Need serious input!

[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! :/

[chocolatepuppy]

my coworker approached me after they left. She said she saw the husband PUNCH Holly in the FACE!!!!!!

She should have been on the phone to animal control before that guy ever got out of the parking lot. If he did it in the store , he does it all the time. Holly will soon be an unpredictable dog, bite someone and be pts if he continues to treat her like this.

[Pam]

Kim, could you say that the action was captured on a store surveillance videotape that someone was playing over at the end of the night? You could use that as the reason you would like to spend some time with these people *one on one* and strongly stress to him how terribly wrong his behavior was and offer alternatives. This might make him a little less hostile than if he thought he was being attacked by a particular store employee.

You must just feel awful. I would too and would have probably laid in bed last night and worried about that poor dog and her future. Poor Holly, she deserves better than that. Please update us and let us know how this goes. *sigh*

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I've had such a great relationship with this couple and the dog has been a sweetheart til now. She honestly seems to have developed a second personality. Anyone have any ideas what might be the real root of the situation?

I would ask them the exact same question adding something like "apart from the move can you think of anything else that may have caused this.....has anyone new been introduced to her...could someone be hitting her without your knowledge.....dogs respond to praise not punishment etc etc" that type of thing. Try dropping less than subtle hints that you've got a good idea why Holly is reacting like she is...

My other idea was to pin him up against the wall, punch him in the face and ask him how he likes it..................

[caseysmom]

I am not sure if the local humane society would take the dog away based on this. I think the best approach is to try to make the owner see the error of his ways, hopefully he is frustrated and knows better just acted out of anger. Hopefully this will not be ongoing for this poor dog.

[dr2little]

I am not sure if the local humane society would take the dog away based on this. I think the best approach is to try to make the owner see the error of his ways, hopefully he is frustrated and knows better just acted out of anger. Hopefully this will not be ongoing for this poor dog.

I deal with this way too often Unless the dog needs Vet. care and has obvious injuries, no governing body will do anything. That poor dog is considered his property That's why I suggested taking a deep breath and not loosing your cool. The only way to get to the dog is through him, and you can't do that if you scare him away. I can't tell you how often I want to launch myself at someone, but in order to make a difference in the dogs life, I have to calmly deal with as#ho&8s!! So not right!

[shihtzulover850]

I would ask them the exact same question adding something like "apart from the move can you think of anything else that may have caused this.....has anyone new been introduced to her...could someone be hitting her without your knowledge.....dogs respond to praise not punishment etc etc" that type of thing. Try dropping less than subtle hints that you've got a good idea why Holly is reacting like she is...

I agree!

[shihtzulover850]

also I would recommend positive attention to her try to calm her as best as posssible.