URBANANIMAL: Hyper dog needs patience, training and love - insideTORONTO.com

Dear UrbanAnimal,

Robbie is a two-year-old mixed-breed dog that I adopted from a woman who had a baby and couldn't keep him any longer. She told me Robbie has always been a hyper dog, but she didn't have time to fix it. When she brought the baby home, Robbie became even more rambunctious and she couldn't handle dog and baby at the same time. I thought his problem was lack of attention and exercise and, because I'm semi-retired, I felt I could give him these things. As it turns out, after just two weeks of living with Robbie, I can't do anything with him either. I asked the original owner if she could take him back, but she refuses. She said he was "impossible." I don't want to send him to a shelter. Have you got any other ideas?

Caroline

Readers, I contacted Caroline to find out more about Robbie's life and discovered his original owner had bought him as a young puppy from a pet store. It was one of those "puppy in the window" scenarios that, unfortunately, continue to take place no matter how much education is available.

Robbie was her first dog and she couldn't resist. So without considering how a dog would fit into her life, she bought him, then left him in a crate while she went to work. As he grew larger, she put him in the backyard while she went to work. She didn't walk him, socialize him or pay much attention to him beyond feeding and complaining about his "hyper" behaviour.

Oh my goodness, where do I start?

It would be so nice to re-wind this story and start over. Can this dog be saved? Absolutely. But it will take time and patience.

In some ways, it's good that Caroline was able to obtain Robbie's background information because it helped her understand why he had been labelled with words such as "hyper" and "impossible." If she didn't know anything about his past, she'd only know this dog needed a new home.

On the other hand, knowing his history meant Caroline expected a hyper and impossible dog, so that's what she got. Robbie didn't come to her with a clean slate and he was unable to verbalize his side of story or tell her what he needed. Caroline has a big heart and would like to keep him, but she has no experience with dogs.

My first suggestion involved Robbie's physical health. I asked her to obtain all veterinary records from the previous owner then make an appointment with a veterinarian of her choice. The appointment would involve a health checkup along with advice on essentials such as proper diet, nail clipping and training.

To address my second suggestion, Caroline would ask the vet to recommend a professional dog trainer who would coach Caroline and Robbie on a one-to-one basis. With no previous training, I was concerned Robbie's exuberance wouldn't be welcome in a traditional class setting and that a behavioural assessment by an experienced trainer would be invaluable.

Robbie's new veterinarian checked him over and started him off with vaccinations, blood tests, a flea preventive product and a much-needed nail clipping. He also recommended a groomer and the names of local dog trainers.

Just one day after Robbie's veterinary appointment, Caroline had arranged interviews with two dog trainers and had even printed off a list of "Questions to ask a dog trainer" from the Internet.

Her last email to me was much like a mother whose child had learned to tie his shoelaces.

"Robbie is doing wonderfully. He's learning to walk on leash and today he sat at the curb before crossing the street. He did it twice so it's not just my imagination. The trainer thinks that Robbie is far from 'impossible' and I agree."

Another happy ending. No, that's wrong. It's not an ending. It's the beginning of a great relationship. Every day will bring new delights as they learn more about each other.

Congratulations, Caroline. Robbie needed someone who would work to understand his needs and you stepped up to the plate. I hope you have a terrific life together.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion. Visit weekly for more UrbanAnimal columns

View the original article here