I'm not sure if I'm looking for answers or just venting!

Yesterday when my husband was putting Nickie in his crate (he had him by the flat collar), just as Nickie got one foot in the crate, he turned and bolted because he heard a noise out in front of the house (that was why he was being put up in the first place - Nickie and Roxie kept barking at the front window at a cat or a neighbor or something). Normally they are very docile and will lay around the house all day with many trips out in the backyard.

Anyway, in the process, he knocked my husband over, causing him to fall to the floor. Hubby is in poor health - very fragile bones (osteoporosis, etc etc). Luckily he didn't break a hip or anything.

Normally a command of "crate" or tossing a small dog biscuit in the crate will get the desired results - it was just a freak thing I guess.

Nickie just turned 2 years old this month and weighs about 80 lbs - he is certainly a handful. Obviously he is too much dog for either of us, especially hubby, but it is too late now since we are committed to him for his lifetime.

Just really frustrating when things like this happen and I'm stuck at work and hear about it over the phone!

Maggie is my first puppy (previously I adopted older dogs) and she's a stubborn, messy Great Dane. I don't know how many times my husband and I looked at each other and said "what were we thinking"? But we love her dearly, and she excells at bikejor as I had hoped.

When you get past the difficulties, you'll love Nickie all the more for having fought for him.

Thanks for the reply, Denise. Nickie is a very sweet dog about 90% of the time - it's just that other 10% when he is so intense, strong, and bull-headed (after all, he is a pitbull and bullmastiff mix). Someone told me that he's in the "terrible two's" - if so, can't wait for a little more age on him!

Diane, don't worry. We have all been there. Thinking "What the hell did I do?" I had that thought ALOT when Toni was a pup.. I went so far as to nickname her "Terrible Toni the Terrorist" and she will still come when I call "Terrible." NOW that she is 4, I love her to death and would never trade her for anything.

I have had a few calls at work that began "Guess what YOUR GD dog did!" (when she was bad, she was always mine even though Paul wanted her).

Take a breath, accept him for what he is, and keep going. Hopefully maturity will slow him down eventually, or you and the hubby will get stronger having to deal with him

I applaud your commitment to him. Some would just ditch the dog after an incident like that.

Good luck! Each day will be an adventure

--Kelly

Thanks Kelly - It's always good to know that you are not alone in a difficult situation. I was also knocked down to the ground (actually on to the cement next to the pool) a few months ago when Nickie was chasing his ball that some else had thrown and I happened to be in his path with my back turned (a very bad idea not to keep your eyes on him at all times)!

Hubby has had two other bad incidents - once he fell over Nickie out in front of the house and broke his hand when it landed on a flat piece of slump stone. Then back in July hubby was trying to take off Nickie's prong collar (which I had put on before going to work) and when he tried to force it in order to compress the link, Nickie yelped and bit him on the wrist (badly enough for him to see his doctor). Needless to say the prong collar is no longer allowed - we are using the e-collar now.

It's been a rough two years . . .

 Quote: Diane Joslin

he knocked my husband over, causing him to fall to the floor. Hubby is in poor health - very fragile bones (osteoporosis, etc etc). Luckily he didn't break a hip or anything. .... Nickie just turned 2 years old this month and weighs about 80 lbs - he is certainly a handful. Obviously he is too much dog for either of us, especially hubby, but it is too late now since we are committed to him ...

A couple of people whose dogs I helped train have learned something I think is big.

They play with the dog in a way that the human stands still and the dog moves (a LOT).

One throws floating toys into the pool and the dog swims to, retrieves, and returns the toy to be re-tossed. The other uses this http://leerburg.com/772.htm with two balls (to trade for the ball that was thrown if there's any challenge getting it back at first).

Wearing out a dog, no matter how spirited and energetic, is going to slow him down at least somewhat.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Wearing out a dog, no matter how spirited and energetic, is going to slow him down at least somewhat.

We would not be able to handle Maggie without Bikejor. (She tows one of us on a bicycle.) We started tire dragging this week too, which is much more sedate and safe. Regular exercise is key. We were going nuts the week after her spay, trying to walk her enough, as she was not allowed to run or otherwise strain. I just plain old can't walk far enough to give her a workout without her pulling a load. (Bonus is the load is myself.)

There's also putting on a weighted backpack before walks, but I think thats rougher on the dog than pulling a drag in harness.

The Chuckit 'flying squirrel' is like a God, the 10 lb weighted vest is my best friend; though I've never used them simultaneously. A tired dog is a wonderful thing indeed.

 Quote: Diane Joslin

... Hubby has had two other bad incidents - once he fell over Nickie out in front of the house and broke his hand when it landed on a flat piece of slump stone.

Another possibility for some situations (say, standing in the yard with the http://leerburg.com/772.htm and the ball), might be a walker.

Even if your husband does not need it for normal getting around, the sturdiness of the legs and the barrier around the person really adds stability. Maybe just for the yard?

I have a neighbor who keeps a basket on it, too. Or a bait bag would probably be good.

Kristel,

A tired, snoring dog is a beautiful sight!