When Bo erupts into barking as soon as the bell rings, is he being territorial — or overwhelmed by a chain of sounds that signal something worrying is about to happen? Bo reacts with fearful barking when a guest visits their flat. Bo has lived with the couple since he Read more
Why would a dog that seems friendly at home suddenly bark and lunge at people on walks? I have just met another Henry – a Miniature Schnauzer age two. He is quite unusual to look at, being brown and with a poodle-like curly coat. Cute! Henry was barking behind a door Read more
What happens when a dog meant to give confidence is still unsure about people? The young owner and her dog have a special partnership. Her aim is for the 21-month-old Beagle, Lulu, to become her trained assistance dog, particularly giving her confidence where meeting people when out is concerned. A Read more
Why would a small dog bark and nip at people’s legs when they move around the house? Little Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund, Ziggy, is scared of people he doesn’t know coming to his house. Particularly if they are standing up and even more so if they are walking about. He Read more
How do former street dogs adjust to life inside a quiet family home? The two Romanian Street dogs I have just visited are doing magnificently as are their new custodians, a couple with a large open home, marble floors and furniture! Everything is different and it’s not surprising that they Read more
The lady I have just visited feels her latest dog is a challenge. Why does one dog react calmly to other dogs one day but bark and lunge at them the next? Doberman Maddie’s owner has had several Dobermans but never one quite like two-year-old Maddie. I think she must have been Read more
Holly quite well illustrates the difference between Romanian street dogs that are used to being around people, and other dogs that are coming from the same part of the world but have been living wild – feral dogs not used to humans. These feral dogs are a lot harder to settle and there have been some heartbreaking stories of failed homings.
Why do some dogs seem frightened by almost everything around them? German Shepherd Cora is a four-year-old ‘failed’ police dog. Who knows what her puppyhood was and what essential socialising she missed out on? Like so many German Shepherds I go to, she is reactive to people coming to the Read more
I took him to the front door but only when he was ready to come willingly, and opened it. We didn’t go out immediately – just stood there, waiting for him to relax. The lady and gentleman stayed behind in the hallway, watching.
I then stepped out a couple of steps, turned around with a bit of verbal encouragement and walked straight back in through the door again. I must have done this about ten times. Now Jack was visibly relaxing – particularly as there had been nothing other than a passing car to worry about and he barely looked at it. He was beginning to trust me – just a little.
How can Olive learn to cope with walks again after eighteen months without them? Olive is uncontrollable on walks. She is a large cross between an English Mastiff and probably a Rottweiler. She is a lovely girl – gentle and biddable at home – perhaps a bit anxious sometimes. She Read more