Jayne showing how to groom the previously reluctant Monty
I have recently been doing some intensive work with a black Labrador cross called Monty, on behalf of Jemima Harrison and Black Retriever X rescue
www.blackretrieverx.co.uk
Monty had been rescued from Ireland and then placed in a foster home, where he unfortunately bit his foster owner badly on the finger whilst she was grooming him and simultaneously feeding him a large hide chew. Monty had previously shown some reluctance to be groomed and an understanding of a dogs prey and defence drives would have made this incident far less likely.
Jemima, of Pedigree Dogs Exposed fame, rang me as we had worked together before on one of her rescue dogs.
Monty was in the vets awaiting euthanasia and Jemima wanted some expert advice on whether this was really necessary. She appraised me of the full circumstances and I felt that he was worth a second chance. The period of intensive work has proved me right and this dog is one of the loveliest young dogs you could own. He is virtually bomb-proof in all aspects and passes most tests with flying colours. There is in fact no food aggression per se and he will allow any amount of handling of his food bowl etc. He still grumbles a little when being groomed, but we have been making it a fun exercise and he is getting better all the time. The trick is not to use food reward as a distraction, thereby combining his prey and defence drives which is what led to the bite in the first place.
A small treat immediately AFTER the grooming ceases is perfectly acceptable.
Monty is great with all other dogs male, female, entire or neutered, despite being entire himself. He loves people including children, although due to the bite incident, he cannot be homed with children under 15. He travels brilliantly, hardly ever barks and has the basics of obedience with a good recall. What’s not to love? His foster owners accept that they had given him too much free love and affection instead of making him earn it. So if you can give him a home or know someone who can and understand the need to give a dog like him some structure and boundaries in his life, please get in touch with either myself or Jemima. Here is a link to his
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PETER MOUNSEY ASHCLYST DOG TRAINING AND DOG BEHAVIOUR DEVON JULY 2013