Just to show there definitely ARE lovely people out there. I was walking in the wood last week - I go early when there's usually no-one around else Coco will run up to people/dogs before I see them. This day, I spotted a spaniel, then another, and another. I caught Coco before he saw them - they came out onto the path and towards us, Coco saw them & I struggled to contain him a bit. They reached us so I released Coco and they all greeted nicely. Then their man appeared. He was very nice, he admired Coco, patting him, then he said I was not to worry about catching him if we ever came across them again, he was happy for them to greet. I thought this very kind as I'm always so on edge about Coco upsetting people, just to have these kind words made me so happy. As they made their way down the hill, I recalled Coco from the spaniels - he came and we went the opposite way, up the hill. I hope we bump into them again.
Thanks for post that Sue, very reassuring amidst the horrific incidences on the forum over the last few days. There are good, kind people out there and it's great when you meet them x
Meeting "bad people" is like dog training. ALWAYS concentrate on the positives. This is how I face work too. As a GP's receptionist I take some shit, but there's so many more lovely people I come across. So many. Most folk are good.
Oh, that is so nice. I don't want to hijack, but if I may add my own from the morning? I went to one of the local beaches here in Cornwall, bright and early, as soon as it got light. It was absolutely deserted, W&S went absolutely crazy, because they adore the sea. I practiced some drills, but inbetween, then were doing bum-tuck laps of the beach. It was brilliant! To cut a very long story short, after some time, more and more people started arriving. All locals, all super friendly and with their own dogs. W&S were a bit anxious after the relocation, but all the dogs were really good. The owners all had ball chuckers rolleyes and were throwing whatever ball they could find for whatever dog would chase it. Apparently, they all meet there every morning at the same time! I have other beaches I want to go to, and other walks to try, but they were so welcoming that I can't not go back there. I got advice as to the best place for fish & chips, for a proper Cornish pasty and the best cream tea! Heheheh! In Surrey, the most you will generally get is a nod, but these people were all just delightful. They do exist. Hurrah!
I always imagine it's the same on the Isle of Man! I've never been, how do you find the general population?
It's very subjective though, isn't it? What if actually you couldn't have recalled Coco from the spaniels? What if he had a lousy recall away from other dogs, so you would not have wanted to release him because you couldn't have got him back? Then, this owner would have been totally inconsiderate in your view, having his dogs off lead, jumping round Coco, with you struggling to contain him? Sigh.... I just think all this 'people are nice' or 'people are horrible' thing that we have going on here on the forum right now is all just a question of perspective. In my view, those spaniels should not have approached Coco, until the owner knew you wanted to let Coco off lead to greet them.
Although earlier I made a comment about how nice this meeting was, I have to say after consideration I completely agree with Julie. Dogs should not be allowed to run up to anyone else out of control, it simply isn't acceptable and depending on the person at the receiving end, it can go well or not. It can end really badly, and having been on the receiving end (Poppy badly bitten after being surrounded by three Ridgebacks and a Weimaraner - despite the owners assuring me they were friendly), I am no longer very accepting of people who do not keep their dogs under control. In my opinion, if you cannot recall your dog, he should be on a lead if there is a chance you are going to meet other dogs or people. Over New Year I was in the UK, and on a walk with my sister and her 1-year-old labradoodle, he ran up ahead to greet a lady with two lurchers. One of the lurchers had a go at young Bailey - my sister was quite upset and annoyed, but actually I thought it was really her fault for letting him run ahead so far...
Well I'm happy to re-iterate it was a really positive experience. The spaniels didn't rush up. Coco couldn't rush up. The spaniels recalled at the appropriate time & Coco recalled at the appropriate time. The man spoke with kind words - this was the main bit for me. I was really pleased to get a go to practice recall from play with a dog (we'd done this in class recently, when there was only 2 dogs there with a good deal of success).
That's fine, of course. It was when you said: That made it sound like the spaniels just came up to Coco while you still had him on lead.
Ah no.I spotted them ahead so I called him into a sit, watching me. I had my hand on his harness to prevent bolting. Then when he knew they were there he got excited.
I think in the US we are a lot more relaxed about dogs meeting dogs. If we are in a well known off leash area, people expect dogs to meet. For the most part folks with unfriendly or aggressive dogs don't go to off lead parks or turn their dogs loose in the National Forest.
http://thebark.com/content/why-are-european-dogs-so-well-behaved "as a dog trainer, I understand how access to many environments and being ignored by strangers creates success for dogs and their people. When strangers frequently offer treats and attention, or allow their dogs to rush into another dog’s space, it produces specific emotional responses, which will arise each time a new person or a strange dog approaches. Sometimes, this emotion is pleasure, but more often, anxiety, over-exuberance or defensive behavior is manifested."
