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Stephen J. writes:

I acquired Sammie, my four year old female Lab mix, from the local shelter about three years ago. Aggressive to most people – especially children – and aggressive to other dogs as well, she was a day away from being euthanized, having long since worn out her welcome. As the foster parent to several dogs previously, I thought that I could find her a new home and pulled her off of death row. Six months later, I reluctantly adopted her, as it became apparent that no one else wanted her and to send her back to the shelter meant certain death.

I already had five dogs and really didn't want to add another. Still, she loved me and seemed to fit in with the rest of my pack so I thought I could make it work. As time passed, though, she never got over her hostility to stranger humans or strange dogs. I dreaded taking her on walks in the neighborhood, always having to be on my guard. I had to maintain a 15 foot buffer between Sammie and joggers, bicycle riders and children and really every human or small animal. It was exhausting, but I thought I was doing what was best for her, best for me and best for whomever we might encounter; avoid, avoid and avoid.

Two months ago things took an ugly turn; Sammie starting attacking other older dogs in my pack. Had I not been there to intervene then some very serious, possibly deadly, damage might have been done. As it was, I made several trips to the vet to sew up lacerations caused by Sammie; she could go from 0 to bitch in about ½ a second. From what I could tell, she was never provoked, she just attacked. It was all I could do to stop the very one-sided attacks; I, too, was bitten more than once for my troubles. I felt helpless and powerless to prevent future attacks. Why couldn't she just be like the other dogs? I had to do something or else she would surely seriously injure or even kill a dog.

I contacted the shelter and was given the name of Lee Mannix, a professional dog trainer/behaviorist in Oak Hill. He had previously worked with several of the shelter's problem dogs, apparently successfully. I presented Sammie to Lee, who, true to form, was none too pleased to see Lee; he could not get within 7 feet of her before she exploded. He was skeptical that Sammie could be helped but wanted to start her in his next class, three weeks later. He said he could get a better idea then. In the meantime, I was to isolate Sammie from all other dogs and all humans but me. I agreed and confined Sammie to a large kennel, 23 hours per day. For three long weeks, she was out of the kennel only as long as it took relieve herself and then right back in again.

Despite the isolation, Sammie managed to attack two of my dogs during those three weeks, both times resulting in trips to the vet. This was partly due to carelessness by me; I wasn't paying attention when I should have been. When I gave the news to Lee about Sammie's attacks, Lee told me that Sammie had reached a point of no return, that he could not help her. In Lee's opinion, my best option was to euthanize her.

I was devastated. I wasn't expecting this. She could not stay in my home but I didn't want her dead, either. I decided to try to find her a new home although my expectations of successfully finding that home were very low. If I failed that task then I'd carry out Lee's suggestion. So, I put Sammie on craigslist, with detailed descriptions of all of Sammie's behaviors.

Right away I got a reply although not one that I was expecting. Christie Miller wrote to tell me that Sammie's behavior was not at all unusual and that she was certain that Sammie was not beyond help. Somewhat skeptical, I called Christie and agreed to bring Sammie to class. Why not, I figured. Indeed, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Well, I am happy to report that taking Sammie to Christie was the best decision I could have made and not just for Sammie. I quickly realized that I had to share part of the blame for Sammie's behavior. I had been raising all of my dogs with an attitude of “spare the rod, spoil the dog” and thought I was doing it pretty well. Except when I wasn't. Basically, I learned that every time I steered Sammie away from a situation for bad behavior – such as every time I broke up a dog fight – I wasn't following through to correct the bad behavior. Since I never taught her any different, Sammie never learned that there are consequences for behaving badly; she had no reason to alter her behavior.

We've been to just three classes but I can already see a huge improvement in Sammie and in me. I can also certainly see that Sammie absolutely need not be euthanized. She is a much better dog to be around and I look forward to the challenges ahead for Sammie and for me. Thank you, Christie, for giving us this second chance.

- Stephen J.