ILFC

I understand you are talking about "you" and what "you" would or might do as was requested you do. However, I think it would be fairly clearly understood that unless you're ever in the situation where you need to care, manage and train a "special needs" (so to speak - I'm sure there's a better description) dog, I doubt that anyone could really know. And you might find that although some social activities might need to be curtailed to whatever extent, there are other factors such as learning; rejoicing in the successful and progressive steps of rehabilitation; challenges; etc. that will counter a perceived loss of social interaction with others and their dogs - interaction that doesn't necessarily mean "none" but perhaps simply "controlled". This is not to suggest I wish for everyone to have the experience of a dog with issues - but I can vouch that when or if you do, there is the possibility for something different, something at a much deeper level, that you can come to understand and share with your dog. Yep- I agree with you Enry and as you said, I was talking about what I would do (in answer to a question by someone else). But the sheer effort and stress involved is so hard- even with Grover's SA- which is under control the minute we remember our leadership roles. That's probably what I'm thinking- if I can't even handle that- how could I manage an agression problem? I think it gets easier with practise? as we easily stepped up our leadership this time and the barking has greatly reduced already. Maybe that's how I would handle a DA problem. What I would find easier is making a conscious decision to take on a dog with problems- I would be committed from the start. What I would find very upsetting (and many poor people have posted about this) is their dog developing agression from being attacked for example. I would have to put in the work- but I know myself- I would be very stressed about it.

People agression- I would PTS- after seeking many opinions and trying everything I can. If I caused it- I would be sick at heart and be extremely unlikely to get another dog. DA; I would have to deal with what I had, I suppose. Try my best, consult professions; whatever it took. I would not rehome or PTS. However, i would be very upset and actually devasted (judging by my reactions with Grover's separation anxiety). If I took on the dog as a rescue, I would not feel guilty at all (as to causing the DA). If I had a dog that developed it- yes I would feel guilty and try my hardest to overcome or modify the behaviour. I don't know if I would enjoy my dog as much though- a lot of what we do with Grover is social and you would have to be so careful. It would be tiring.

Glad I gave you a laugh. It's really not that funny when you're actually there, though! Nope! Not ever! I'd love to say yes, but it's just not going to happen for us, with or without the toy. Though he does have a few dogfriends that he is safe around, they are without exception very very submissive dogs with great "calming signals". He will never be able to be safely allowed offleash in a bunch of strange dogs, since he simply can't cope with normal canine interaction. The last few years I have been concentrating on teaching him to ignore other dogs and focus on me instead. We've currently started competitive obedience classes and are doing great working on or offleash, a reasonable distance away from other well controlled dogs, so that strategy seems to be working fine for us. However, his improved focus does not mean he's any safer with strange dogs if I let him freely mingle with them and decide how he wants to behave with them (yes, that's the voice of sad experience talking there...) If he gets an opportunity to start a fight, he normally takes it. To be safe around other dogs, his focus needs to be on me. My goal is to have him be able to focus on me and work even if we are encountered by slightly rude or pushy dogs (not genuinely threatening dogs, just ones that might normally tempt him to launch an attack, e.g ones that sniff his butt, get close to his face, etc). I take my hat off to you ! I could not manage this situation at all- I simply do not have the skills- so well done. It sounds like you have done and are doing a lot of hard work. I'm also sad for you; it must be quite stressful at times. One question I would love to know the answer to is; why do some dogs over dominate when faced with an extremely submissive dog? e.g. dog has rolled over, is licking at the face of the dominant one but the dominant dog e.g. growls or humps the submissive one?

Sometimes the constant costs of behaviouralists are prohibitive too. I understand their pricing and believe that you get what you pay for (and I am very happy with ours) but it may not be an option for some people. However, we would have made zero progress on Grover's problems without one and she even recommended us to a great vet. The costs of the visits and medications are quite high though. Not everyone can factor these kind of costs in when they buy a dog. We didn't even know that these kind of issues existed before Grover so would have had great difficulty in planning for them.

