Outdated bad advice
A trainer had advised them to cover Pete’s crate and leave him to cry. It was hot weather!
The same trainer advised on walks to ‘hold him tight to make him heel’.
Why does a dog that runs happily with others still react to them on walks? They had two German Shorthaired Pointers, Douglas and Gracie with which the couple did Canicross. Sadly, Gracie developed cancer, had to have a leg amputated and can no longer run. Four months ago they adopted 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
A walk should be a joyful occasion for them. Marley even tries to avoid going out with one of the family members on account of her lack of patience. She gets cross and uses physical restraint and control. It is so understandable, because trying to walk with pulling reactive dogs can be incredibly frustrating when you don’t know any other way. It becomes a battle. It was the same for me many years ago, so I understand.
All the usual things like toilet training and jumping up, the best sort of nutrition for the puppy and walking happily on a loose lead, but also preempting future possible problems from ever developing like guarding behaviours, fear of other dogs and running off.
Benjie is a big barker for attention. Bella is a guarder – she guards resources from Benjie. Following some fights where the lady has been bitten when splitting them up, they can’t be left with toys or chews any more.
Could a worried, reactive dog rediscover the happy, confident personality you remember? Cockerpoo Algie who I went to see two months ago is coming along beautifully. The growling is infrequent and only when Algie is feeling uncomfortable; he can now trust his humans to help him out. The lady has Read more
A couple of months ago I visted Belle, Rottweiller Labrador cross, and the situation was particularly difficult for her because she had been side-lined due to the lady’s personal circumstances Now the lady’s life is back to normal, and because she is having difficulty walking Belle without her pulling and Read more
Jasper and Poppy are Beardie/German Shepherd mixes. They look entirely different though, and their personalities are completely different too. Poppy is dark and largely Shepherd, and Jasper is pale and much more like a Beardie to look at. Poppy is just eight months old, and Jasper is eleven years old. Read more
I am just back from an enjoyable visit. I will call the lady Sally. She has two entire male Rhodesian Ridgebacks – big dogs and a lot of testosterone! On edge They are well behaved and friendly in the house on the whole, though because of their size visitors may Read more