Rocky

Maxine Goodman and Rocky

It all started back in November of 2008 when I heard about a Cocker who was abused by his owner to the point of his hip being dislocated and someone from Allentown was looking for a Cocker with some issues. Rocky was in a kennel and I thought it wouldn't be a good place for him and we needed to get this person approved for adopting a dog from our rescue group.
After Rocky was sprung from the kennel, the person decided that he couldn't adopt Rocky. Rocky was great with my female Cockers and once he knew that you weren't going to hurt him, he was a love bug. He wasn't good with kids at all. I kept Rocky until the middle of December when he was adopted to a lady who had an old Cocker. I explained Rocky's situation and was assured that she would take time and be patient.
I received a call December 26th that Rocky nipped her mother and she was bringing him back. Again, he was fine with me and my household. I then had him until the middle of February. He was again adopted by a family with grown children. He came back to me in 1 week 1 day. I was told he was nipping. He bit me very bad in the face and hands because he was scared. Once he got in my vehicle and at my house, he became the sweetest little dog again.
The same day that I picked him up was the day that I had to put one of my own down because of health reasons. The group said that I needed to euthanize him because he has bitten people, rehabilitate him or keep him. I could not put a healthy dog down. He had such a bad beginning of his life.
I decided to read many books and get a trainer in to give me pointers on how to deal with Rocky. Since 1985, I never had a dog like this before. Rocky will always be in training but he has come such a long way. Rocky trusts and loves me completely. I can do anything to this dog and he will not bite me. I get so emotional when I see him playing and looking happy because I know that if I wouldn't have taken the time and patience with him he would not be with us today.
He has taught me so much that I am surprised how my other dogs turned out so well. Rocky was at doggie play date recently with 37 other dogs and he was placed in a sit with his Halti on and he knew that he was working and had to obey. There was no lunging or barking wildly at dogs or people. I would never had taken him there the beginning of last year. It would have ended in a disaster to someone. He went up to several people to get treats but Rocky will never be loveable dog to unknown people.
When we were camping this past summer, Rocky was swimming in the creek and was so happy that I was just thrilled. I was walking around the campground with him and my parti Cocker perfectly. He was fine with people walking by us. He feels so comfortable with me and my husband.
My goal for Rocky is to live out his remainder of his days in happiness. He has taught me so much about how our actions can turn a happy go lucky dog into something that people want to dispose of. We have to be responsible for our actions to our pets. I also learned that the humans in the household need to be the pack leader and our every action tells the pets our mood, puts them at ease or distress, their position in the pack, etc. Your pets will feel the energy in your house and if you are not the pack leader, your pet or pets will decide who is in charge.