Our 20 month old is good with being off - the - lead in the park with me. But recently, with the dog walker, on the last 2 occasions, she has run away! We don’t use a walker regularly (just as and when needed), and our dog seems happy to be dropped-off to the walker. My question is :- Anyone else experienced this? I find it puzzling. I am wondering if it’s the other dogs versus bring one-on-one? Or is it cheekiness?
Hi @Elsie I dont understand your question. But I think you are asking why does your dog not follow the known cues when given by the walker. Two potential explanations. 1. Your cue is more than the word. Your body language is part of the cue. But your walker cannot imitate that. 2. The dog does not view the walker as her leader, and is confused. I tried once to give a cue to a extremely well- trained GSD during an obedience class. She just ignored me. I think she was confused that another handler was giving her a cue. I would advise the walker to keep her on a long line until the two bond. It will happen. I can give cues to a friend's Lab and she will follow now that I have bonded with her.
I don’t think I would ever trust a dog walker to let my dog off the lead. Too many distractions and competing priorities. I think I would resign myself to lead walking knowing it’s better than being left home alone. Just my view .
Sort of what Michael said. Lots of dogs don't listen to people who aren't family or close friends. In fact I would prefer that they don't, though my Labs will come to most anyone that calls them.
I am not a fan of dog walkers (when it involves multiple dogs being off-leash), and can't recommend using one at all. There are a million bazillion things which can go wrong and frankly I think the world has gotten crazy whereby loads of people who don't have the time (really) to have a dog, are getting them and shipping them out to dog walkers to run riot in packs with other dogs, poop everywhere, get into scraps, and run off. I've heard of dogs getting lost, dogs falling off cliffs, dogs getting killed by other dogs in the dog walker's van and waaayyy more.... I would instead recommend seeing if someone can walk the dog on leash around the neighbourhood. If it's only infrequently you need this, that should work out fine.
