Ok my life is back on track.  But unfortunately Bradley is not having an ideal life. His behaviour is getting out of hand and Im full of guilt.  He's only getting 1 walk a day, when I have people round he jumps at them and flatterns them (one being a 6ft 15 stone male).  Last night when I went to bed he kept jumping on my face (I have scratches on my eyes). He is also in his crate for about 10 hours, now this is cruel. He is getting to strong and Im struggling to control him.
But he is my best freind and I love him to bits. Training is about £12ph which being on tight budget now is a little extreme.
Help..

To have a best friend you have to BE a best friend.  I am sure you will do what is in Bradley's best interests.

When Bradley jumped on your face how did you react. What do you do / others do when he jumps up? what breed is Bradley , how old is he?

What about group lessons?  This would be cheaper than individual training?

Emma, why can't Bradley be walked more than once a day??  I know that it's not ideal and my general rule is not to home puppies or youngsters with folk who work full time, but there are some people who make it work by keeping their dog high on the priority list and devoting all their spare time into exercising and training their dog.  Save you a lot more grief in the long run!! ;)

Bradley is a boxer he gets 2 walks a day the second being a short one about 20 mins on lead at lunch.  The second one is  about 40mins in the evening. He used to get 40mins off lead in the morning 15 mins at lunch and a further half an hour off lead chasing a ball.
When he jumped on my head yesterday all I could do was cover my face.  When I have guests round he is put on his halti and lead my guests have been told to ignore him, until he is calm and then a quick pat. When he is on his halti and people are there he makes a dreafull noise and foams at the mouth then eventually calms down.  This has all occured in the last 2 weeks, since Luis walked out.

It was only at 10.27 today that you said " He's only getting 1 walk a day"?????????????  Mental stimulation, as in training at home, is a tiring and necessary as physical exercise.
I know it's tough.  I've been in a similar situation many years ago, with a male afghan and a 2 year old daughter.  It's difficult juggling all the balls but if you set priorities it can be done.  Or maybe the alternative is to find Bradley a home with plenty of time and for you to concentrate on getting yourself and your daughter sorted? 
I'm sorry but I don't agree with the masses who think that it's a wonderful idea to give the responsibility of training to someone else each day.  I wouldn't want a dog who had bonded with someone else.  To me the pleasure of keeping a dog is to have the 'I know what you're thinking' relationship that goes both ways between dog and owner!!  A bit like leaving your children with an au pair all day and wondering why they don't have any table manners and answer you back in the evening!!  Your decision, and a tough one!  Good luck.

Val, I don't really class the lunchtime wlk as proper excercise because its so short. But Val read my post below my problems have been sorted he is going to a kindy garden during the day with two other dog.  Weve got training on Sundays and Im taking him to a hydro pool for fun and games.  If Im not a good owner show me one who is....Does your dog go to kindy garden during the day or when your out.  Not many do.  I know I have to do the right thing by bradley.  Do you think my solution is right? Or should I just rehome him?

Emma, I'm not meaning to criticise.  Having been there myself I understand it's tough.  I truly think that you have more than enough on your plate holding down a full time job, sorting out your finances, running your home and garden, making the right decisions for you and your daughter, making time for your daughter and all her out of school activities and time for you as an independant adult (and you need to have some time to yourself too!!), all the time trying to keep body, mind and soul together!!!  Phew!!!  
There is no doubt whatsoever that you love Bradley.  We all like to think that our dogs think that we're special and that we are the only people who can love and look after them.  In reality most dogs are happy with anyone who can give them the time and attention that they deserve - I've only had one bitch who wouldn't have agreed with that! 
Just a different view point Emma.  Not right, not wrong, just different!
I don't envy you at all - life's a bitch - but it's character building and you'll survive having learned a lot Emma. ;)

Thanks Val, it is a view point that has been expressed by friends and close family.  But I wouldn't go out if it was'nt for Bradley.As you can see Ive joined a training centre who have a very active social life, Aglility shows, retreive etc. It wil help me meet people and enjoy Bradley at the same time. Even though I still would reserve our Tuesday nights as we like to snuggle on the sofa and eat pizza and watch Simpsons as my daughter is at her Dads.Then Wednesday mornings are spent looking in the bakery window at 6.30am then off for a run to return and have another look in the bakery window.  Sad I know but we both love Tuesdays and Wednesdays its our special time.  Sundays will be spent Training for 2 hours.  Then we will do our usual walk from home into the woods which takes up 3 hours (not solid walking as I take a little lunch for us and sit by his favourite tree). If he wasn't there I would just sit inside and rot infront of the telly. imagine the size of my bum.

