Was Big Murph Scared Straight?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Pretty much everyone knows how naughty Big Murph has been and how he's had us on our last nerve.  We were actually so "burned out" from the hours and hours of training, Vet visits, monitoring his every thought and move that I'll confess I looked forward to getting away for a week, without the Doods.  I knew they'd be fine at their Daycare because we know the owner well and they go there once a week.  She is a trainer and knows how to handle Murph...he gets away with nothing there.  They've stayed overnight before but only for a couple nights....never a week.  My expectations were that we'd pick Murph up on Sunday and he'd go right back into his dominant behaviors.  Interestingly enough he has been totally low key....even mellow.  WTD?  Scared straight?

He's not "guarding me", or terrorizing our DS, or attacking his brother.  We had a training session today and he was all "la di da" as we passed by lots and lots of other dogs.  Our trainer thought maybe we had already started him on the meds.  It was so exciting (and I was still so relaxed from vacation) that he and I went looking for dogs...any dogs.  He could have cared less and was totally into the turkey that he was getting for treats and me telling him that he "rocked" instead of having to repeatedly correct him.  So did he get a lobotomy at Daycare or did he get scared that we were never coming back and this would be his future....

His life at Daycare is very structured.  He plays all morning and then into a crate for a two hour nap.  They playing again until six when he has his dinner.  Then back in his crate until eight when he goes out to potty and them back to the crate for the night.  These are really large crates, but still it's not like he has the freedom he has at home.  Maybe this was helpful to him.  Who knows with Murph.  By tomorrow he could be back to himself, but for now this is nice.  We have our Vet appointment on Thursday, and she will start the meds right away.  This cruise was great for all of us!

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm glad Murph is doing better!  I hope the meds help even more.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jane, This kind of thing happened to my parents. My father was diagnosed with dementia and their temperamental Springer began snapping at Dad when he would try to take something (like Kleenex) out of his mouth. The dog would never have done that when my Father was healthier. Eventually he badly bit his hand. Dad didn't remember that he couldn't take things from the dog. His "weakened" condition seemed to give license to the dog to dominate him. I think this is probably the way it works for dogs with these tendencies. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

@Nancie.  This behavior with Murph started a few months ago along with the escalation of all his other dominance/aggressiveness.  The Behaviorist said it's not at all unusual for this to emerge around this age.  He picked Tim because he could sense that he was intimidated (in other words "he could").  She said dogs in this state of mind with usually find the "weak links" and go after them.  The more Murph behaved this was the more frightened Tim became so it was a vicious cycle.  Now that we have Tim as the one to give all the treats (except during training when I give them) and feed him, things are starting to improve.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good news about Murphy, although he may be the only one who doesn't love Tim.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Love to you, Murphy and Guinness. xoxo

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Thinking about you and your big boy!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I am glad to hear that Murphy is still doing great.  I wonder what made him decide one day to go after Tim.  He didn't have this problem did he when he was growing up?  I find it very strange that they live in the same house and then one day he decides he is not to his liking.  Hugs to all!!!  Loved the cruise pictures of everyone.  Tim seems to be "da Man"!!!  lol

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murph continues to do better, although he's still very uncomfortable around Tim.  He started on the Prozac yesterday, and I'm hopeful that will help.  We're sending him to Daycare for half days a few times a week now and I'm keeping him on the treadmill with an incline for an hour.  All of this is keeping him pretty tired out.  He did a good job at the Vet yesterday even around the other dogs while on leash.  It has been raining a lot this week so we haven't had a good walk around other dogs since Tuesday.  Thanks everyone for your continued concern and support!

[BG and Gavin]

We do love you Murph!  Hope you are still minding your Ps and Qs!

[Bonnie and Kona]

It's the question of the day.... How's the "new" Murphy?