Barked: Sat Nov 24, '07 6:04pm PST |
 |  |  |  | Hi Everyone I'll start.....
My name is Chipper. I was adopted by my mom and dad in March 2006 and I am their first dog ever. When I first came home, I was a perfect angel behaviorally. I was housebroken, no accidents at all, I was quiet and I was a love bug. I love kisses and pats! But, I also had some issues. I came to the shelter as a stray and they found me to be heartworm positive. I was treated by the shelter just before mom and dad brought me home. When I came home, I was on strict cage rest for 2-3 weeks. I was very tired and achy.
Well, as I settled in to my new home and the heartworms died, my true colors began to show. I bonded really tight and quick with mommy. I liked dad, but I didn't trust him. One night daddy tried to take away a raw hide from me and I lost it. I bit him in the hand and barked and growled at him. I didn't hurt him, it was more of a snap. I didn't even break the skin. The next couple of weeks were tough. Daddy couldn't move in the house without me growling at him. I wanted him no where near me or mom. Mom thought that this might not be the right home for me, so she called the shelter that they got me from. They said that she could bring me back, but I wouldn't be adopted out again. I would be put down.
Mom couldn't do that, so off to obedience classes we went. It was an OK class, but mom didn't like it. It was for dogs without behavior issues. And, they made me wear a rope choke collar. Mom and dad hated that collar. They made me wear it in class, but they were not comfortable with it. To make matters worse, 4 weeks into class, I got kennel cough. Really bad. I couldn't shake it for 5 months. During one of my coughing fits, mom brought me to the vet and they took x-rays and found that I have a collapsing trachea and the right side of my heart is enlarged. EEK! I spent 5 months on and off antibiotics and cough suppressants and finally got healthy. Needless to say, we dropped out of that obedience class and didn't go back.
One night in August 2006, the shelter called for a check up on me. Mom explained that I was dog aggressive, people aggressive, food aggressive, I resource guarded and I protected mommy with all my might. Even from daddy. The shelter suggested that mommy get in touch with their trainer and join the "Ruff Dog" class he offered. So, she did and Thank Dog!
We met Terence my trainer/behaviorist. He saved my life. He taught mommy and daddy how to handle me and showed them everything they were doing wrong. He made them hand feed me forever! Even Bully Sticks! He helped me understand what mommy and daddy expected of me and he helped socialize me. He gave me a pinch collar, but that is just temporary. We are now working to get me on a harness.
I am doing much better now. I tolerate other dogs and most strangers. I go to training class every Wednesday night and I just started an agility class. I still have attacks of collapsing trachea, but no more upper respiratory infections.
Chipper's mom here....We have been working with Chipper for just over a year with a trainer every week. I am by no means a professional trainer. I am simply a devoted dog owner who has been blessed with a very difficult dog. I look forward to sharing our experiences with you, and I look forward to hearing your experiences! This will be a great group. Don't forget to post your progress along with questions and problems.  |  |  |  |  |
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