"imagine the size of my bum"
Oh Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! :D :D :D

Val, I don't really class the lunchtime wlk as proper excercise because its so short. I class excercise off the lead running and sniffing not pavement pounding. But Val read my post below my problems have been sorted he is going to a kindy garden during the day with two other dog.  Weve got training on Sundays and Im taking him to a hydro pool for fun and games.  If Im not a good owner show me one who is....Does your dog go to kindy garden during the day or when your out.  Not many do.  I know I have to do the right thing by bradley.  Do you think my solution is right? Or should I just rehome him?

Emma, I'm afraid no amount of training is going to get round the fact he is in a cage for 10 hours a day.  If there is nothing you can do to remedy that then I feel you really should be considering a different life for him.  I don't think you should feel at all guilty about that as it was not your fault that circumstances changed but I think you do have to face up to what is best from him (and ultimately what is best for you :))

Emma, have you had a look to see if there are any dog-walkers in your area that would be able to take him out for you while your at work?  Do you know any neighbours etc that might consider popping into see him during the day also?

I know how hard things must be for you at the moment - you think your getting one part of your life sorted and then something else comes up and smacks you in the face but I'm sure that you'll do whats right. 

((((hugs)))))

do u have any friends that would consider taking him in temporarily as a foster dog ? so that u could have him back when u are ready, rather than giving him up completely which i know would be awful for u. would his breeder help ?

sarah
x

Isabel,  Ive just had a phonecall from my a freind saying his wife is home all day he has two dogs one a Briard and the other a Lab they have 5 acres of land and his wife is willing to have Bradley all day.  She has also said we will get a training plan she will train during the day and spend half an hour with her in the evening training me.  This is brilliant.  Just when the chips are down the fairies come out and sprinkle dust on me.
What do you think is this a good idea?

Emma - that sounds ideal for you!!  Its worth a shot at least isn't it - I'd jump at the chance and hopefully Mr B will then settle down again, back into a routine with more social interaction during the day.  It'll be like playgroup for him - off to see his other doggy friends during the day, plus some training and then back home to mum in time for  snuggling down to an episode of The Simpsons!!

Go for it!!!

Apparently Daves wife is experienced in difficult dog.  Both dogs came from rescue with a few quirks and they are highly trained now walk of lead through the woods, reliable recalls, sit and stays, Your right it would be just like playschool,  he will probably have a better life than most dogs and people. Dave has also invited me out for walks in the evening which will be brilliant, he goes all over the place. They also live 10 minutes away. Blooming perfect,  when I fall I tend to land on my feet. Oh and to think this morning I was thinking the worst.

It sounds fantastic and will also mean that you've got peace of mind during the day too, I'm sure it will take a load off your mind to know that he's in good hands and not shut up all day - I know how stressful it can be to be doing your best but it just not being enough - I'd love to have a similar opportunity for Glazby though unfortunately don't know anyone nearby who would be able to.  He's okay though, he gets the run of the house during the day - we're lucky he's not destructive (god, famous last words - I'm probably going to go home now and find I don't have a living room anymore!!)

Let me know how he gets on, I have a feeling he's going to love it!!!

Oh Emma, I'm so pleased that you've found a perfect solution.  That's great news.  I'm really happy for you.  Bradley's lucky to have someone who cares so much about him, there are people out there who would just lock him in all day without another thought.

Emma I am delighted to read the news that you have found help with Bradley.  It sounds great and no reason why it shouldn't all go well.

Good luck.

Thanks to Kristine Ive now got Bradley booked in for training and a session in the hyro pool (just for fun)

Hello Emma has your friend Dave got room for me :) no only jesting - I think ;) it sounds ideal - you are a good owner and doing the best you can for Mr B.

Swimming will be great fun, Sal goes and loves it although she hates water. I know, I know I've got a quirky dog :)    
Karen 

Emma - if and when I pass my driving test can I bring Glazby along with you to the hydro pool, it sounds like fun??!!

By the sounds of it he'll be the most stimulated doggy around and will love him mum all the more for it (especially if he gets pizza whilst watching Simpsons)!!

If you are 'nice' to Emma and once Bradley's got used to swimming you are allowed to swim
upto 2 dogs each session for the same cost. You are also allowed to swim with your dogs....
So Bradley and Glazby could have great fun swimming together and soaking their respective 'mums'
:D

Im not ure Bradley will be to keen to begin with but they strap a little life jacket on until he gets used to it. Bradley will walk around puddles and not through them.  I can go in aswell.  Really looking forward to it I think he will have a big grin from one jowl to the other.

lol - just imagining Bradley with a lil life jacket on, doing doggy paddle like his life depends on it!! :D

I really like the idea of going swimming with them, I'll have to work extra hard on my CD Goddess Programme so that I can fit into my cozzie!!

Glazby walks around little puddles while we're on our walks but when we take him up onto the waterlogged football pitch for a run he loves laying down in the puddles while he has a drink!!