Zeus; Creating a Storm
By Ross McCarthy
This morning, I went out on a home visit to see Aaron and Dave along with their two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Both Aaron and Dave were at their wits end – their once stable canine pack has erupted and their dogs are fighting four or five times a day. There has been a dramatic escalation over the past few weeks and now Storm and Zeus are separated permanently. Storm is left outside at night and Zeus stays in the house and during the day the places are reversed. Dave explained to me on the telephone that these fights had drawn blood and were increasing in intensity and they decided separation was the best option.
I left London and set off for leafy Essex . I could tell from the address that the house would be fairly grand (I love looking around people's homes – a little perk of the job!)
As I pulled up at the gated entrance and announced my arrival over the intercom, the gates parted and I drove up a long winding gravel drive to the most beautiful house surrounded by even more beautiful grounds; I found my mind wandering to the day that I win the lottery and when I buy a house like that. My daydream was quickly interrupted by a massive ginger lump colliding with my car door! That was Zeus doing his guard dog bit!
Two much more friendly faces then came and peered at me – Aaron and Dave. They both physically hauled Zeus off so that I could open my door and whilst I checked my car for scratches; they made their way back into the house.
I was escorted through to the kitchen; desperately trying to be polite whilst taking in the surroundings, the gym and the pool that I passed, the amazing dining room – I urgently wanted to grab my mobile and record each step to later show my friends…however, I quickly recalled that I wasn't an estate agent, nor was a lottery win very probable so better focus on the job in hand.
Storm was in the kitchen and Aaron ensured that Zeus was firmly shut outside before we entered dare the dogs set eyes on each other.
Both were impressive – very large and healthy looking dogs. Both dogs have been sent to residential training establishments for formal training. So after a quick cappuccino (I know!! – they had a great coffee machine!!) I asked to see their dogs on lead and a demonstration of their obedience control that they paid thousands for. Neither Aaron nor Dave demonstrated anything like control of the dogs. I asked how they behaved on walks in the countryside. Dave and Aaron both went silent – each waiting for the other to answer. Aaron said “what you mean like…off the property?” Urm, yeah; came my reply. Turns out they don't walk their dogs – they have never been out for a walk.
We were able to put Zeus in a paddock area at the side of the house and allowed Storm to loose to investigate – on sight of each other, all hell broke loose. Storm virtually flew up to the pen and began trying to get to Zeus. Zeus was equally as aggressive. It was patently obvious both dogs wanted to fight.
Luckily, my colleague Judy had attended the consult with me to observe and I felt a whole lot better with her handling a dog than either Aaron or Dave. I asked if they would mind if Judy and I went off for a walk with both dogs. Dave went ashen and Aaron was beaming – “Sure” said Aaron, “I'll get their leads”. Are you sure, commented Dave…
Judy set off with Storm and made her way to the glorious Essex countryside – miles and miles of lush green fields with the sun beaming down – perfect for what we needed to do.
I followed on a few minutes later with Zeus. He spotted Judy and storm way before I did and began to lunge and bark. I could see in the distance that Storm was equally “excited”. I knew that Judy would be thinking the same as I was “What the hell am I doing!” These are big strong dogs and I just hoped that Judy would keep hold of Storm.
Off we set; Judy began walking with Strom and I began with Zeus. I followed one hedgerow and Judy another – about five hundred yards apart.
As the growling and salivating reduced, Judy and I would raise our arms to indicate a little more progress. That was our cue to move a few steps closer together.
Two hours it took until the heat, exercise and novelty of being ‘outside' had got the dogs walking next to each other without aggression – not because a behavioural miracle had happened, because they were knackered!
Judy and I were worn out too, but like a gift from above – we spotted an idyllic little thatched country pub. Judy and I needed to re-hydrate after our strenuous work-out. We slipped a muzzle on each dog as we sat down on separate tables. Both Zeus and Storm just flopped down. We then moved towards the same table and sat comfortably in close proximity.
In a bizarre move, I decided to call Aaron and Dave to come to the pub and so that they could walk the dogs home. When they arrived, they were patently surprised to see the dogs lying so close together. I asked them to sit at another table; I did not want their presence to spark an altercation. I was conscious that the beer garden was now getting busy and we were already the centre of attention with these colossal dogs and with Aaron and Dave playing ‘musical chairs'!
Aaron and Dave set off home with Zeus and Storm with Judy and I dragging our heels behind them!
The dogs walked back well and we walked straight into the house, nonchalantly slipped the muzzles on as we entered and took our seats in the lounge and released the dogs – off they went and slept in separate corners of the room.
I sat and imparted the rest of my advice – which included a little more leadership, a huge amount more exercise together and a few techniques to stop the fights if they ensued.
I felt it critical that these dogs be walked together every day, three times a day for as long as possible. Dave and Aaron agreed and with the aid of head-collars now walk their dogs each and every day for a few hours. Curiously there have been no incidents of aggression between the two dogs since that day. They have had far more enjoyable and rewarding experiences than fighting in their lives now.
I am always amazed that people think that you can have dogs and not exercise them – regardless of how much acreage you do nor do not have – it is the sights, sounds and smells of new locations and the mental and physical exercise that keeps dogs physically and psychologically stable. Remove exercise and time with the pack – there is a whole lot of other time available in the day to indulge in somewhat less productive activities – like destruction, barking or inter-pack fighting. My modus operandi is to wear your dogs out – tired dogs are good dogs! Same applies to kids too!
