David Gauntlett
Senior Member
On the money again Dave, I used to train dogs as a sideline a few years back, by train it was mostly basic obedience, walking to heel and such like, of course I was presented with a variety of breeds that the new owner expected them to behave as a 'Lassie' type.
As you know training any dog is 95% the owner and 5% the dog, well not quite but you know what I mean. I had Rotts Alsations Poodle, all sorts, and although 'heel' work was easy anything beyond that presented different problems.
Guarding breeds are the easier to to train in all aspects, but of course offer the greatest threat to the public. And it is with these breeds there is an almost indifference as to the potential risk they offer, and can end up in the wrong hands.
I rescued a Boxer x Lab (Toby) many years ago from the RSPCA Nr Bournemouth, as soon as I let him off in the local park he went straight for a little terrier and clamped on, I managed to seperate the terrier from his jaws, but not before cutting my thumb that needed stitches, imagine my horror that it was the nurses dog that stitched me up that Toby attacked!!
He was a loving dog with people, in fact we had our three sons grow up with him, never a problem, but other dogs? Forget it, and I as a ex RAF Dog handler could not train that out of him.
I found out later that Toby along with other dogs were rescued from a dog fighting syndicate in the New Forest, so no wonder.
He went on to live a long and full life, but couldn't bear being seperated from the family for even a minute, I am glad Toby chose us
We have rescued all sorts, but the most cutest and un dog like had to be the Belgian Griffon, that was going to be put down by her owner because she was 'too stubborn' I went to the Nursing Home for the interview as a potential adoptee, booted and suited, not really wanting the thing, but was accepted with a waive of the hand, and told to collect her from the Boarding Kennels. Of course the kids fell in love with her from day 1 little Mugwai
Sorry about the ramble, it's an age thing.
Spot on Neil, and you have my respect for your dog training skills and patience....it ain't easy. Many years ago (in my early twenties) I had a big lurcher (greyhound/saluki cross) that I bought as a pup, and he had similar issues to your Toby. He came from a farmer in Lincolnshire, from parent's used by that farmer for foxing and similar.
He didn't have the best start in life, which again was down to stupidity on my part. The advert stated that he would be delivered by train, in a crate, put on board in the morning for delivery early afternoon. First thing that went wrong was that he did not arrive that afternoon, not in fact until noon the following day. It turned out that the poor wee thing had been left overnight on a station platform...and the crate was literally that, a beer bottle crate with the dividers knocked out and a wooden lid nailed on the top. at two months, that pup was had legs well over a foot long, he could barely turn around. He was so traumatised that I had to sit with him, with his head firmly rammed into my armpit for the rest of the day
If I could have got hold of the barsteward who did that to him, I would still be in prison now. so, my stupidity was really naivety, in that I expected things to be done with all due care on the sellers part, and for the rail company to do the same. How very silly of me.Anyway, to cut things short, he was a wonderful dog, calm and gentle, kids could climb on him, super temperament. Except...he still killed foxes, and attacked big dogs on sight (not little ones, fortunately).
I love dogs, characters, flaws and all. By and large, I prefer them to people. You can trust them, they are as honest as the day is long, in that they are predictable in all they do...and the love they have for you is unconditional. Can't ask for more than that mate.
Cheers, Dave.
