Real-life case stories about dogs who bite, nip, snap or use their teeth towards people or other dogs. See what may be behind the behaviour and how I have helped dogs and their families reduce the risk and build trust.
Why is Kaloo becoming increasingly aggressive towards the family? It is a difficult situation for Kaloo, a Newfoundland. Until recently he lived with another Newfie and their male owner. Recently they moved in with a lady who has two Springer Spaniels and two children, so two ‘packs’ are merging. Adjusting Read more
At five months old one would expect a puppy to tear about, to get easily excited and especially to chew things.
Bit by bit the bucket fills until it is near overflowing and just one more drop will cause it to flow over. The slightest thing can then cause the dog to fly off the handle. This is why some dogs seem ‘unpredictable’. How they handle something they may meet one day when the bucket isn’t full to overflowing will be different to how they react to the same thing another day when it’s brim full.
Why does excitable young Lucy keep jumping up and nipping people? Jumping Lucy is the most endearing little dog. She is a seven month old Whippet/Cocker Spaniel mix, with a whippet body and cocker spaniel ears – and bounce! With this breed combination one would not expect her to be slow and placid! Mix Read more
Why has Belle become confused and protective since her owner’s boyfriend moved in? Belle is just fifteen months old and has lived alone with her lady owner until a week or so ago. She is a mix of Rottweiler, Labrador and Collie, though looks mainly Rottie. Here she is with Read more
Can giving dogs everything they want actually make them more stressed rather than happier? Here are Frazer and Spencer. Frazer (the nearer one) is a Poodle/Bichon Frise mix – a Poochon! Spencer is a Bichon Frise. It’s easy to see why little curly haired white dogs are spoilt. Their mannerisms are Read more
Can reducing stress and confrontation really transform a difficult young dog? Today I visited Baxter again – the delinquent young Rottweiler I wrote about a few days ago. I must confess I was feeling a little apprehensive on the way there, knowing what a big undertaking this is going to be Read more
Why does Badger bite the man in the family while everyone else is safe? Badger is a beautiful 17-month old blue merle Border Collie. He bites his male owner. Everyone else is safe. It was interesting to see just how much of Badger’s day was ruled by Badger’s wishes. Like Read more
Why is Ben so demanding, possessive and difficult to settle in his busy family home? Ben, a somewhat mixed up two-year-old English Bull Terrier, lives in a busy household with four generations of people. Grandad is very old and uses a walking stick around the house that Ben dangerously likes Read more
This evening I have been to see two beautiful dogs – a lurcher and an ex-racing greyhound who came from Ireland three years ago. And a red hen! The hen lives in the house with the dogs. She roosts on the arm of the lady’s chair. They are all treated Read more