I totaly agree ref. training, sometimes all a dog needs is stability, routine, a decent dinner, and lots of TLC.

Our Casey is a different dog now, big yes, but like yours he is a gentle giant and I never put him on lead unless we are near a road.

Ah, we are on the same page here. Ours was a very nervous boy when we first collected him from the rescue centre.

Casey had been in a general rescue kennels for about a year and then a further year with the Newfoundland Club welfare lady.

Some dogs absolutely hate being in kennels and they stress out as you've discovered, but you've obviously done a grand job with him and he'll repay you with lifelong and unconditional devotion.

Thank you kindly.

I've said this before but it bears a repeat.

You have to be prepared to invest time and patience if you are, or want to be, a dog owner. And you get repaid many times over.

But I think there are those who want to have a dog, sometimes inappropriate to their circumstances, who haven't really thought it through or maybe just don't realise.