THE idea of dog therapy might sound barking mad - but the beloved pet of one Gwent couple owes his life to it.

Failed police dog Ben so terrified his new owners, and his behaviour was so unpredictable, they feared he might have to be put down.

Now, after receiving therapy, he's a reformed character.

"If he'd hurt a member of the family or someone else, there would only have been one option," said owner Chris Baugh, 36, from Llanfrechfa.

The two-year-old German shepherd was adopted by Mr Baugh and his wife, Julie, from Bath Green, when police handlers decided he wouldn't make the grade as a police dog.

For two weeks Ben seemed fine, then the trouble began. He began growling and lunging at Mrs Baugh, until she was frightened of being in the house alone with him.

"It was awful," said Mrs Baugh, 38.

She added: "I loved him and was frightened of him at the same time. I often went and hid away upstairs, just to get away from Ben when I was in the house on my own with him."

Then he bit a shocked Mr Baugh, when the father of two went to stroke him, and the couple worried about the safety of their teenage children, Ryan, 14, and Natasha, 17.

Outside the house Ben would bark and lunge aggressively at any passing dog and was very difficult to walk.

But the couple resisted the suggestion from some to have Ben destroyed.

"It was never an option," said Mr Baugh. However, they did arrange for him to be re-homed.

"It was dreadful the day that Ben went, I cried all night, but I needn't have worried, he was back the next day because his new owners couldn't cope with him," said Mrs Baugh.

Then the couple saw an advert in the Argus for a dog training and therapy service - Bark Busters.

They made the call, and haven't looked back.

Dog specialist Jinny Hatton managed to resolve Ben's problems.

She said: "He's a lovely dog, but has a very nervous temperament and his aggression stemmed from fear."

"I showed Julie and Chris how to become effective leaders to Ben, and as a result he is now relaxed and able to enjoy a loving family life."

"Jinny showed us how to communicate with Ben properly, and how to read him more effectively," said Mr Baugh.

He added: "It's amazing, he is now so affectionate, and wonderful with Julie. He is now perfectly behaved both in and out of the home."