Is Your Dog Too Much For You?

Owing a dog is a big commitment. When you purchase that new addition, you need to think carefully about what you’re letting yourself in for. Make sure you research the breeds, consider the temperament and find out how big the dog will be when they’re fully grown.

I recently received a call from an owner with a seven month old German Shepherd who was making their lives a misery. Not only was he pulling excessively, he was reactive towards dogs. After an initial assessment lesson it was evident that he was more than they could handle. However, the thought of rehoming wasn’t a consideration.

The worrying thing was that despite my professional advise for a 1-2-1 training programme, they were adamant they wanted residential. Now the question was, do I take the dog knowing that I can train him or loss a client? I knew a short stay with me was pointless. Two weeks intense training would have improved his behaviour but only with me. As one of the owners is eighty years old and the other over loves the dog, it was important to work with the owners and the dog together, rather than the dog alone. They’d already not walked him for three weeks, so expecting a miracle in two weeks was impossible.

The important message from this blog is firstly, seriously consider the breed and size of dog you buy. Secondly, manage your expectations and listen to your trainer. Whilst the client wanted to pay me good money for residential, I knew that wasn’t the answer. Unfortunately, they will seek residential training from someone who will take the money and not consider the future problems.

If you are experiencing serious behavioural problems with your dog, then seeking professional advise is the way forward. If you listen to your trainer, they will help and you’ll see the benefits.

Feel free to contact me for more information on how I can help with correcting that unwanted behaviour.

Posted: August 3, 2022