Well, I take my hat off to anyone dealing with agression issues. I find separation anxiety issues bad enough. So so true though about concentrating on that problem alone; once I let go of thinking that Grover could still progress towards obedience trialling our progress has been fantastic.

Will chopping them into bites sized portions help- so I can use this packet? I'll try turkey though. I'd thought there'd be less bones in the necks that's all. I have to be careful with bones due to his LP. There is no throat closing mechanism in his throat when he eats as it has been tied back in the op.

Just bought some chicken necks to try with Grover. They are fed raw aren't they?

Ooohhh! Which one? am so jealous! They'll be great. Mum is so lovely- I hope you show her Lilli- great dog.

Luka- please keep us updated on your pup. I love hearing about the Central Asian Shepherds!

"Kids are kids" would have to be the biggest cop out that I ever hear- and it is constant. You have to train both children and animals and follow up on what you say. That's when they start listening to you. Otherwise get their hearing checked. If I was the OP- I would allocate a safe place inside for the dog to sleep and have time out. Dog outside when you feel you can't supervise and never let the dog/baby unsupervised. Having a dog and baby is not easy- no one would have said it was. Most dogs aren't Lassie; the perfect baby sitter- they will nip, stand on babies, play too rough etc. It's about setting up the dog and baby for success. In this case prevention is better than cure.

Shoemonster- I love reading about your journey- keep us updated. Good luck :D

Yeah- I think she came to get me through some lonely times; saw i was right now and she could go. Some things are random but i believe getting her was not. Sadly missed but out of pain now.

Some good points were shared. However; it is a forum where people can share opinions. Also, it is the internet- people post under user names. This is a genuine question= How do you know people are who they say they are? Like, if they say they are a trainer- how do you know they are and how do you know they are a good one? Bad title though.

Bilby- lovely puppa!!!! Can't wait to meet her. Grover says hi!

She was very loved- I'm just glad she had her last years in love and peace. I only got to have her for four and a half years. She was very old- nearly 17.

Dear Molly, I felt sorry for you one day, that day you were so thin and unwanted, a stray cat. I took you home and you were so loving. When I was so alone, you were there. So many stories and memories- you were the wedding dowry for my marriage. We love you Molly Moo- you died in my arms tonight. So much to miss, our house and bed is empty without you. You were such a lovely cat for us and so very funny. Love you moo. At peace tonight.

Hi CTD- Josh is your flat coat right? How did he go with a baby puppy- you know how they are quite boisterous in play? I was wondering how I would manage Grover? as our backyard is not suitable for separation and I'm not crating a pup all day while I'm at work.

Grover would do this a lot. I distracted him by making him follow commands such as sit, come, on your bed. Believe it or not- it worked. The minute he started getting worked up- out came the lead and we did about 5mins of commands. This could distract your pup?????

Cheers- will be cutting down on bones then. What else can I give him that takes a long time to eat- like a bone. I've got Kongs etc.

What is this pancreatis thing? I'll now feed one about once a week. But what is it?

I'd love to but his LP is a concern-the marrow bones are great because they don't really splinter as such. He has to "grind" them down to eat them. Also, I worry about old, dry bones in the sun- as they may splinter. All comes back to managing his LP (laryngeal paralysis) and avoiding the dreaded AP.

It would be a quarter of a marrow bone every second day. At the most- he usually gets one if we go out at night.

Yeah- I kind of thought fat wise- and adjusted diet wise accordingly. But I am wondering....I really don't know about bones.

Local butcher (being a dog expert of course ) that too many marrow bones make your dog sick. As in, leave a bone out for at least a week as say a fresh one every two day is too much marrow for a dog. Then the marrow will make the dog sick. Is this true? I don't like old bones out in the yard.

love your dogs-crash test dummy-just checked out the youtube stuff-awesome. Where did you get Josh?