A DOG may be a man’s best friend, but one dog owner began questioning that after her pet pooch led to her injuring her back.

Linda McGhee, 41, and her partner James Curils, 49 were at their wits’ end with badly behaved Girly.

The pair adopted the two-year-old spaniel-collie cross from a rescue centre in Melton Mowbray, in February.

The first two weeks with their new dog seemed fine. But then the problems began.

Linda, of Clares Holm Close, Oakham, said: “Girly started howling when we passed other dogs, and would throw herself in the air and do somersaults in her effort to get off the lead and introduce herself.”

In fact Girly pulled to such an extent she gave Linda a trapped nerve in her back and James a nasty rope burn, when her lead wrapped around his hand.

“She just pulled so hard when she spotted another dog and tried to chase it and I had a sudden sharp pain in my back.” said Linda.

The canine chaos continued at home as well.

She would regularly go to the toilet on the floor, jump at anyone who came to the door, then would race around barking her head off,” said Linda. “We knew we needed help,” said Linda. A friend recommended canine behavioural therapist Judith Henson, from Bark Busters. Judith showed the couple how to communicate with Girly in a way that she understood and ensured she respected her owners. She said: “Girly was a nervous dog, who may have had a bad experience before she was as found as a stray and rehomed. “I showed Linda and James how to control Girly in a way which gave her confidence when she was out on the lead, and made her calm.”

Now Linda says Girly is a different dog and friends can’t believe how well behaved she has become.