What Happened When A Colorful Dog Ended Up On My Farm?

Cody, the pit bull, was found cut up and emaciated at a dump in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. When his rescuer, Katie, found the 9-year-old dog, he crawled into her lap, snuggling and bumping her with his muzzle. His recovery took a year.

Katie warned me that he had bitten other dogs, but after fostering and re-homing two other dogs, I was ready for a challenge, and on May 7, Cody arrived at Miles Smith Farm. At first, he barked and leaped at my giant Scottish Highland steers, lunged at my horses, and pulled on the leash to get the goats. How would I keep this bundle of aggression and anxiety from killing a goat or a calf?

After I put the horses away, Cody wiggled over to me, wagging his tail and worming his way between my legs. As I scratched his head, Flora, my 3-year-old St. Croix rescue, walked over, looking for affection. Cody growled and snapped as if to say, "This is my human. Stay away."

Yes, Cody was the difficult dog I'd asked for. What was I thinking? He was great with people, but this 60-pound dog did not get along with my farm animals, including my dogs Flora and Joy.

Cody may have spent the first eight years of his life as a "bait dog," goading other dogs to fight. His street smarts didn't include dog conversations like, "I'll sniff you, you sniff me, and we'll play." His learned aggression wouldn't help him on the farm.

I bought a muzzle and a harness with a handle to save my farm animals and give me time to retrain Cody.

Then, I started training.

Click here to find out what I did.

Carole Soule is the co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H. She raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs, and other local products. She can be reached at carolesoule60@gmail.com.