previously and the owner couldn't cope with him so he was taken in for
re-homing.When Mukka first arrived home he was a little unconfident and hated being told off but was generally a friendly and well behaved dog. He walked well on the lead and got on well with both dogs and people.
The first signs of trouble appeared when Mukka (aged about 18 months) started to bully other dogs. It was a problem that crept up on us as previously he'd got on well other dogs and was very social. Unfortunately it was sporadic and I couldn't see a pattern to it so I always gave him the benefit of the doubt. At first it was more rough and tumble where he'd roll the other dog over (usually smaller or younger dogs) without trying to bite them. Unfortunately the problem worsened and on two occasions he has bitten dogs and the wounds have needed stitching. He was also becoming a lot more dominant in the house and would behave aggressively to strangers coming through the door although he was still always friendly to people he knew. On one occasion he bit a woman in the arm.
I realised how unreliable he had become and that we were in serious need of help. I found details of Safepets through the internet and we attended a one day assessment where we met Debbie. She told us Mukka was not psychotic but that he saw himself as the dominant male in the house and we were given some exercises and suggestions about how to demote him eg. not allowing him free reign of the house.
We practiced the exercises and arranged for a two week residential retraining course. I was very worried about leaving Mukka at the kennels for two weeks (we had not left him at kennels previously) but I was reassured by my first update where Debbie told me Mukka was a big softy and was already rolling over for her to rub his tummy (a privilege not granted to just anyone!).
However, I was also told that Mukka had terrible obedience problems and that he'd only do as he was asked when he wanted to and would do the minimum to avoid being told off.
Debbie has done a brilliant job on Mukka's obedience and general responsiveness. However, the most impressive change in Mukka's behaviour is meeting people coming through the front door. Previously Mukka had tried to guard the door and terrorised strangers when they entered the house. Lots of door training by Debbie and a continuation of this training at home has greatly improved this behaviour. He is also a lot friendlier to people outside the house.
However, we still have a problem where Mukka sometimes growls at strange dogs
which we are continuing to work on. I realise that I cannot trust him with
unfamiliar dogs but it is my responsibility to take control of the situation and
to make Mukka realise that when I say 'leave' he does.