Fred5

Hi Janet,

How have you and Fred been getting on.

I bit the bullet yesterday and let Clio off the lead to play fetch. We have never attempted it before as i was scared of her seeing other dogs and running after them or just running off and not coming back. Someone once opened our back gate and we let Clio out without noticing and she ran off without a second look despite us shouting her. We followed her to the playing field where we stood for over an hour shouting her and her just completely ignoring us having the time of her life chasing birds and splashing in puddles!!!

Anyway yesterday I had a good look that there were no other dogs in sight and let her off. She was a bit surprised at first but was good as gold. When she had enough she came and lay at my feet waiting to be put back on the lead.

Speak to you soon

love Shona

I have the same problem with other dogs on leads and had a bit of a heated discussion on a forum on here.

I can just about get Clio to ignore other dogs on leads but when they are off and come running over to her its a different story. She just can't tolerate other dogs near her face or her bum!!! The owners then look at me as if I have the devil with me. The other day when one came over to us and Clio went for it the owner said "he will start fighting if she has a go at him first". More reason for her dog to be on the lead then!!

I have reverted back to her harness which she had when I got her as I hav better control of her when she starts to pull towards other dogs.

With regards to travel sickness she hasn't been sick in the past three journey's. I took the advice of two people on here and tried some herbal tablets which seem to have worked. On Sunday she ven had her brekkie before going and was still OK. She loves going in the car and will jump up to get in but she needs a helping hand as she can't get up over the lip of the boot. Going to try and longer journey this weekend so will let you know how we go on.

Take care

Love Shona

oh Janet i'm sorry to hear you had a setback.
here's what my instinct tells me. dogs need firm boundaries and i think that when you let fred up on the counch when you normally wouldnt have, he interpreted that as you backing down. you are the boss, but when you let him up on your level, he was confused as to his status in the 'pack'. naturally he wants to get a foot up in the heirarchy, so he claims his spot on the couch, then defends it with his teeth. all pretty normal for a wolf brain but it doesnt translate well to modern day dog. you are obviously a concientious and loving dog owner, so you shouldnt feel guilty, whetever you decide to do. fred has problems that will take a long time to iron out and if you are not the person to do that for his whole life, than at least you have given him a solid foundation. sometimes the old adage of "if you love someone you have to let them go" is too painfully true.
just as an afterthought..is he neutered? and do you know his story before he came to you? my dad's a gundog trainer and i'm seeing him at the weekend so i'l see what he says too. i hope that didnt sound patronising! i'm no expert, your story just struck a cord...and i wish i could wave a wand & make him all better! best wishes, tori

Sorry to hear about your problems with Fred.

Like I have said before, Clio still doesn't like other dogs so I know how much of a pain it can be when you just want a relaxing walk and a chat with other dog owners without having to cross over because it looks like you have the dog from hell with you (She is currently crying and growling at dog on the TV on the dog whisperer!!!!!).

I can't imagine how hard it must be if your dog is like that with people as well. Clio has never gone for a person.

As you can see from her web page I am trying to regularly walk her with her best friend Jess in the hope that she will see that Jess doesn't react to other dogs and may follow her example. I know it is pure fear with Clio rather that aggression as she is perfectly OK with Jess and will ignore other dogs if she is somewhere where she is not familiar with and there are better things to look and sniff at.

I've had her for 3 years now and am still trying new things with her. She is 100% better than she was but I have accepted she will never be how I woud have liked her to be if I has her from a puppy. So chin up and don't lose faith but on the other hand don't feel a failure if Fred just won't adapt. You will never be sure what he experienced before he came to you and like you said he may need more specialised help than you can offer.

hiya, just wanted to say i found your page really intresting. dogs behaviour is sometimes such a puzzle. i read a really good book years ago that helped me with tink (he was once a very naughty dog!) its called 'inside a dogs mind', by bruce fogle. it's all about pack behaviour and why dogs do what they do. might be worth a look in your local library or check amazon. we all become experts with our own dogs but when you are confronted with a new or strange beast all the theory in the world goes out the window!! how i wish i could understand dog speak or just hear their thoughts for a while!! best wishes to you and yours, tori and the furry tribe.

Bolton in Lancashire so probably about an hour and a half away. Up to now Clio can manage about 30 mis in car without barfing.

I'm going to try the herbal remedy that a few people on the site have recommended so we can venture a little further.

Once we have cracked the travelling we would love to meet up and try and get Clio and Fred friends.

Its interesting as Clio will play off the lead with my Mums dog with no problem, it's just that I'm too scared to let her off the lead with strange dogs incase she turns so it would be ideal if we can meet with someone else who would be willing to let her try and get alog off the lead.

Hiya Janet,

Had a good day today with Clio. See her message to Fred rather than me repeating myself. I've been looking at your photos of Bolton abbey. Looks like a good day out with the pooches.

May have a look how far it is from me and put it on one of our car rides out. Trying to increase the length of journeys as Clio has to travel for nearly two and a half hours in July when she goes on her first jolly hols.

I have recieved Freds pet request and accepted. It says Clio is now friend with Fred but he does not appear on Clio's friend list.

She's not ignoring him.....honest.

I'll get her to send Fred a request and see if it works the other way round.