something has turned my normally lovely dog into a growling, barking, monster

[hatwoman]

He's a labrador, wonderfully socialised, loves people, kids especially, gets on great with all other dogs. with one exception. this is sending him loopy. he's terrified, takes 5 mins to gear himself up to sniff it, then leaps away, cowers and growls.

he's not really a monster btw. just a bit confused.I think Paddy is going to have to go...

Send Paddy away now he's scaring me!

It looks like the offspring of a labrador shagging a bag on wheels!

Oh I had one bit like that when I was little. My db's and I LOVED it - think he's still alive in a loft somewhere.

But I can understand your dog's anxiety - he might feel he's going to be replaced by a non moulting, non barking, cheaper-to-feed model who doesn't need walks.

Remember how Gromit felt in The Wrong Trousers, with Feathers McGraw and those dog walking trousers.

it's really quite entertaining watching him...I mean it looks like a dog to us, but I'm stunned that it looks like a dog to A. I mean it doesn't smell. it doesn;t move. it doesn't wag its tail.

maybe that's the problem.

HW think how you would feel if someone brought home your twin only she was stuffed attached to wheels and didn't move or smell...I'm with the dog (the one not on wheels) on this one!

LOL dodgy jumper - I reckon that would freak me out good & proper

Hatwoman - perhaps he is trying to alert you to the fact this isn't a real dog - he's probably thinking, 'oh dear, she's really lost it now...'

I had a similar one when I was little.
My dog killed it. Pulled it to pieces.

Now what were you thinking of buying it in the first place? We have 3 dogs and every time poor dd begs me for a life size toy dog she is met with scoffs. 3 buggers is enough.

in Paddy's defence I think he's the one who has a right to take umbridge. He emerges from a 3-year confinement under the stairs to discover a huge newcomer brute growling and barking at him. and chewing his ears.

You're scaring me now, hatwoman.

Paddy is - how can I put this? - stuffed

Paddy is spooky. Trust your dog's instincts.

don't know what to do...dds have put tons of stuff in the charity shop pile...but not Paddy. apparently he has to stay.