EVER heard the one about the claustrophobic dog?

It might sound like a joke but it cost a Lianhilleth resident more than £2,500.

Whenever Cath Willis, of Nant-y-Cwm, left golden labrador Charlie alone he would attack the house.

In less than a year he destroyed 13 pairs of curtains, five sets of blinds, and wrecked a bathroom and bedroom.

Mrs Willis, 43, was puzzled because Charlie was only alone for two hours a day.

“For the first few months we never left him alone. But as he got a bit older I left him when I went to do voluntary work,” she said.

“It was only a couple of hours before my daughter came in from school, but long enough to wreak havoc. No pair of curtains or blinds would stay up.”

To solve the problem Mrs Willis tried putting Charlie, now 18 months old, into a dog crate. But he chewed his way out.

She then tried shutting him in the bathroom, thinking he would be safe.

She had been told nervous dogs should be kept in a confined space when alone.

“When I came home Charlie had literally wrecked the bathroom, the shower curtain was down and trashed, but he had also tried to get to the window and managed to set a tap running, flooding the bathroom which then caused the kitchen ceiling to collapse.”

Shocked by the damage she decided to take Charlie with her.

“I tried leaving him in my car for a few minutes, but he went mad, barking and whining. He even chewed his way through one of the seat belts.”

The final straw came when Charlie jumped out of an upstairs window.

“I was really worried about his safety. I thought he would break his back and then that would be the end of him.”

Mrs Willis reluctantly found a new home for Charlie, with a couple who would not have to leave him alone. He was due to be collected when she saw an advert in the Argus for dog problem-solvers Bark Busters.

Dog trainer Jinny Hatton stepped in to help. She said: “In all my years in dog training I have never come across a claustrophobic dog. Initially I tried a host of techniques to cure separation anxiety.

“But as time went on and nothing had an effect I was forced to re-think and it was only then that I began to suspect Charlie was claustrophobic.”

Once the condition was diagnosed, the solution was simple.

Allowing him to have the run of the house and making sure the curtains were pulled well back so he could see out has solved the problem.

Mrs Willis said: “I did as suggested and low and behold Charlie was fine. The joke is from the minute I go out until the minute I come home he never leaves my daughter’s bedroom.

“He stays there looking out of the window until I come back.

“I really can’t thank Jinny enough, she is quite amazing,” Mrs Willis said.

To find out more about Bark Busters call Freephone 0808  100 4071.