I love it! I am definitely using that next time! I honestly can't remember how many times I've had to run after Ella yelling "I'm so sorry!"
We are all different, we want different levels of what we call good behaviour from our dogs. Good training means different things to every owner too and ALL dogs behave badly even if the owners don't want to admit it Dogs have off days, so do owners so I wonder if maybe cutting everyone a bit of slack might make for nicer encounters. In my opinion, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as owners which maybe we shouldn't all of the time and just enjoy our dogs for their crazy, naughty moments which is part of their character and is not a hanging offence, yet! I sometimes wish we still lived in the days where everyone just enjoyed walking their dogs, enjoying their time with each other like my Dad did with his Labrador. What did owners do before "this is how you should train your dog to be X Y Z"? xx
I dunno, I see so many people who walk their dogs without interacting with them, just plodding round, head down, ignoring them. Or with ear buds in; that makes me cringe. Those people don't seem to be enjoying their time together one little bit, because they're not really "together", other than the fact they may (or may not, depending on the dog) be inhabiting the same general area. Nope, I'd far rather be training (aka "playing") with my dogs and actually interacting with them. It's not so much training them to be X, Y or Z, but far more about giving them the attention and stimulation that they deserve.
Helen, I agree with you! I like the people and dogs I meet on walks -we're all just relaxing with our pet dogs. Even if I'm training it doesn't bother me if we're interrupted - after all in a competition a dog has to learn to ignore a lot of noise and activity. I was beginning to think I lived in the only nice bit of the country.
@snowbunny Fiona, I totally agree about the phones, ear plugs etc. makes me pretty annoyed and sad that their dogs are ignored and I do see this a lot . I mean not so intensive, not that I am an intensive walker as I don't like that, I like my walk to be a walk with Hattie, I throw a ball, do stop whistles, recall, hand touches, heel, she offers lots of good behaviours without any cues such as heel, we bits and bobs along the way, but in the main I like to walk and relax not always feeling I have to put 100% attention on her but then she doesn't need it as she is always watching me xx
Sounds like you have a great balance, and do a lot, lot more than most other people to make your walk about you AND your dog
Walking my dogs is a precious peaceful time for me we play games I sing to them they play with their friends occasionally and we move together. we walk for miles see wonderful things find peace. We make new friends dogs and humans. I love walking with a dog at my side they take me to a different place. i train but mostly we move together it feels good they like it i like . We all have dogs for different reasons and we just love them. My dogs are not perfect they frustrate me and make me laugh they are a joy. I don't worry what others do much anymore my dogs are happy they have good lives and that's all that matters. When Rory does his happy pleased goofy face it makes me happy and when gallops back to me my heart swells.
Absolutely, this is exactly how I feel and achieve. You put it so much better than I did. Thank you xx
I often worry when I see people with ear plugs in listening to music. It's so dangerous you can't be paying attention to what's going on around. Round here you need your wits and senses about you you can get mugged or worse. They need a self defense class.
I also think dogs need time to just be dogs, to walk and sniff and explore bushes, not to interact all the time. Maybe I am lucky where I walk, we don't often see other dogs and if we do they do not come to see my dogs. My older Lab just loves to snuffle for mice and my young one likes to retrieve or walk with his mate.
Not sure if you have ever had a spaniel, Stacia? For many spaniels that is not a good option. Their idea of exploring bushes is to give them a good shake a 100 mph to see what flies out at the other end. In that sort of situation you can kiss good bye any untrained or disengaged spaniel.
@Rosie, I love this post because it shows we are only human and our dogs behave in ways we can't always control and we can only do our best. Today a little dog wouldn't leave Plum alone. I was about to leave the park and had her on the lead. I waited until the owner finally came to get her pooch. It was no biggie, it didn't put me out any, I may be in the same situation sometime and it'd be nice to not get 'told off' with eyes or words by an owner! But if I do I'll take it on the chin. As you say, the forum is hugely helpful in letting us know the ways, whys and wherefores of Labrador owning. I'd love to meet a bouncy Pongo. If he interrupted my training I'd just start again when he bounced off !
On my morning walk on a mountain trail behind the houses, I pass mostly dog walkers. They're not really dog walkers in the professional sense - they are gardeners, security guards, or cleaners who are walking the dogs as part of their job. They don't do training, and sometimes they don't even walk - they get onto the mountain and sit and let the dogs mosey around. I far prefer bumping into them than dogs and their owners. They are relaxed, we say a nice hallo, and they don't fuss when their dogs race up to mine or mine to them, or when some dogs posture or bark. It's all relaxed and the dogs move on. Or stick around and lick lips or race around together. Snowie looks forward to this walk to sniff and mark his usual spots, to meet his friends, to run up and down the slope, while I follow the path at a brisk walk, either in my own thoughts or with music playing in my pocket (phone) or with a podcast via my earbuds. Snowie usually waits for me if I lag behind; then I open my arms wide and he comes running back for a tickle and for me to tell him how wonderful he is. If he's out of sight for too long, I whistle and he eventually ambles into view. We used to do training when he was younger but I've got tired of that and need my walks for myself, too. We play and "train" at home. And I talk to Snowie when we're walking on leash. But our morning off leash walk is generally our silent do-your-own-thing walk where we meet other dogs in a very relaxed environment.
@Rosie well I had the most embarrassing time with Benson. On our holiday recently, a 2 centre break in Oban and Cumbria. We stopped at Keswick, and visited a lovely walk there. Unfortunately when we went it was rather busy. I had Bramble and Benson and @Bensons-dad had Casper on an extending lead. Well Bramble was perfect, walking politely beside me, ignoring everyone and their dogs...but Benson...oh my word! He kangeroo'ed around everywhere then played zoomies right through a family picnic. The woman's expression is burned into my memory...her mouth a perfect "0" like the "The Scream" painted by Edvard Munch. Nothing came out of her mouth she was so shocked. I went into complete denial. A lady walked past us...glanced at Bramble, looked at Benson cavorting in the distance, and said something like "chocolate labs eh" I just nodded...tutted sadly and walked on...
This is different, you make an effort! I think the dog I met was of a lead because he as too hard work on one and therefore it was easier to let him do as he pleased and make no effort to recall him. I had to catch him for her as she couldn't. Imagine if he was near a road and that happened
