As expected, adopting a shelter dog has been a time of ups and downs. Franklin has been with us for two years now and during that time we learned a lot about each other. He started out so perfect that we could hardly believe that we were so lucky!
Then after about six months he started getting territorial and could get very aggressive to visitors (nipping and biting), including some family members. We were so surprised; he seemed like another dog. He had been so very sweet and loving with everyone we knew, good with our family cat and got along well with other dogs.
After meeting with our vet and an animal behaviorist it was determined that he needed way more exercise as well as we needed to develop a stronger alpha dog role than what we were providing - two long walks a day! Soooo, Franklin was no longer allowed on the couch and we emphasized his obedience training. He was enrolled for two days of doggie day care at Maranatha Kennels where he has lots of space to romp and play with other dogs. And lastly we have been fortunate to find a very large, mostly penned in area to take him for long runs, which he get most days.
Now we are back to hardly believing that we are so lucky to have found Franklin, our ‘lucky pup’.
I am sending several pictures, just can't resist.
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