Today, Coco reminded me we still have a long way to go. We were enjoying a really lovely, peaceful woodland walk. Not usually anyone else there. On our way back, we approached the main path when Coco suddenly took off - pronking like a gazelle - he vanished. I called. Nothing. I whistled. Nothing. I looked around, wondering which way he'd gone when I spotted him through the trees. A woman was leading him back by his collar. He'd beelined for her dogs (also off lead) - but one had eyesight problems and so was rather skittish. She'd sent them on ahead with her walking partner while she brought Coco back to me. I did gush apologies. She was OK-ish about it. We chatted & she showed me photos of her dogs. Coco completed the rest of his walk on the lead (he walked very well). Feeling a bit disappointed (with myself) at the moment.
Dont be too hard on yourself. It happens. I went back to group training after 2 months and felt like a total idiot. Its good the woman was okay-ish with you it seems good natured of her to stop and chat. It will get better as this forum has taught me
Sue, I still remember your post a couple of weeks back where you talked about Coco ignoring a dog in the distance when you were on the beach doing some retrieves with him. I was (and still am) very impressed. Ok, so today he gave into the doggy kryptonite, but he didn't the other week! If it makes you feel better about 3 months ago Xena barreled over to a small doggo who I thought was off-leash - he wasn't, it was a thin Flexi cord which is invisible from a short distance - poor doggo was blind! Ugh, I'm still mortified, and so very angry at myself for letting that happen. Yup, we've all been there to some extent.
So sorry but you've done so brilliantly with him.he's just a doggie being a dog . He really is an awesome dog but he wouldn't be without you .it's just a hicup tomorrow is another day. Hugs from Me and the soppy monsters
It's inevitable that this kind of thing happens here and there. It used to really bother me and question my training and trust in Quinn. But at the end of day, a young dog will sometimes find something unpredictable super exciting and go for it. I think about the successful walks and try to start fresh each day. He has made tons of progress!
Today has been a pants today. Not good at all. Thank goodness I got 2 lovely dogs to keep me warm and keep my spirits up. I wouldn't be without them they get me through the hard days.
Rory is not impressed I'm not very entertaining today. He's just donr s puppy thing so that I would interact with him. Apparently Im a rubbish woman today.
Hope you can get some rest & rejuvenation @SwampDonkey - big licks from Coco-the-absconder & best wishes from me.
Sigh I thought we were getting there with Alfie and his running up up to other dogs but he did it twice today (and I had cheese!). Back to the drawing board .
Apparently I left my filter at home this morning (the filter between your brain and your mouth - the one that stops you from saying the wrong thing). I bumped into a lady with an 8month old lab this morning. She said "oh your girl is so lovely and slim and mines so chunky. What's your secret?" I said "it's all about diet and exercise" to which she replied "oh, she gets plenty of exercise". At this point I blurted out "well she's fat because you feed her too much". The silence was deafening...
@edzbird , you aren't alone, Lucky did the same thing yesterday! We were in the woods and he had his nose in the air sniffing for something, and then bolted off at top speed. I found him pretty far ahead with one of his best friends and a couple of other dogs, leaping around and barking like a lunatic. I felt so frustrated about it all day. But, as others have said, lots of dogs get overexcited and dash off every now and then. And you're doing everything right with Coco's training! Today I'm going to take Lucky somewhere quiet, in case he remembers how much fun he had yesterday!
Have you ever seen a dog trying to poop in a hurry? Holly was just settling into her first poop of the day when I started to put her breakfast kibble into her china bowl. Her head shot up as she heard the first clink, I could see her quivering as she looked over her shoulder towards the house. She finished her poop as she waddled towards the back door.
