Why had River and Charlie’s fighting escalated? River and Charlie are fighting. They have two black male Working Cockers. River and Indie are 13 and have been together since they were puppies. Charlie, a Springer cross is 10 joined the other two a couple of years ago. Lost his hearing Read more
Why do two dogs that usually get on suddenly start fighting each other? Olive and boy Frankie are both two years old. Olive has had a litter with Frankie and they have kept one – girl Pip, four months old. Hyped up This case is all about arousal. The little Read more
Why does Alfie scream at other dogs when he is on lead but cope off lead? Super friendly little Miniature Schnauzer Alfie just loves people. Not other dogs. Sometimes he ignores dogs. Other times goes nuts at a distant dog the other side of the park. He shrieks and screams. Read more
Why was Tilly beginning to growl at the children? Tilly, a 16-month-old Labrador, lives in a family with three children age 5, 10 and 13. Their dilemma is whether Tilly is the right dog for their family, and whether they are the right people for their well-loved dog. They ‘got Read more
Why do young puppies chase feet and grab clothes when people walk around the house? An emergency visit to another biting puppy! The young couple have had eight-week-old Springer Spaniel puppy for just four days. His flying at them and grabbing legs and clothes as they walk about has reached Read more
Why might a young dog be depressed, withdrawn and lacking enthusiasm for life? Poor Dexter seems depressed. He lacks confidence and is scared of many things. They told me he had Cocker Spaniel and Shar Pei in him but I would guess Staffie and Labrador. He has some characteristics I’ve Read more
Why would a previously friendly small dog suddenly become defensive and reactive after a couple of bad encounters with other dogs? Poor little Teddy is now on the defensive. He is very small, weighing only about 5kg. The three-year-old is a cross between a Shih Tzu and, surprisingly, a Border Read more
Winston’s taxing behaviours are all symptoms of the same thing. I would call it mainly lack of motivation. He’s not being stubborn for the sake of it.
Acting ‘stubborn’ gets results. He is under-stimulated both mentally and physically.
Why would a dog work for food when food is already freely available all day long? The smallest food reward is of value and an incentive to any of my own dogs, but not to the dear little Bichon Maltese mix I went to yesterday. Two-year-old Doug lives with an elderly Read more
The problem with trying to ‘discipline’ an unruly dog is that it’s all about preventing the dog from doing unwanted things in a ‘disciplinarian’ sort of way which implies being confrontational. A confrontational approach can generate an aggressive response in a strong-minded dog. ‘Discipline’ does not teach the desired, other, preferred behaviours.