[News] Pampered Pooch No Longer Top Dog

[fasteddie]

Bailey the dog may look harmless, but a frustrated couple were forced to sleep apart and fork out for hotels because of his constant attention-seeking.

Phil Woodlock and Jacqui Mallin were driven to despair by the barking tantrums of her attention-seeking dog, Bailey the Yorkshire terrier.

Despite being a mere six inches tall, the pint-sized pooch laid down the law to Mr Woodlock, a prison governor, preventing him sharing a bed, or even the sofa, with his partner of six years.

They finally called in dog training expert, Victoria Stilwell, presenter of It's Me Or The Dog! on Channel 4, who quickly got to the root of the problem.

She was astonished to find the pampered pooch, who refused to eat dog food from a bowl, was allowed by Ms Mallin and her daughter Holly, 18, to eat from their forks and plates at the dinner table.

Ms Stilwell said: "It was obvious that Bailey belonged in a dog bed, not Jacqui's bed. There were three in this relationship - and Bailey was the top man."

Simple tricks

The expert dog trainer introduced a number of simple techniques which brought about an immediate change in one-year-old Bailey's behaviour.

She taught Mr Woodlock to turn his back on the puppy, a pacifying gesture, which now allows him to sit on the sofa without fear of being savaged.

She also prepared Bailey's food with garlic, making his meal smell enticing and for the first time he began eating from a dog bowl on the floor.

Giving rewards and squealing to signal the end of playtime were used to improve Mr Woodlock's communication with his rival.

Bedtime remains a challenge, as Bailey is banished from the bedroom to sleep in a dog basket outside his mistress's room.

But Ms Mallin, a human resources boss in Edinburgh, has stood firm and ignored the puppy's agonising barks to spend the night with her man.

Bailey's new playmate

And Bailey's new playmate, 14-week-old Molly, another Yorkshire terrier puppy, soaks up much of his craving for attention.

Ms Mallin said: "Victoria has completely transformed Bailey from a devil dog into an angelic little beastie. It's now a lot less stressful in this household.

"He used to get away with murder but now Phil and I can spend quality time together. It's saved us a small fortune on hotel bills!"

Mr Woodlock, who works at Shotts Prison, near Glasgow, said: "I would have to spend 95 per cent of the time in the spare room.

"I used to feel that if Jacqui had to make a decision between the dog and me it would be the dog! Bailey ruled this house but now he's totally changed."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

[PlatinumYorkies]

That makes no sense to punish him for the things they made him accustom to!!! It wasn't his fault! Poor Bailey!

[Bella Bear]

I dont think they punished him as much as retrained him. I'm surprised it work though, there is still hope for Bella Monster! I'm kidding, she's not bad at all. lol!

[rrosenberry]

They create this little moster,, then they can't deal with him.... hmmmmm Then they get another one.... maybe they learned their lesson...

[lilbumbleybees]

I nipped any problem like that in the butt before it ever started. I refuse to let my dogs literally rule the house. I'm boss, and they know it. I think it's great they taught Bailey that he doesn't rule the roost, and that there are rules. It makes for a much more enjoyable and happy environment for both the dog and the family.

[niko]

My Niko barks when family members give hugs and don't include him. He will sleep in his cage but it must be in someone's bedroom or he'll bark for hours. He is as cute as a button but he is very bossy lately. I don't know what changed him in the past 2 months. He's 14 months now.

[Jenn218]

I actually felt sorry for Bailey, but I know this problem needed to be handled. I hope that the owners learned from this one....I'm not sure if getting another would be a good idea, until they learned to handle one......I am glad it all worked out....it would be neat to see how their problems have changed, etc. over time.

Does the garlic powder actually work....I didn't know this was something that could be done......