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Location: Sheffield
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,856
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I have had similar problems with Takara at times. I've laid in bed wondering if it would be better for her to be with someone else but when push came to shove I couldn't ever have done it.
I had to do a lot of rebuilding with Takara after she found me too unpredictable (depression etc) for her to get too close to me. As I speak she's cuddled upto my side as I've been for a hospital procedure today and she's stayed with me all day. We now have an incredible bond and recently were at Crufts for the Friends For Life comp. She goes everywhere with me to help me with my physical disability as well as anxiety and during a recent hospital stay, my parents said she never stopped waiting for me to come home.
I never thought we'd get to that stage when she was younger and we didn't 'bond'.
Sometimes, however - we still have training issues. I got the book 'Control Unleashed' by Leslie McDevitt, which if you haven't read it, may help. It takes out all of the conflict between the handler and the environment and means you can use your dog's environment to train your. Some of it's common sense - some of it is pure genius!
Eddy can't be allowed offlead his recall is non existent - even with other dogs around. It doesn't mean his relationship with me isn't good. He enjoys walking alongside me on the lead and I can make it longer if he wants to go for a sniff. He absolutely loves his cuddles with us and nothing makes me think he's not happy with us.
I like him to go offlead so we go to places like tennis courts and basket ball courts which are enclosed so he can go offlead.
Do you have an indoor riding school anywhere nearby? Sometimes they will hire out their premises for dog owners to use. I know a group of people with greyhounds who, as ex-racers can't be allowed offlead so they take them to an indoor riding school and let them all run together. Perhaps you could do this with some friends?
Of course if you really feel, deep in your heart that you can give her up and that she would be happier at your friend's house then perhaps that would be for the best if she has somewhere to go where you can keep in touch and ensure she's ok.