Need serious input!

[Kfamr]

IMO, that type of physical interaction with a dog is abuse. Plain ole abuse.

I would ask the couple to stay after one day to further their lesson in training.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I strongly agree with what Kay said- that's abuse.

[catnapper]

I know its abuse. I just don't know how to handle it, or just how much of Holly's behavior is from him or other external factors. I WILL be approaching them about hte punch. I CAN NOT let that one go without me bringing it up. I am just so upset because they were so serious about treating her right and getting her out of the abusive situation the mom kept her in.... and here they are abusing her themselves.

I'm so heartbroken right now. Holly is a sweet little girl. She had come so far.... and to see her tonight just shocked me.

[dr2little]

I know its abuse. I just don't know how to handle it, or just how much of Holly's behavior is from him or other external factors. I WILL be approaching them about hte punch. I CAN NOT let that one go without me bringing it up. I am just so upset because they were so serious about treating her right and getting her out of the abusive situation the mom kept her in.... and here they are abusing her themselves.

I'm so heartbroken right now. Holly is a sweet little girl. She had come so far.... and to see her tonight just shocked me.

I'd be careful how you approach the punch, while it would be hard not to directly address the incident it may push them away and distroy any hope of helping this poor dog. Do you offer private training? When I have a class member who I suspect is using physical punishment I find that they relax and come clean on their own turf much more than if I were to take them aside after class. I do offer a no charge private session for these cases as I think that I may loose an opportunity to have a positive effect on the dog otherwise. Just a thought...
Oh, I never introduced myself...I'm new here! I'm proudly owned by 5 dogs and am a behaviorist in Alberta Canada (owner of Diamond in the "Ruff" Inc.)

[BC_MoM]

Whether he's frustrated or not, it gives him NO reason to harm a dog (or ANY animal) in ANY way!!

I would call the Humane Society or Animal Control. This pup needs to stop being abused.

Sure, the parents may be training her and trying their best, but they are (possibly) still abusing her.

[luvofallhorses]

Whether he's frustrated or not, it gives him NO reason to harm a dog (or ANY animal) in ANY way!!

I would call the Humane Society or Animal Control. This pup needs to stop being abused.

Sure, the parents may be training her and trying their best, but they are (possibly) still abusing her.

I agree.

[lisahumphreys882]

I think that even if a Holly has only been abused once or twice...especially to those levels (firstly by the way the mom treated her and secondly by being punched in the face) she may very well react the way she did(or still does) despite being sweet before. As the others suggested, you should definitely bring the abuse up with the husband because we all know that that is cruel for someone to hit a dog. So sorry for all the stress you have to deal with. Hope this situation turns for the better!

[lute]

i would tell the man that a witness came to you saying they saw him hit the dog. you don't want people seeing someone treat a dog like that in front of the training center. just the right person might see him do it and think "it happend in front of a training center, it must be ok to hit my dog." she may be comming into heat. Gracie always gets a lil out of control when she's in heat, but she NEVER tries to bite anyone. if the dog was trying to bite him when he punched the dog explain to him that there are other ways to correct this behavior.

GOOD LUCK!

[Cincy'sMom]

The hardest part, is that if you outright accuse him, he may get hostile or defensive. Maybe you could bring it up that a co-worker saw they were having some problems as they were leaving and thought they could use some suggestions of how to control the dogs behavior. Obviously if you see it yourself, or if it seems to be continuing you may need to take more drastic measures. Obviously punching a dog is never okay, but if there is a less confrontational way to bring it up, he may be more receptive.

[luvofallhorses]

I also strongly agree with Kay. - that poor pup! I hope you can help her. Even if he does get frusturated with her, that is NO excuse to treat her the way he does. Good luck and please, please keep us updated!!

[zoomer]

IMO, that type of physical interaction with a dog is abuse. Plain ole abuse.

I would ask the couple to stay after one day to further their lesson in training.

I strongly agree with Kay.

[Sevaede]

IMO, that type of physical interaction with a dog is abuse. Plain ole abuse.

I would ask the couple to stay after one day to further their lesson in training.

I agree.