David and I took Hattie & Charlie out for a wonderful two hour walk through the woods, fields and tracks. On the way home we were heading down a track with Hattie & Charlie on lead, on the lefthand side there is a field, out of the field came four charging Springer Spaniels also a Jack Russell, barking, blocking our way and being very reactive towards our dogs. The owner had no control over them, they ignored her many calls. Her dogs surrounded Hattie and but I kept walking treating Hattie who as always is a cool as a cucumber David was behind with Charlie who was becoming anxious and whining but David stopped so the dogs headed to surround him and Charlie. I was proud of Charlie because this was a stressful situation for him but he kept his cool only barking a couple of times at these unruly dogs, no lunging and he took treats so he wasn't over threshold. The owner eventually caught up gathering her misbehaved dogs and actually apologised. So would you have kept walking throught as I did or stop as David did? xx
Well, as far as I can see, you both did the right thing. You say Hattie is 'cool as a cucumber' so you could walk on as you did with no worries. Charlie on the other hand finds that a stressful situation but David stopped and worrying though it was, Charlie coped. Seems like a difficult situation that both dogs handled in a way to be proud of. So, here's me waffling away while in all honesty I'd probably have done completely the wrong thing with my 2 Anyway, well done Hattie and Charlie, treats deserved big time.
Sounds like you both did just the right thing. Kudos to all of you! I think it's very much down to the individual situation and dogs as to whether to keep calmly walking or to stop. I find this very hard to judge but am getting better with all my recent dog walking. I still have a long way to go, though. It seems to make quite a difference what kind of dog is doing the charging as well. Some seem to calm down if you stop (ones that want to chase) and others get more nervous and turn dangerous if you stop (ones who are fearful or 'protecting' their territory).
I agree that you both done the right thing. You both clearly know your dogs and how they are and what they can manage with. I’m glad it turned out alright and didn’t get nasty as it sometimes can x
Yes, I would have done the same. Finn is very reactive when he is on lead. He would have barked back. We often have a same situation. I keep walking, Finn gets his treat after we passed, or I hold a treat in front of his nose, he trying to get hold of this and is occupied trying to get it. I try to get him out of the situation before it escalates...
Many years ago I was walking the dog I had then and we were suddenly surrounded by the baying hounds of the hunt. My dog was terrified, as was I. The hunters were completely useless until I flung myself over the dog in an effort to protect her. Only then did one of them call the hounds away. My dog was so stressed she had upset gut for days afterwards and never once did anyone apologise.
My trainer who is an ex police dog trainer (and believes in giving dogs confidence and not teaching by chastisement, so not your usual PDT) says you should walk on, if you stop, you are telling the dog there is a problem.
I tend to keep walking in the hope that the other dogs will give up and go away. However, this does put Ella in a position where she's being followed and tends to keep swinging her head around to have a look and I don't think that's great. I don't like to stop though as it feels like we're stopping to say hello.
This is what I thought Stacia which is why I keep walking. Yes exactly. I was walking Charlie when again we were surrounded by three dogs, I kept walking and he spent the whole time looking behind him as he was obviously unsure. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. xx
