"Holly" Portuguese Water Dog

[rebecca&thegirls]

My Story...

I received a phone call and all I could hear on the other end of the line was a lady almost in tears she said to me "I need your help! They are petitioning for us to get rid of her." I spoke to the lady and was finally able to get her calmed down. I asked her to explain what she was talking about.

Holly, her Portuguese Water Dog, had become a terror to the neighborhood... and her home too. The neighbors finally drew the line and petitioned for Holly to be removed from the neighborhood.

With the urgency of the matter I went that evening to meet Holly. Upon arriving, Holly's owner slipped out of the door and warned me that Holly would probably try to bite me. We discussed the issues she and the neighborhood were having with Holly. She started by telling me that when she walks Holly, Holly will aggressively bite at people, strollers, kids on bikes, cars going by, or anything else then moved.

I then asked her about how Holly is at home, with me now asking questions. Is she allowed on the furniture and does she bite at anyone who tries to sit on it? Does she aggressively bark or growl at you when you pass her in the house? Is she protective of her toys and bed? Along with other questions. The answer to every question asked was yes.

Holly was the "child" in their home. No children, husband gone with work a lot, and just mom and Holly at home. She was "babied". Holly was never taught any obedience, was allowed on the furniture, and in bed with mom. Holly was simply a "spoiled child" and due to no structure of a pack leadership role, Holly stepped in. She was running the house and neighborhood at two years old with dominance aggression.

After speaking with "Mom", the owner, it was time to meet Holly. As I entered the home Mom was a nervous wreck. I explained to her that she needed to relax, "it's okay, Holly won't bite me". Mom chuckled stating, "don't say I didn't warn you". All Holly was doing was reacting from mom's body language. I walk through the home Holly following, sniffing at my pant legs. As I walked past the couch Holly immediately jumped up onto the couch and started barking at me. With proper "trainer" methods I removed her from the couch and sat down. This went on for several minutes before Holly finally gave up and went to her bed.

I tested Holly on different things throughout my visit. At the end of the visit, Mom asked the question that all dog owners dread... "do I need to have her put down?" My answer... "by no means". What came across as a vicious, horrible dog was actually just a dog confused about where her place was in the "pack".

The next day we started basic obedience training with Holly and her mom. Along with some new house rules regarding furniture, moms bed, and Holly's things, most of all, training Mom that it's okay for a dog to have rules and with that your dog will love you even more.

After the first week of training, Holly had greatly improved. We were able to get the neighborhood to extend her stay by one month to see if there would be a change. Holly continued to improve, with Mom learning to be consistent with her.

There was a setback during the month. Dad came home. I received a call that Holly would not let him enter the house. She had also made an honest effort to bite him. When I arrived I was amazed. Holly actually controlled Dad more than Mom. The entire family was being controlled by her. Our lessons then continued with both Mom and Dad at every one of them, as well as both had to "work" with her throughout the weeks ahead.

When the month came to an end, Holly had learned and responded to the basic training. Without me joining (since Holly from day one responded to me.) It was time for Mom and Dad to take Holly for a neighborhood walk. The neighbors were all out that evening, kids, bikes, strollers, elderly with walkers. All to see if Holly would fail.

Mom and Dad were nervous, but stood tall as they left the front yard. Holly had to be corrected one time on her walk. Never chased a child and never lunged at her stroller.

Holly passed the test. A week later I received a call telling me that the neighborhood committee had made the decision that Holly could stay!

Not all stories end up with happy endings...

But Holly's did!

~Rebecca