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Age: 9 Years Sex: Male Weight: 11-25 lbs
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Leave a bone for Dexter (in memory of)
Nicknames:
Mr.Tippy Toes, Buster Brown,Diablo, Shweetie
Doggie Dynamics:
| | | | | | | | | Energy | | | | | | Intelligence | | | | | | Friendliness | | | | | | Playfulness | | | | | | Disposition | | | |
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Sun Sign: 
Birthday:
March 29th 2004
Likes:
Run like Hell through the house with a shoe in his mouth
Pet-Peeves:
Doesn't like the hairbrush or comb
Favorite Toy:
Daddy's underwear
Favorite Food:
Liver Snaussages
Favorite Walk:
Capitola downtown
Best Tricks:
He can walk on his two hind legs like a circus dog we call him Mr. Tippy Toes.
Arrival Story:
Dexter was found on line. He traveled from Arizona to California and arrived all perky in his crate. He was so sweet the first day, but soon afterwards started to show us his real personality. He's smart and willful with a bad habit of lifting his upper lip in the most ugly fashion. He then proceeds to snap and growl hideously. We are trying hard to break him of this gnarly habit.
We have tried many training techniques. With the help of some private lessons we have make some great strides in Dexter's on leash behavior. He obeys various commands, such as sit, stay, down and come. He still has habits we haven't been able to break, such as jumping up on people and darting out of the house the second he finds a crack in a doorway. Dexter is very lovable and entertaining. Our problems lie with his aggressive behavior.
Bio:
This Dexter is an amazing dog. We love him so much. He is cute, sweet, affectionate and by far the brightest dog I've ever known. I, the mom of the family have no experience with handling an aggressive "alpha" dog. It was apparent from the first day that Dexter woud be a handful. I called the breeder on several occasions and all she could say, was "show him who's boss". I tried that. Tried all the techniques of pinning him down, using a shock collar and even tried the "gentle leader" which surprisingly aggitated him further. I called people form the Welsh Terrier Club of America and they advised me to contact my breeder and insist that she take him back and replace him. Well, that was not about to happen. Unfortunately, she had a reputation for not backing up her dogs after they left her kennel. If there was a problem with a dog, it was not hers, but that of the new owner. The WT Rescue members all had no help for me as they said that they didn't want to take him because they could not place aggressive dogs with new owners as they would present problems for them too. They told me that if our dog was biting and too aggressive, that he would have to eventually be put down. When Dexter bit me while brushing him, I phoned the breeder again and she relented. She said, "he sounds like he has a screw loose". Then she promised us a new puppy and that she would not take him back and that it was up to us to have him put down. Well, I then looked on line for more resources because even if I was getting a new puppy, I couldn't just dispose of Dexter. I then found a wonderful woman who had many years of Welsh Terrier ownership and rescues. She advised me of some new training techniques to use with Dexter and I found them to be pretty effective. So when the new puppy, Greta came along I kept them both. They played well together and seemed to both be so happy. Then I noticed that Dexter was extra sensitive along the left side of his neck and there sere som scabs there also. I figured out that Greta would nibble at his neck as they raced around the yard. Dexter didn't seem to mind it, but would not allow us to touch the area without growling and snarling. I decided to try to keep the two dogs separated for a while until it healed.
Then there was that fateful day the last week of July. My daughter Andrea clled me at work pleading with me to come home as Dexter had bitten her twice and she had him pinned down and blood was dripping down her arm. I rushed home in a panic and put his grooming muzzle on and quickly ushered him into his kennel. I then consoled my daughter and helped her clean up her hands and got her story. She had been trying to corral Dexter by pulling on his collar which rubbed against his sore neck. This set him off and he bit her. I then got on the phone and called every shelter and rescue group and left all sorts of desperate messages. I received no help or recourse. I was extremely upset and worried for my daughter when I finally called my Vet and said that I would have to have Dexter put to sleep. I was rather irrational at the time. It was a Vet Tech who came to Dexter's rescue. She said that she wuld take him and I was so thankful and relieved. I truly believed at that time that there was no other recourse. I have cried a thousand tears of regret since that day. I have, and my husband has missed that dear dog so much. I have been in constant touch with Jane, our angel of mercy who took Dexter in. She probably cringes every time I call, and most assuredly thinks that I'm nuts. She has worked wonders with him and he has shown that he is a manageable dog. I still love and miss that dog and would do anything to have him back. I just recently found out that Dexter was returned form his last home and that Jane has him again. My husband asked that I request hem back on the contingency that he takes full responsibility for him and will take him with him all week as he works out of town three days a week. Jane was not comfortable with the idea of giving him back to us because I brought him in with the intention of putting him to sleep. I am hopng that she reconsiders. I was acting in the heat of the moment and will always regret it.
Forums Motto:
I promise to be a good boy!
The Groups I'm In:
Wayward Welshies
I've Been On Dogster Since:
| July 12th 2004 |
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More than 8 years! |
I Was In The:
 2004-2005 Holiday
Picture Party!
Rosette, Star and Special Gift History
Dogster Id:
49221
See all my Pup Pals
See all my Pup Pals
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October 23rd 2010 8:39 am
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Dexter had been a very difficult dog during all of his 6 years with us. He had become increasingly aggressive and cantankerous over the last few months. His behavior became threatening to our family's safety and welfare. It is with great sadness that we had to euthanize him yesterday. We truly loved him in spite of his faults and tried our best to work accommodate our lives around his unusual quirky behavior. We could not wash or brush him as he would growl and attempt to bite us. We could not have him anywhere in sight of the vacuum or any watering the garden as he would bark and grab the hoses frantically. His growling and aggressiveness escalated and progressed to unpredictable snapping at us with no provocation. We recently became afraid to even pet him. This is what led us to our decision to take him to the vet and have a discussion about what could help him. We came to the sad conclusion that he presented a danger to our family, friends and anyone he might encounter. We will miss the very cute and endearing aspects of his personality and the times he used to cuddle on our laps for hours.
October 16th 2005 8:57 am
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Wonders of all wonder, I can't believe it but, yes, I'm home again! I am one lucky dog! Yesterday I was reunited with my original owners. I was so nervous that I soiled my kennel, Lord forgive me! I'm quite shaggy and matted and look like a little vagabond, but I'll clean up well. That is, if you dare aproach me with a hairbrus! Grrr...nothing sets me off quite like a wire brush! Well, its gonna take some time, but I'll be back in jaunty form soon. Getting used to the little "boss", Greta, is my biggest challenge at hand. Yes, I'll get rid of my mats and excess fur and overgrown toenails, and I'll even re-gain full bowel control, but this prissy pink collar wearing dynamo is just more than I expected!
October 3rd 2005 6:57 pm
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Well, Arf!! I am compelled to find my voice at last! I have reason to speak up and make myself known. I am hoping that all of you who read of my plight will respond with a message telling me what you think is right.
Well, basically I have been a bad boy with my original owners. They didn't
know how to deal with an aggressive dog. I bullied them around with my teeth-baring, growling and even biting! They tried all sorts of tricks and methods to get me to behave, but ultimately I wore them out. The fact is that I scared the mom of the family by biting her daughter on the hand and making her bleed. She reacted quite passionately and well, you can read all about it in my bio. The bottom line is that we miss each other so much and would love to be together again. There is however, an obstacle to this happening. And you can read about that too in my bio. My former "mommie" wrote it up so beautifully that I think it best if you read it there.
Love, Dexter
p.s. I promise to be good this time.
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See all diary entries for Dexter (in memory of)
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Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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