I've had a few minor problems with my girl, Lady recently that I thought was worth sharing. She's suddenly become frightened of sticks and having checked her aversion several times and in different ways, it's clear that someone has hit her with a stick. Thinking back I can recall an occasion when this might have happened. Lady was ahead of me on a footpath along a field margin. We were making our way along it flanked by very tall grass on either side. A couple were coming towards us and the man had a walking pole - you perhaps know the type used for hill walking with a point and a cup on the end, adjustable length and with a wrist strap at the handle end. Lady ran up a few paces to greet them and looked up to say hello. The man did something with his stick that I couldn't see because of the overgrown nature of the path. I now think he jabbed my girl with the end of the stick using it like a spear. It's the only occasion I can connect with her stick shyness. She's also gone wary of strangers and is reluctant to go near them (which is actually a good thing). I'm in the midst of de-sensitising her to sticks by walking with her while carrying a stick, and just now in the garden using treats to get her to approach me while I'm sitting on the grass with a stick across my legs. It's a bit of a work in progress I'm afraid and clearly going to take a while. Learning points for me? - Don't let my dog approach anyone unless under very close supervision (my fault for being too relaxed about the whole business) - Consider all strangers without dogs, especially those with sticks to be a threat in future (very sad). I'm really cross about what I think this man has done, and with myself mainly for allowing my girl to get in a situation like that.
Excellent timely reminder David, poor Lady though, its such a rotten shame when they become fearful . Please don't be too hard on yourself though , we all make mistakes , we are human . I think the two learning points are ones I must take more notice of too .
You're so right. I try to keep mine away from strangers - and even people we know until I release them to say hi - and they're getting much, much better at ignoring people, but there is still plenty of proofing to do. I'm sorry you both experienced this. There are some horrible people out there, sadly
Sorry to hear what happen to Lady. There are some not very nice people about. Like Kate said don't be to hard on yourself. Give Lady a big cuddle form me.
Poor Lady and poor you that's just not on I know not everyone likes dogs, unbelievable I know, but that's totally out of order. How would he like a jab with a stick. I agree, please don't be hard on yourself, with the best will in the world we can't train and proof every eventuality. I really hope you can desensitise Lady successfully. Maybe clicker training this would help, it's helped me no end with Charlie. I hope you are both ok David. xx
Poor Lady and what a horrible excuse for a human being she met on the footpath. I'm sure with your love and care she will overcome her fearfulness of sticks. Juno sends licks to Lady
David oh you poor thing and poor lady. I'm sure it will all come good in the end. Must admit I've had my fair share of annoying people these last few weeks I could right a book. Mabel sends Lady massive Labrador licks.
So sorry hope she and you are ok. Unfortunately you made the mistake of thinking everyone is like you kind and caring, sadly they are not as my dog behaviourist always says there are some "orrible nastybad monkies out there". So sorry
Ruins things for a while doesn't it? I can imagine how you are feeling. It's such a shame. I am now on constant alert with any male dogs near us on a walk after our horrible encounter with a dog AND it's owner. Oh why can't we all go and live on an island together, no bad people allowed!
my friends and me we have "Dog Island" its the perfect dog haven and we can go with them. obviously its all in our heads and we've discussed the rules for years. They are very strict rules but we've not managed to do it in reality yet. I've walked my dogs round here for years and have had loads of interesting things happen to me like men flashing willies eeeeeeegK! threated had money and stones at me and the dogs insulted told I'm ugly, mugged dogs getting kicked etc. You see everything and experience stuff you would not believe like yobs asking you if you F**k you dog? (amazing how vile some people can be) and rescue small children from swollen rivers given first aid found lost dogs and children. Don't let it put you off the good out weighs the bad you will see incredable stuff like badgers deer birds of prey just beautiful mornings mist rising, fresh snow first snow drops. You'll meet some amazing people and have loads of fun with you dogs. You will make life long friends and end up in places you never expected to be. don't let this experience put you off or upset you not all male dogs are bad you were very unfortuate to meet and idiot and you did everything you could to look after your pup. You will find that the dog and the women have a certain reputation around the area. Despite all the bad stuff and deterioating health I intend to walk my dogs til I drop, I can honestly say its the most enjoyable thing iv'e ever done. Don't let the idiots spoil it for you and book your ticket to "dog island" sorry but you sound so upset wish i could help you, it was a real shock for me at first when I realised that not everyone is caperable of being kind.
I am so sorry....there really is truth in the old cliche...don't trust people who don't have a dog....Casper has a habit of bolting at most people who are dogless, obviously I don't let. Maybe though I should let him...probably a better judge of character than me. Poor Lady, I really hope she can overcome her feelings of apprehension...and oh...do you want to borrow Casper for a couple of weeks?
Good idea! Thanks all for the nice words. It hasn't put me off - just made me feel a bit sad for not keeping en eye on things better. I posted mainly to highlight how easy it is to get into a situation that could have ended much worse.
don't blame yourself in our world you don't hurt animals but there are some bad monkeys out there who do
