poorly were the lack of a den, too much free time and poor routines, hesaid.
Good dogs were created through strong bonding and nurturing their desire to please.
