DR HARRY HOUSE CALL – 12/10/07


PROBLEM: Whenever the owner attempted to walk the dog in the street, she found it was impossible to control it when other dogs were near.

SOLUTION: The shear size and physical strength of the St Bernard were too much for the owner. She just didn't have the strength herself to control the dog, and had in fact been pulled over more than once.

The dog loved people, he just hated other dogs, probably a hangover from his youth (he was a second-hand dog, and had experienced a tough puppy hood). Dog aggressions are all too common behaviour, often brought on by having been attacked at some stage or having to compete severely just to get enough to eat.

It's a question of bark and bite first, ask questions later. I used a Halti Collar for restraint and left in place the original collar as well. The Halti worked wonders and gave excellent control. A heavy duty plastic or leather muzzle would have made things a lot safer as well, but they don't come that big off the shelf, so we ordered one in.

LESSON: I doubt the aggression can ever be cured. Do people ever get over the trauma of war? Control was achieved, and that's more than half the battle.