23/07/2023
Such an important read 🥰
PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR TRAINER CAREFULLY
For the last couple of months, I have been working with a lovely puppy and his owner to identify the cause of his extreme puppy biting, stopping on walks, and barking at other dogs.
Including me, this dog has had 3 trainers in 4 months.
The owner had been told the dog is trying to dominate her, is naughty, stubborn and needs to be put in his place. Using a shock collar to get the dog moving was another suggestion given to the owner. Thankfully that never happened.
Given the severity of the biting and the dogs’ behaviour on a walk, the first thing we did was to get a vet involved and assess the dog for any underlying medical conditions. This involved a blood test, stool & urine samples, and an x-ray.
Unfortunately, a diagnosis of severe hip dysplasia came back which explained everything.
The dog wasn’t being stubborn, he was in pain. He wasn’t being naughty; he was frustrated about being sore. He wasn’t barking at other dogs because he was top dog, he was barking at them to stay away.
Since the diagnosis we have changed many things. Reduced walks, non-slip rugs, steps, raised beds, pain medication, hydrotherapy and removal of some activities that were causing him pain. I’m pleased to say that the puppy is doing much better, and the owner is more relaxed.
We still have work to do but most importantly, we have a reason for the dogs’ behaviour.
Now imagine the dog’s quality of life if his owner had taken the advice from the other trainers. The dog would have been left in pain and punished for that pain. Not only would this be incredibly cruel to the dog, but it would have been a ticking timebomb and his behaviour would have deteriorated as his condition worsened.
When choosing a dog trainer, please check their reviews, qualifications and social media for any advice/training videos they post. Question them about their training methods, what happens if the dog gets it wrong and what affect pain/medical issues can have on your dog’s behaviour?
A reputable and ethical trainer will welcome these questions and your dog will thank you for it.