Hi! Having sold all the extra "project" dogs we had at the kennel (I'm down to two at work and two at home, now!) and placed all the "rescue" dogs (taking a break from that for a while!) I recently acquired a nice Rottie pup. He was by *far* the most stable and easily approached pup in the litter when I got him and I thought he would make a great obedience/stock herding prospect. He is a little soft, but otherwise he has been a joy to train up to this point and I am enjoying him immensely. He is six months old and I mostly use Leerburg-type methods to train all my dogs, though I am more permissive about some things than Mr. Frawley and less so about others.

Here's the problem. My mother had a medical emergency and I had to leave town and could not take the pup "Flint" with me. I left him in the care of someone I thought was a trusted friend with very detailed instructions for his care for about ten days. When I came home, he was acting very strange. He has been a totally submissive nervebag since I came home. He has been a little soft since I got him, but now he's acting like I'm killing him every time I give him any sort of correction. he is also showing what I believe is fear-agression toward men. The puppy-sitter has admitted that he struck Flint on several occasions and even kicked him once!!!

I am so upset! What do I do? Has Flint's temperament been broken? Can I fix the problem? I'm willing to do whatever it takes! I adore this dog and had such high hopes for him! Is there any way to reverse the damage? Please help!!!

Hi Dorothy,
I'm so sorry to hear about this but your 'trusted' friend should have protected you dog.

I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice but I'll start with what i've done under these situations. I'd start from scratch and do some simple exercises where you just look for the wanted response, treat and praise. Leave out corrections for a bit until his confidence comes back. Give him ways to succeed. I've used some safe obstacles like children's jungle gyms in parks. Little obedience games, sit, down, etc and just reward and praise like crazy. I don't know if you're into clickers or not but they have their place. It might help him for just a short while until his confidence is back.

I'll bet in your heart you know what to do. You already had a good relationship with him before the separation. Hope this helps, good luck. Please keep us posted.

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......I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice but I'll start with what i've done under these situations. I'd start from scratch and do some simple exercises where you just look for the wanted response, treat and praise. Leave out corrections for a bit until his confidence comes back. Give him ways to succeed. I've used some safe obstacles like children's jungle gyms in parks. Little obedience games, sit, down, etc and just reward and praise like crazy. I don't know if you're into clickers or not but they have their place. It might help him for just a short while until his confidence is back........I'll bet in your heart you know what to do. You already had a good relationship with him before the separation. Hope this helps, good luck. Please keep us posted.

One important thing that may seem counterintuitive: Don't foster fearful behavior or soothe/caress/pat when he is acting nervous. JMO. Try to move forward confidently with the dog, not expecting fear and not looking to soothe fear. Working through his fears by the side of his confident and calm pack leader is what will help him most -- not avoiding them or being babied throught them. JMO, and I am sure you will receive other suggestions.

I think he can regain his confidence with your guidance.

Thanks eveyone for your reassurance. I am so ticked off at this FORMER friend of mine I could just spit! I do use clickers occasionally, although I have not used them with Flint. I think you may be right~~this may be the time to start. If anyone else has any advice, I'd be very appreciative! Thanks, D