This evening I took Harvey for his regular walk. When I say regular I mean this is a walk that we have probably done hundreds of times - down to the end of our road, cross a main road, down a short country lane, and then walk the perimeter of a large field. Harvey is allowed to walk off-lead around the field. At the far end of the field, at the furthest distance from the field entrance, is a small wooded area. As we approached, Harvey about 10 yards ahead, a lad on a bike rode out and was heading straight for Harvey. Harvey took off at high speed and flew straight by me! Our normally flawless recall had no impact. The lad apologised and dismounted and proceeded to push his bike. Harvey looked back briefly and took off again. If this had been a happy distraction I would have waited but in this instance I took off after him. Dogs are damn quick!!! I got to the end of the lane and still couldn't see him. Time to do an ET and phone home. Me: Pant. Pant. Harvey. Pant. Has. Pant. Run. Pant. Off. OH: He's here. Me: Pant. What? Pant. OH: There was a knock at the door. When I answered it was Harvey! Me: Pant. Sigh. Pant. OH: Have you been running? After arriving back home we took Harvey out again as I didn't want him to finish with a bad experience. We met the lad on the bike who had joined up with his mom and dad and their dog (a giant black lab) to look for the dog that he had accidentally spooked - bless him Harvey wasn't phased by the bike, the lad, the parents, or the big lab. We went back to the field and did lots of faultless recalls. So, all turned out well in the end. I just feel so guilty that I hadn't somehow better prepared Harvey for this encounter. I was sure that we had 'done' bikes and cyclists in our socialisation work - so I checked my dog diary (sad I know) and we have. Why is Harv now scared of things that previously he wasn't? He even wigged out at a plastic bag blowing in the wind the other day. Where has it all gone wrong all of a sudden?
Re: Feeling guilty Sorry you had this scary experience! It's hard to say what might have set Harvey off, maybe it was just the suddenness of it that got to him? I wouldn't worry too much, keep an eye on him and if there continues to be out of the norm reactions to things you could always take him to the vet to see if there is something physical going on.
Re: Feeling guilty Oh no, poor Harvey - and you, bet you got a fright when he took off. I think any dog can get "spooked". I think it's an instinctive reaction - could be a lion about to jump out etc. You don't just stand there to find out whether it's a bike or a lion. Or whether a big flappy thing in the sky is tarp on scaffolding or a pterodactyl... Although, it is a bit odd that Harvey ran all the way home. I would absolutely expect Charlie to jump at unexpected things, but as soon as he saw what it was, approach happily. Still, I'm not so sure it is all that alarming, perhaps Harvey was confused after being spooked. He still is very young. And he wasn't scared of the boy or the bike when he saw him in normal circumstances.... Hmmm...I'd say unless Harvey starts being scared of things in more "normal" circumstances, I wouldn't worry. Harvey seemed a typical, confident, very well socialised, wiggle-bum young lab to me when I met him. Bless the boy on the bike, going back out to look for the dog. That seems like a nice kid.
Re: Feeling guilty What a lovely boy Don't feel bad, we can't proof against everything under the sun Hey, I'm almost 43 and there are still some things that give me a fright
Re: Feeling guilty Glad Harvey is fine UB. I think Lilly is like this too......maybe the unexpected on his USUAL walk was the issue. If it was on a new walk he might have been fine. But this was HIS walk on HIS territory. Just a thought. No idea on how he reacted, just the why. x
Re: Feeling guilty Really glad that Harvey and you are OK UB, great that you went straight back out to end on a positive experience for Harvey and you had a good run too!!! What a lovely boy to help x
Re: Feeling guilty Glad Harvey arrived home safely - must have been very scary for you. I hope Harvey's reaction is a one-off. And what a lovely boy.
Re: Feeling guilty I'm sorry ,I've experienced this,and I know how your tummy just turns to water but I did have to have a chuckle at......... OH: There was a knock at the door. When I answered it was Harvey!
Re: Feeling guilty I think any dog can have an irrational fear and he may be entering another fear period. Lots more socialisation ;D
Re: Feeling guilty Glad you both got home safely how nice of that young lad and his family, not something you hear of very often
Re: Feeling guilty Oh my goodness , what a fright , so pleased for a happy ending, and bless the biker boy
Re: Feeling guilty [quote author=UncleBob link=topic=7704.msg107651#msg107651 date=1410043637] Me: Pant. Pant. Harvey. Pant. Has. Pant. Run. Pant. Off. OH: He's here. Me: Pant. What? Pant. OH: There was a knock at the door. When I answered it was Harvey! Me: Pant. Sigh. Pant. OH: Have you been running? [/quote] i'm so happy this story had a happy ending - bravo to harvey for going back home, at least! - but i have to admit (once i knew the ending was happy), this phone exchange had me rolling.... lol.
Re: Feeling guilty That must have been really frightening, but well done Harvey for knowing the way home and knocking on door. What a lovely lad to go and get his parents to help look.
