Can I take the opportunity to thank all those dogs who came along to my Behaviour Clinics and trusted me with their issues. I owe these guys a lot.
It wasn't teaching sit and stay to steady dogs that put me on the map (almost) anyone can do that. It was the unbalanced, anti-social, nervous dogs who lost their way and could not find a road back.
It was Barney the Terrible who attacked every dog in sight, border terrier, Syd, who bit people first and worried about it later. Little Tilly the Chihuahua 'too nervous' to ever leave the house and Big Tobie whose idea of a walk was to drag anyone foolish enough to hold the lead face down in the mud.
These are the dogs to which I owe my canine education. Without them I'd still be preparing biddable little dogs ready for obedience tests. Without the so-called Devil dogs there would be no Dogfather column.
These are the guys who taught me never to say never. When normal training didn't work they forced me to improvise. I once trained a Rottie using a dustbin lid, it was the only thing that kept him from jumping all over me. You name it and I've tried it.
These are troubled dogs for which treats and kind words are just not enough. You cannot cure a nervous dog with affection. Phobias affect dogs quite severely and the two ways they respond are fight and flight neither of which solves anything. You have to listen closely to the dog and work with him.
It's all about trust. If these unbalanced dogs believe you understand them you have their trust. If not... beware.
So, as Christmas approaches, a huge thanks to all those Barneys, Tillys, Syds and Tobies who trusted me with their fears and anxieties. I will never forget the journeys we travelled together.
Just one small message for giant Lab Topaz: Can I have my thumb back, please?
New classes commence on Dec 29. To join visit vicbarlow.com.
Photo: Some dogs need a lot of work!
