After avoiding dogs as much as possible for the last month - missing out on puppy training - cause he's had giardia - finally got the all clear but has been awful - had a great day running about with my sisters dogs and lots of others along the coastal path yesterday.He is pretty friendly. Went to the park at the back of my house tonight - let him off to poo like usual - out of nowhere an older 'gentleman' with a miniature king charles spaniel on an extendable lead appears out of nowhere - Nibbler circled the dog wanting to play but guy gets all angry shouting and saying for me to get dog away or he was going to kick him - shouldn't have dog of lead if dog is biting - he wasn't he was just wanting to play. Got hold of him quickly and explained he was just a puppy and wanting to play and walked away but now terrified of meeting this owner again. Feel like I have to go back to avoiding other dogs again. Help.
Hi and welcome! First of all, giardia stinks. My first puppy had it and it nearly killed him. I'm glad Nibbler came through. Secondly, people can be jerks. Easier said than done, but try not to let it get you down. Maybe his dog was older or had physical issues so he was afraid for him and reacted more strongly than he should of done. Maybe he was just an anti-social grump-pot. You'll never know, but keep getting out there. There are always jerks that you'll have to deal with, but luckily the majority of people are nice and good experiences with your dog will far outweigh the bad. Having had an older dog who DID get pounced on by puppies occasionally, the only thing you could maybe do differently in the future is try to ask first if your dog can play with the other dog before Nibbler can initiate play. I know, easier said than done, right? But puppies can be too rough in play with older, frail or ill dogs, and it's not always possible to tell by looking at a dog if they fall into one of those categories. But I have a feeling in this case it was just that you happened upon that rarest of creatures - a grumpy king charles spaniel owner.
Thanks - I normally would approach on the lead or shout ahead is it ok but as I say I didn't see him coming. I know it can be scary when a bigger dog and a wee dog are playing - Nibbler just about got slammed into the river by a rather large golden lab girl when he was smaller but that is just what happens - would never shout and swear and threaten to kick someone elses dog. All over in literally seconds but came back in tears. Hopefully the giardia is away for good - think blooming pigeons in garden must have had it as still see bloody bird poop -think he was drinking water out of a puddle under the basketball hoop where they perched - have dumped the hoop now but he is still mouching about looking for their poop .
Hi there, Firstly I can also empathise with the giardia, Monty had it for a few months before it was properly diagnosed, at 11 weeks old he was an extremely poorly pup indeed. He now has an very strong constitution though, which is good news. I am a complete stresshead/ worrywart on walks. I have had to forcibly make myself be calm on occasions when I can feel my heart racing, to the point that when he was about 18 months, I was just doing lead walks only as I was worried who we might meet round the next corner. Yet this wasn't based in any reality, as a pup although Monty had many episodes of running off towards other dogs, they never ended in anything worse than an occasional telling off from other dogs and once a nip to his ear which didn't break his skin. I think this is based in a long standing fear I've had of other dogs and what might happen if I ever had to break up a dog fight. (I haven't) So I've forced myself to do more off lead walks on my own, work on Monty's recall and how to keep him close, and try and enjoy it more. You unfortunately met a grumpy chap today, but hopefully there won't be many more. And I think they are the exception not the rule. You need to keep going for your puppy's socialisation, work on short term training goals, have a plan for getting him back on lead quickly if he does absond and jump all over another dog, and have a prepared line of explanation such as he's a puppy in training and we are working hard on his recall. With a big apologetic smile. But please keep getting out there for off lead walks, and try not to worry about what might happen, 'cos it probably won't and you will have a lovely walk. And before you know it you will have a well behaved grown up dog. Good luck, I do understand how you felt today xx
Those pesky pigeons are a pain. For a few months this summer our garden was covered in their poo. I found myself scouring the garden and even picking it up in my bare hands so my puppy wouldn't get to it first . I think @Emily_BabbelHund says it all about the other dog owner - some people are just horrible - don't let this put you off.
Gosh! Poor you! I seriously think grumpy men should carry a warning over their heads! Whilst it isn't ideal your pup running in to say hello like that, it is really upsetting when the owners overreact, well in our eyes, probably not theirs. I find a profuse apology and a smile helps. It is best to try and avoid these situations though, and a long line or extending lead attached to a harness may help whilst you both build a bit of confidence. Don't worry though, you are not the only one to have been shouted at though!
Thanks for all your comments - went for a lovely long walk tonight and didn't meet a soul - off lead for most of it - he comes back no bother at all. Making very sure that no one is about in the wee park where this happened before letting him off. Still a bit nervous about other dogs - especially wee ones but need to work more on training now he is all better.
