Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Sometimes when there is no easy decision it works to tell yourself your own story as if someone else was asking you and see what advice you would give to them. You seem to have such strong loving instints and would be the best one to answer your own question. What would you tell someone on bpo with the same question?  My love goes out to these dogs , to all your rescues and of course your own fur  babies . I dont live near your area , but if something arises in massachusetts and i can help, with transport or whatever,please let me know. My schedual is pretty flexible.

Yay Roscoe! I love the one of him on the road , looking all like " I dare a car to come down here. Try it" Does he still try to get in the shower?

So I have been pretty diligent in my work to help brooklily with her aggression problem. I have taken alot of the wonderful advice from BPO and it has been very helpful. Brooklily and i even went to see a behaviorist at Angell Memorial. ( of course everyone I know made fun of me relentlessly about bring Brooklily to a psychatrist  lol) I will see if i can scan her reportcard and post it later. Its just that it was over 200 dollars and i cant keep going back every week. So here is my question. In the past week my friend rented a room to a man who has a really friendly newfie. Im like great , i will bring miss Brooklily over to meet him. The behaviorist said big dogs only , cause she plays ROUGH. I made sure i was relaxed. i got out of the car first, gave the dog some love, showed Brooklily he meant me no harm, then brought her out.  It wasnt the usual immediate pounce. She sniffed for like 20 seconds ...then went after him. i was so sad cause i know she would really enjoy playing with this dog. He is very silly like her and def big enough to play hard.  I made her go on a walk with him despite her initial reaction. Was this a good idea? she stayed very focused on him the whole walk. ( pretty hard for this a.d.d. girl lol) We didnt let them get close enough again to get hurt, just walked near eachother. The guy was very cool and helpful. No worries and is willing to let brooklily walk with him more. Should i keep bringing her to walk with him ? will this be helpful for her learning or counter productive? Will this help her to change or am i just antagonizing the situation?  At this point I would say she is about 70/30.  with her being friendly to about 70 percent of the dogs I introduce her to.She has made some great dog friends :)But it is not safe for the dogs she doesnt like or for her. i need to keep working on this. Still not good at passing by dogs on walks though, that is where she is most challenged. (getting better though) Sorry so long .

Hi I didnt know Babs, but we are from the same area. Here is a  article about her written by a reporter I know at a local newspaper. I thought those of you who knew her would like to see it. It is lovingly written , with none of the pointless added drama associated with many  articles about already dramatic events. There is also a link to a shelter for donations. I know she is at peace , playing with many wonderful dogs.   Suzanne   modified because I put the wrong link. I will try in one minute again

Beautiful pics! Happy dogs! . The lawn im a little mad about though.... cause of brooklily, I live in a dirt yard.ok im jealous!!!

Hi Im so glad you got some answers from your new dr. for sierra! Hope she is feeling much less itchy soon. I second julie on the cream cheese and peanut butter.  My girl savannah could find a pill in anything. We would think she took them and then find them 5 minutes later on the sofa, in the yard etc... She would actually trick us.  lol But the pills stick to peanut butter and cream cheese and we would usually win there. As a side note Brooklily eats whatever we give her . just say COOKIE  and she downs pills like candy. ( another notch in her short bus collar) Good luck with the pills! Time to enjoy spring Sierra

I love love love your dogs! I looked at the pics and laughed and laughed. Something about bull terriers hits my funny bone. I also love the one of Memphis sitting in the lake, all casual , like " why swim when i can sit and still be above water" .  thanks for the lift your pictures provided me

  ok , im going to break down and try the dog park today. im very nervous. does anyone have any advice for Brooklily or me with our first dogpark visit?  a little backround ....1. Brooklily is currently getting better with her leash aggression, but it is still an issue. So when do i let her off leash at the park?  2. Brooklily loves to play and play hard. Are there some warnings if she is going to far? 3. Brooklily was not socialized up to 6 months AT ALL( basically left in a cellar  ) untill i got her. I have her play with lots of other dogs but only one or two at a time in a fenced in area. She lives with my dads corgi ( not in same house . my dad has an inlaw in my house) so they share a yard and really love each other. So i know she isnt bad with other dogs , just rough, and doesnt always get the rules.             Im just nervous and would like some help. We are going today around 230. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. thanks!!! Brooklily's mum