Need serious input!

[*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!

[Giselle]

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!

I agree with this. I truly don't believe the weather or hormones can cause a dog to snap *continuously* and consistently over a very short time period (the class is only, what, an hour long?). She obviously sustained some serious abuse during the period before the move and after the move because she's gone back into her hand-shy state of mind. IMO, 1) she's probably receiving very little positive human interaction at home and 2) the little interaction she does receive tends to air on the negative side - crating for prolonged periods of times, screaming, yelling (kicking the crate even?). If she barks like a maniac in class, I have to wonder if she barks when she's being crated...

My guess is that Holly was abused during the move because of her owner's stress. I have no doubt in my mind that if the man had the audacity to punch Holly in open public, he had the will to punch her and neglect her at home. I'm not saying that he's "evil" or anything, but the stress of moving and losing a home is overwhelming. I pity the man He must not enjoy hurting Holly like that since they obviously have the commitment to devote several hours and a large sum of money on the pup. I think the root of the problem must lie further down than just a failed move. Does this man *like* living with his mother? Is Holly getting abused by the mother again or is she just not receving any attention at all?

I'd call the couple aside after a lesson and calmly find out what's really going on. Be compassionate and helpful and I think they'd love to continue extensive personal training. Oh dear, good luck! :/

[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!!