No harm in having a back up plan @Dexter and as others are saying, relax. If Dexter copes without a head collar brilliant, if you find he will calm quicker with using one also brilliant. It can always be taken off once he gets his head around all the new and interesting sights and smells. A calm dog will learn quicker. I'm all for training but whilst my Dexter is still learning there are times when I have to manage the situation. Proof as much as you can before you come over for your holiday, as you are doing, see what happens once you're here, train when you can and manage when you can't so that you don't spoil what you have already worked so hard on and achieved. Don't beat yourself up or you'll be worn out and frazzled before you get here and that won't be good for you or Dexter.
Oh heck.....I'm quickly back ,I've stirred the sand up haven't I Julie is righty though in that if I'd only wanted agreement I wouldn't have asked you all to be honest so I really ,really appreciate ALL of your opinions ,advice and suggestions,Thankyou X I always try and use whatever training opportunities come along ....yes,I have been known to be late for appointments because there was an obliging cat sitting in the park happy For us to do some focus work around.....and we are all the better for it.I don't walk with many dogs on lead because I know I will want to stop whenever Dexter pulls and I feel like I can't as it will be irritating.None of my dog walking friends ( as much as I love them all)except one really prioritise not pulling so I feel a nuisance holding everybody up....hence I choose to meet in a off lead area where Dexter doesn't get the chance to pull ....but then of course he also doesn't get the chance to practice. Interestingly when I dog sit And I'm walking 2 on lead dogs myself ....Dexter walks brilliantly.... Maybe that's the answer .....bin the head collar and get another dog! I guess I need to stop worrying what other people may think of me so much...if I want to stop and standstill to let him remember his manners ,everyone else can wait for me to catch up........ at the time of going to press...I remain undecided!
Good post Angela , stop worrying about others and what they might think , just do what you feel you should be doing Ironic you posting about walking two dogs on lead , Millie pulls at times , but walk them both on lead together and they walk perfectly
I have one friend who will happily wait and I do the same for her. Other times I've met up with another group, they wait or go ahead but once my Dexter has got his puppy brain into gear, it's off lead with this group. Always good to have lots of different advice and choose whichever works for you. Whatever you decide, have a fun fun fun holiday.
I think sometimes with all the will in the world things can go a bit awry...you should have seen Benson and Pongo yesterday!!!! Both over aroused and pulling like trains....it happens we just laughed it off (as we jogged alongside each other puffing a bit...) I was able to keep Benson fairly calm and responsive for a while and he was fine. Later on I got a bit distracted and Benson become very excited. I just adapted my toolkit and had him in both a front and back fastening harness, if someone had given me a head collar at time, well I would have probably put one on as well! (Benson not me...) My thoughts are the environment can be awfully stimulating and a bit too much, so I would scope out some quieter places for family to walk Dexter, and have something like a perfect fit harness for those occasions. I would work on ensuring Dex is completely happy in a head collar for dire emergencies only. Personally I don't enjoy my dogs getting over-excited, yesterday was my fault by getting distracted, and there were lots of aroused and excited dogs around which didn't help. In summary, I would work on helping Dex keep calm, and not too aroused by checking out the local more quiet dog walking areas, take everything in your toolkit, relax, if things go a bit wrong, sit down with a large G&T, put your feet up and don't worry!
Pongo is just wonderful! I think though the boys were egging him on a bit..I swear I heard Benson say "Go Pongo, go Pongo!"
