BARNEY - MIDDX

The volunteer arrived to assess Barney who was on a lead behind a glazed door. Once she was in the home he was allowed out, a very excited boy who craved her attention, jumped all over her and had a really good sniff. When he was pushed down she managed to get him to sit and give him a treat and then he started with the jumping all over again.

He arrived in the family home as a pup but with a gastro problem (which is all sorted now) but his owners feel that being small he may have had to fight for his food, so does get quite guardy. The male can feed him from one bowl to another but the wife will not do this. He has half his allowance as training treats for his walk and on his return gets a handful in a bowl and when he has finished that he gets another handful. This is replicated in the evening, to try and stop the food aggression.

He doesn't seem to respect the female owner and and her confidence around him has plummeted which is the reason for the rehome. The male owner is fine and Barney looks to him as boss, but walks over the wife. She puts in all the work with his manners and also takes him to training classes weekly which is the only time he is allowed off lead. She really cannot understand why he growls at her.

The one thing that stands out is that Barney is a nervous anxious young man who needs a calm confident owner who he can look to to build his confidence and hopefully show him how to be a dog. In the right hands he will be a wonderful companion. He would struggle with a harsh trainer but with a more calm gentle approach he will excel.

He needs to be introduced properly to any dog as he can get a bit funny if they just appear, again his fear. He is used to going to the groomers who have no issue with him around other dogs but then the owner is not there for him to feed off. 

If you feel that you can help this lovely boy reach his potential please get in touch. He is NOT for the first time handler. We will be looking for an experienced home where all members are calm and confident.