 |
| Not a bad statue to sleep under |
This week has been more eventful than most. The demon hound is the most challenging dog I have ever known, gorgeous and irresistible but determined and willful. Throw in a stubborn for good measure. He has shown some aggression over his bed, toys, food and his gleefully stolen items, he also got to be scarily annoyed at the dog he saw in the mirror.
Afraid that he would hurt someone I took the rather expensive option of hiring a dog trainer. Dog trainers, I have discovered, are like doulas: nobody wants to pay what they are asking but the investment could be a lot less costly than the alternative.
Harry happened to have a vet appointment on the day the trainer was coming and I expressed my concerns to the vet who said he saw a slightly anxious dog who would probably respond very well to training, it was a little bit of light in a situation I was finding very dark.
The trainer, Les, came and fixed his intense stare on each one of us in turn, told a lot of dramatic dog stories and made what I felt were unnecessary comments on dog nutrition. He talked about dog psychology and told us that we have to show Harry exactly where he fits in the family pack. We wondered why he stayed for two hours when he could have covered the material in half the time. I later realised that he spent his two hours mostly supervising us while we demonstrated our ability to stick with his program.
He left us with a list of instructions for the week and we have followed them quite diligently most of the time. Trying to maintain consistent discipline with a large and determined dog is worse than trying to wrangle a toddler and it has taken constant effort from everyone.We haven't got the perfect dog yet, he just now stole a half lemon from the rubbish and growled when we tried to retrieve it from the floor but I am no longer terrified and I feel we have the tools to make more progress. Indoor peeing has stopped (thank heavens for that, big dogs do big pees!) kitchen raids have slowed and barking is more often a token protest than a continuous annoyance. I am also seeing a lot more happy, forward ears on Harry.
In the middle of all this, I attended one of the most demanding births I have been to and the first to end with a caesarean. My client had a number of people supporting her and they all collapsed in tears as she was wheeled to surgery, emotionally exhausted by watching her experience of labour. My role finished at 1am and I needed to get a lift home but not wanting to disturb anyone I found a bench style seat in the hospital foyer which made a good bed for a few hours. I am inordinately proud of this discovery and look forward to improving it with the addition of a borrowed pillow if I am ever in the same situation again.
 |
| Wet weather hound |
Having a difficult dog at home can be very frustrating and you have done the right thing by hiring a trainer. I had suggested the same to a new dog owner friend here who refused to heed my advice and is still struggling with his dog's unruly behaviour. I wish you all the best. A well trained dog at home is a priceless addition.
ReplyDeleteSome of the trainer's stories centred around unruly dogs who eventually caused a lot of trouble. I didn't want it to get to that point.
DeleteHe is a lovely boy and he will be a priceless addition if we just give him the opportunity to get there
I am sorry to hear about a difficult birth ending in a caesarean, and not at all surprised tears were shed. Hospital waiting rooms are quite often used by some of our homeless as a warm, safe place to sleep. I understand the police have even suggested it from time to time.
ReplyDeleteYay for dog training. And progress.
EC, I found it hard to watch but my client was happy with her experience which just goes to show that respect and autonomy are more important than technical details.
DeleteThinking about it, hospitals are open all hours and to all comers so it's a great place to shelter
My dog is ugly as a sin and dumb as a post. She was a fighter at first until she learned I will give her her space until she encroaches on mine; then the battle of wills begins. I am meaner than her and not afraid of her teeth.
ReplyDeleteHer only real fault is she is jealous of the grandson when he is getting my attention. She is a bitch after all.
I knew without being told that you would have your dog under good control. How about the grandson?
DeleteWe have a "difficult" dog, or I should say had one. We paid a trainer a huge wad of cash since she came to us as an aggressive dog. After about 2 days we could tell her to get on her "spot" (different from her bed) and she would obey. It was the best money we have ever spent and now I can literally take food out of her mouth or take any toy from her with zero aggression.
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know! Harry is not there yet but moving closer
DeleteI'm not a pet person (my lifestyle in later years has precluded having a pet anyway) but I know many people who are. I also know someone who used to train dog owners. I thought that fitted in with what you said. I wish that some of my friends with dogs could get some training!
ReplyDeleteI think many dog owners do their best but unless you understand how to interact with a dog in a way they understand, you are really just counting on luck so yes, train ALL the owners
DeleteI meant to add that I really loved the statue.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, isn't it? There was a wall hanging as well but i didnt have a camera and google doesn't have a picture
DeleteGood luck taming your wild acquisition! It sounds as if you're making progress.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, that's a wonderful statue.
Thanks Nick! we are, indeed, progressing. Sometimes though I dont want progress, I want "easy"
DeleteYou might recall that our blue heeler, Bonnie, would bite. I never imagined that I would put up with a biting dog, but she was also incredibly sensitive, and could be wilted by the least sign of disapproval, at least from me. She was nothing if not a walking contradiction, and I'll never stop missing her.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to put up with a biting dog but I pretty quickly realised that there are not a lot of options.
DeleteI know Bonnie was the light of your life and I'm sorry she has gone