We have walked Charlie through the water meadows many times and there are two horses there, one Brown and a Grey. When David took them the other day to play in the river Charlie was a little bit too interested in the Grey and started barking at it and running around and the horse was just about to kick. David very quickly called him off which he did immediately and took him out of the paddock. Any ideas on what could be the issue and how to deal with it please as we go through there a lot? Charlie has never reacted like this before, infact he is quite cautious of horses. Thank you as always. Helen x
Re: Horse and Charlie = Issue! I think it is great that Charlie came away from the horse when called! It is difficult to practice recall away from horses without putting either party at risk, so the best policy is usually to keep the dog at heel, and if necessary on lead, through that particular field. Pippa
Re: Horse and Charlie = Issue! Thanks Pippa, he is very good at recalling from people and dogs too! Will keep him on his lead as at heel is an alien concept to Charlie!, it's a shame as that's where he can access the river. Helen
Re: Horse and Charlie = Issue! Hi Helen See, all that recall training is paying off It's just a case of Charlie of getting used to horses, to him they're large frightening beasts - sorry, one more experience for him to learn. Pippa's right, they're dangerous to you and him and him to them if he startles them so stick to the lead until he's ok. My girls have to learn sheep pretty fast and horses not soon after but the look on Hebe's face when she met a goat was a picture, she really didn't know what it was - not a sheep, wrong smell; same size as a Wolfie but wrong shape, she really didn't know whether to run away or play with it! Poor dog, she stood stock still and gazed in total confusion!
Re: Horse and Charlie = Issue! Hi Kerryn, yes I do believe the recall training is definately paying off at long last!! It's strange because in his foster home Fran had a few horses, goats etc. and he never had a problem and we encounter them most days so not sure what has made him change his mind about them. The only thing I can think of is the first day he went into the river they were at the far end of the field and the next day they were near the river and perhaps he was worried by their presence. He is a very inconsistent dog, one day is never the same as the next, never a dull moment!! Helen
