Hello, I am new to this forum, I have been reading for awhile and it's great. I have 2 dogs of my own a 11 month Brussels griffon and a 6 month GSD. We have a personal trainer working with us who is wonderful and I couldn't do it without her! She's great. Now to my question, I work in the healthcare field and travel to people's homes to take care of them. Well, this new person has 5 or more (they were all jumping on me and I couldn't count that fast) little dogs with no manners whatsoever. They poop on the floor, it's a mess. And one of these dogs, doesn't like men very well, nor strangers (ie me) and protects this woman I have to take care of. He lays in front of the bath tub while she's in there. I've only been there once, but I feel it in my bones that if this woman makes even the slightest whimper, I'm going to be dog chow. The nurse is going to talk to them to put the dogs up when I come, but somehow I don't see that happening. I know these dogs won't follow me so I can put them out. The one protective dog nipped at one of the men that live there right in front of me when he bent down to touch him. Any suggestions?? Now remember these people are general public and one of those who really doesn't want to make their dogs listen and have no interest in what really goes on in dog training. This one dog was sniffing like mad on my pants because my dogs smells were on there, I thought it was the end of my calfs. It's a sad situation really. But I don't want to get bit again. A few years back I was bitten by a clients dog in the calf, a huge border collie with a dominant aggressive attitude that the owners encouraged her aggression. Granted I didn't know then what I know now after going through training with my dogs. Heck most of you have forgotten more than I know now anyway, I am just starting, but I love to do it! It's great working with the dogs. Anyway, enough of my ramblings, if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. It would be of great help. This is a great forum!

Christina Miller

Would they follow you outside if you had some food?

Try bringing some hot dogs or chicken or something yummy and give it a try.

Most of them will follow without food, I found that out yesterday when I went back for the second time. The problem is going to be with the protective one. Come to find out the one that will become a problem is not even her dog, it's her son's next door and he just comes over so she can babysit it when the son is gone. The other people who live with my client can not touch this dog or it will bite. I talked with her yesterday about him and she said she is going to try to rememeber to not let him come over when she knows I am coming. But somehow I just don't see it happening. I will start taking hot dogs with me just incase. I told my boss that I am not fighting with another dog to take care of clients, I did it for 3 years with another client and just simple am not going to do it. If I can't get the dog out, I will just have to leave. My dogs are behaved when company comes over and if someone new comes, I always have them crated. More for the dogs safety than theirs....LOL. Thanks for the response, I will try it next time I encounter this dog. Thanks again

Christina Miller