Fowler
We got Fowler from Hilbrae rescue centre in Feb 2008.  He was about 3 years old and had been picked up in Telford as a stray on more than one occasion.  He had first come in when he was very young and so they were able to be fairly accurate about his age.  We were never very sure of Fowler’s breeding but it seems likely that he was a Foxhound cross.  He was definitely a hound – hence the sad eyes!
Once Fowler had settled in it became apparent that he had a number of issues, Fowler:
•    acted aggressively towards other dogs
•    sometimes growled and snapped at visitors
•    sometimes acted ‘menacingly’ towards members of the public he didn’t like the look of
•    was unhappy travelling in the car
•    shadow chased
•    sometimes escaped
•    was a border line resource guarder
•    stole food
•    also chased our cat!
That is a pretty overwhelming list and although, unlike most of my clients, I have had training and should know how to deal with these issues, I still felt completely overwhelmed.  Before I took control of and started resolve Fowler’s behaviour it made me doubt my calling and I had a complete crisis of confidence.  I was very grateful that most of my clients aren’t local!  Daisy, the Terrier, and I used to have several local dog walking friends but after Fowler arrived they seemed to just ‘melt away’!
The most serious problem for me to begin with was Fowler’s aggression towards other dogs.  However, it soon transpired that Fowler always inhibited his bite and therefore he was unlikely to do any physical damage to another dog.  The behaviour was all show and bluster.  Fowler proved to be fine with some dogs but I soon learned to predict that he would react to generic large dogs, Retrievers, puppies, bouncy young dogs and often the 4th or the 5th dog that he had seen in a row.  Unlike many of my clients, Fowler often reacted aggressively to other dogs whether he was on or off the lead.
Initially, I had to walk him alone as I couldn’t risk Daisy copying the behaviour - and anyway it’s just too difficult to manage two dogs if one of them is kicking off.  This was a considerable drain on my time and energy, I lost weight and Tim (my husband) nearly left me!  Fortunately, Fowler was very greedy dog and with the addition of a head collar I largely had him under control and behaving quite well when out and about within 6 months.  Retraining him with a whistle improved his recall beyond recognition and before long he was largely under control off the lead too. Fowler really helped me put my feet in my clients’ shoes.  Clients with dog aggressive dogs, tell me how they scan the horizon looking for approaching dogs and how this is not very relaxing!  With Fowler, I soon found myself doing the same thing.  I tell my clients not to tighten the lead when approaching another dog and not to shout at their dog when she or he lunges at another.   Again with Fowler I soon understood the need to placate the owner of the 'victim' dog and even found myself tightening the lead and shouting at him on occasion!  As his stress levels gradually diminished most of Fowler’s other behaviours started to improve.  With the addition of management, boundaries and training, Fowler started to trust us to look after him in most situations.  This allowed him to defer responsibility to us – me anyway!
The shadow chasing was quite intense at times to begin with but had almost vanished from his repertoire before he died and we had got to the point that when Smog the cat came into the room, Fowler would automatically go to his bed to be rewarded with a treat.  I’m not so sure that he would behave as well if I was not there but Smog was also aware of this and therefore didn’t risk it which was cool.  The only problem that we failed to resolve was Fowler’s discomfort in the car, despite making considerable effort.  I concluded that he was just so content at home in his chair he was not motivated enough to come with us (unlike any other dog I have ever had) in order to overcome his anxiety.  A shame because it does make life more difficult having a dog who doesn’t travel well.
Daisy and Fowler hit it off from day one playing together immediately they met, although I never saw him play with another dog.  He had firm ideas about hygiene and he wouldn’t poo in our garden – indeed on several occasions climbed our (quite high) wall to have a crap in our neighbour’s garden!   Fowler would never drink out of his water bowl; but would always go outside and drink out of the pond or the bird bath!
Sadly last summer Fowler died at the age of only 6.  His spleen ruptured due to a tumour in June.  The Quarry Vets in Shrewsbury did a fantastic job of saving his life.  However, the tumour was malignant and after 3 months of being on tip top form after recovering from his op, on the 17th of August whilst he was camping with us in Somerset Fowler started bleeding internally and we were left with no choice but to find a local vet and have him put to sleep.
The last time we visited my mum’s before he died, Fowler stole a whole ham from her kitchen.  I’m so glad it made him so happy!  I will always be eternally grateful to Fowler and his grumpy ways.  I adored him and he gave me his trust and loved me back.  Once he had settled in he was the most content dog I have ever owned, a couple of walks, dinner and a few treats and he was happy.  Fowler taught me so much and with this knowledge I can now help other dogs – whether that would have made Fowler happy or not I guess I’ll never know.