Puppy
in the Middle
By
Ross McCarthy MCFBA MBIPDT
| This article has
been reproduced with the kind permission of Ross McCarthy,
first puplished in Dogs MOnthly Magazine for the
CFBA, the CIDBT, and their students of Dog Behaviour & Training |
Obviously when one works with people to alter canine behaviour
problems, the human aspect is often the greater part – a
high percentage of problems that I deal with in dogs would never
be seen if that dog lived in another environment. I have had
more than a few cases recently that present me with so many questions
about people, relationships and our love for our canine chums
and moreover how perhaps our irrational beliefs lead to canine
behaviour problems and family arguments.
Mike and Sheila Constantine arrived at the centre with their
young male Akita, Spirit. Spirit was ten months of age and quite
a size. The problems that the Constantine’s were experiencing
were plenty, but the main reason for their visit was Spirits
unpredictable aggression towards Mike. Spirit growled at Mike
on a regular basis from puppy-hood over certain triggers like
food or touch. The growling recently moved on and Mike was bitten
on the lower arm badly and required stitches. Mike understandably
now was frightened of Spirit.
Sheila had never been growled at and I immediately detected
that her view of the problem was not as solemn as Mike’s
take on it. We discussed the problem in great depth along with
the probable cause. I then went on to working through the problem
and reiterated my concerns about the serious nature of the problem.
Mike was willing to do what it took to keep the dog with them
and was all ears when I began imparting my advice. Sheila however
understood that Mike would be frightened, but could see no link
in the problem to her behaviour and why she should become involved.
The dog was not aggressive to her and so she felt this was Mike’s
problem although Spirit was frequently aggressive towards people
in the street and Sheila had quite a job controlling him due
to his size. I continued to impart my advice to one keen listener
and one who was looking at her watch most of the time – clearly
she had more important things to tend to.
I sent out my report that same day, ensuring it was in plain
English and put my advice across in a frank manner. Mike enrolled
on a training course with Spirit and Sheila came along too – she
obviously felt that a dog training venue was the perfect place
to file her nails and send some text messages! I was somewhat
disappointed that the Constantine’s were not progressing
with Spirit as I had hoped. Mike constantly approached me at
the course and asked for more help with solving the problem and
getting Sheila to follow the initial advice.
Sheila was apparently still quite unconcerned about Spirits
antagonistic behaviour towards Mike and seemed to take delight
in telling friends and family about Spirits latest aggressive
attack on Mike. I have spoke to Sheila about her attitude to
the dog and the problem and that unless we get a satisfactory
result I do not believe that it would be tenable to keep the
dog. Sheila then went on to blame Mike and informed me that he
was not doing anything that I had suggested.
I then arranged a second meeting with the couple at the centre
to discuss the problem. However, this was more like a relationship
counselling session rather than a canine behaviour consultation.
It was most apparent that Sheila enjoyed the power over Mike
that Spirit affords her. Mike had been badly bitten by Spirit
on his arm and required hospital treatment a few days before
our meeting which did alter Sheila’s attitude to the problem
and the couple set about working together to alter Spirit’s
aggressive behaviour.
However, two weeks after our consultation, Sheila moved out
of the family home and is now living in Spain. Mike and Spirit
are still living in London and are doing very well. Spirit has
just passed his KC Gold Good Citizen Dog Test and Mike was exceptionally
pleased – he no longer has any aggression from Spirit and
the two coexist very happily.
I always find it extraordinary that some people prioritise their
dog over their partners and family members. I understand, maybe
better than most the close attachment that people form with their
pets, but to place them above your partners safety and well being
seems odd. However, it does seem rather more odd that one would
accept their partner prioritising their dog over them!
We all may jest on occasion that a dog is easier to live with
than our other half they make less demands, never argue, always
pleased to see us etc, but they are jokes, right? Perhaps not
always!
Sally came to see me last week with a similar problem to Mike
and Sheila. Her Belgian shepherd, Malik was biting her husband
on a regular basis also. Clearly from our initial discussions,
Sally wore the trousers in her household and took no messing
from Roger or the kids – the dog ran her a merry dance,
but no one else would get away with it!
Roger was a sweet, innocuous man who looked tired and rather
apathetic whilst his bullish wife went on about how Roger must
have done something to create this problem and how he is not
very good with dogs and how that is probably the crux of this
whole biting thing. Roger sat gazing tentatively out of the window
whilst his wife went about his character assassination. The more
we spoke, the more the insults directed at Roger flew out. He
did not respond, but again looked at the same tree through the
window each time Sally informed me of another defect in his personality.
I spoke to Roger and asked Sally to be quiet until I informed
her that she could join in the conversation again – Roger
smiled at me half-heartedly – he was pleased that I had
put my foot down, but knew that he would face the consequences
of my actions later. Roger was frightened of the dog, felt that
he was dangerous and was concerned about the safety of their
children.
When Sally was asked to rejoin the conversation, she blurted
out that this dog would not be put down, end of story. We were
not discussing anything to do with euthanasia, but obviously
she had a little time to think whilst she was not dominating
the conversation. I informed her that although this was not a
part of my advice today, if we do not obtain a very satisfactory
result in a short time, then for the safety of Roger and moreover
the children that it may be a realistic outcome later. Sally’s
retort was that Roger would go long before the dog. I smiled
and made a joke along the same lines, but Sally’s face
remained serious and Roger looked at that tree again. Sally was
sure that Malik was staying, whether Roger went was not an issue.
I am aware that in domestic disputes, people often unfairly
use the children as ammunition to hurt and to get one over on
their partner, but it would seem that the dog will do just fine
as a substitute. Of course the added psychological power of a
dog’s aggression over a male partner is not a new phenomenon – but
a recurring one. Humans are as manipulative as ever and the dogs
are just the piggy or puppy in the middle.
Ross McCarthy MCFBA MBIPDT
www.rossmccarthy.com
| This article has
been reproduced with the kind permission of Ross McCarthy
originally published in Dogs Monthly for the CFBA, the
CIDBT, and their students of Dog Behaviour & Training |
