Well, Leo is 4 months old now and he has been going to puppy class since the middle of Oct. Last Mon night we went to class as usual, even though I didn't want to and my friend that brings her chow puppy (Leo's brother) didn't go. She thought the trainer was an idiot and a chow bigot. Class is an hour long and every week I get lectured about Leo. The class consisted of 2 chow's, 2 boxers and 1 labradoodle. The boxers are both hyper little things, but Ajax was the worst. He was constantly in Leo's face, bouncing on him. Ajax's trainer was worthless and had no control at all over him. Leo would get fed up and growl at him and then the trainer would lecture ME about not allowing my dog to behave that way. I was always giving Leo a quick pull on the leash and a "No" evertime he went for the boxer. The trainer constantly told me I wasn't doing enough, but when I asked what I was supposed to do, he just talked in circles. Anyway, there was a new puppy at class this week and the first thing he did was growl at Leo. When it was time to have "free play" Leo made a mad dash for the new dog (I think it was a brittany). There was growling and stuff and Leo jumped on the other dog. The trainer immedietly grabbed Leo by the collar and held him up in the air. I ran to him, grabbed Leo away and yelled that he was hurting my dog. He told me that Leo and I should sit out today. I started to tell him I was leaving and he interrupted me and told me I needed to go and I should contact him to get a refund. He said I had an aggressive dog and I was unwilling to deal with him. What I was unwilling to do was hang my puppy by the neck if he growled at another puppy. Leo plays with dogs in my neighborhood all the time, there is growling, nipping and rolling involved and they are all having a great time. I know many of you will say "Oh, he is a chow, that trainer is probably right", but you would be wrong. Leo is a puppy and he is acting like a puppy. He never shows any type of aggression here at home and I have a 2 year old that likes to try to ride him when I am not looking. Anyway, I am sure a bunch of you will slam me and say I better watch my chow, but my point is how can a trainer of any dog promote hanging? He even commented once that if one of his dogs (he breeds beautiful Goldens) ever growled at a person, he would have to have him put down. I don't think he should be around animals at all!!!!!
Tracy & Leo the Aggressive