Generally, my two are absolutely lovely on walks. Which makes it so hard and unexpected when it all goes wrong. I thought I'd take them somewhere different for a change of scenery. Still within walking distance of home, so I popped them both on their leads, and off we went. Willow started pulling from the outset. So we had a lot of starting and stopping, about turns etc. They also both had their noses glued to the floor, which obviously means they're completely distracted. So I was doing loads of attention work and just not feeling I was getting anywhere. What I should have done is realise they weren't going to succeed today, for whatever reason, taken them back home and to somewhere easier I could go without the leads. But I persisted. Still on the paths we walk frequently, a lady walked past. Nothing out of the ordinary, but they flipped out, lunging towards her and barking. It was in excitement, but she looked terrified, which I'm not surprised about. I apologised profusely, assured her they were friendly and just wanted to say hi, and kept going. Then they spotted a cat in a chicken shed we walk by. They see cats regularly. They're not fussed by them generally. This one, they behaved as if they wanted to kill it, lunging at it, barking and snarling. WTF, I've never seen them act like that before! They should be glad that there was a mesh door between them and it, because it launched itself towards them to join the fight. So, that was a fun start. I painfully continued on my way, trying to encourage Willow to walk nicely at heel. We were very stop/start. There was also quite a few strange people around, acting in peculiar manners - bus drivers cleaning their windshields, shop owners moving goods around outside, tourists pulling their luggage, a disabled man with crutches and a lopsided gait. All things that could potentially have set them off with the mood they were in, but I used them all as "look at that!" opportunities and luckily there were no more repeats of the previous behaviour. Willow just started walking nicely as we got to the bit I could let her off lead. So I kept her on for a couple of hundred metres and let Shadow off. She was good as gold then, and trotted beautifully at my side. Small mercies for my sanity. What followed was then lovely; a grassy path in the sunshine with gorgeous views, the sound of a gushing river at the bottom of the valley, horses and foals trotting around in fields next to us, with the pups only throwing them a vaguely disinterested glance once in a while. Until we got to where we cross the main river. The main rivers are remarkably full at this time of year, with all the meltwater from the snow above and the seasonal rain we always get. They are fast-flowing and make a lot of noise. The pups don't go near these; they stick to paddling in the little streams that feed the valley rivers. Wherever there is waster suitable for swimming, Willow is always the first in and the bravest. They're still new to it, though, and unless they can see the bottom, it will take them ages to build up the confidence to go in. Shadow generally just paws at the water for a while, unless he can wade out. Well, that's what they are normally like. But not today, noooooo. Shadow did a big leap from about five feet up, into the fastest-flowing, deepest bit of the river! There was no way for me to get down, and I was worried if I tried, Willow would follow me in. He couldn't swim against the flow to get to a bit where he could climb out. The way the water was flowing, there was a big pipe through the ground, about ten feet long, where it went really fast and washed into a slightly lower bit, where the water was churning so hard, I thought he probably wouldn't be able to escape it. I was calling and calling and calling to him, running up and down the bank to try to find a place he could get out. But nothing. I really thought I was going to lose him. But, miraculously, he managed to heave himself up a vertical stone wall and to the path. I was shaking so hard, I thought my heart was going to explode. He - well, he didn't seem bothered in the slightest and immediately trotted off after a butterfly. I swear my life was shortened by at least ten years. After that excitement, we turned for home. A switch flicked and they were back to their beautiful selves. They checked in frequently, did lots of little behaviours for me, and walked beautifully to heel once their leads were on. Dogs, I tell ye. Who would have 'em?
At almost four years old , I still find that Sam shows heightened senses when we go somewhere new Fiona , he isn't as bad as he used to be but its there especially on lead . My Goodness, Shadow tested your blood pressure today , thank goodness it all ended happily , luckily Sam is ultra cautious but Millie is a " Fools rush in " type of dogs too
Shadow! Oh my, what a shock! Thank goodness he's ok! Charlie was a nightmare on lead in new places for yonks, absolutely yonks.
The annoying thing was, the earlier behaviour (barking at the lady and the cat) was somewhere I walk with them individually about three times a week. They're not generally together when I walk that bit, though, so maybe that was what was different this time.
Seriously Fiona ,I've just lost 10 years reading this......it goes in the same category of Nicolae (Rachael's previous lab) running back to the highway to lick a 'scotch finger' shortbread biscuit . there are some stories I live through with you and never forget! ....thank goodness you got him x
I've had these walks but I really feel for you regarding Shadow in the water. I've been there once with Cassie and I never ever want to be in that situation again. It really is a heart in the mouth moment. I never take both dogs together on my own any where near water. Just walk them tomorrow in a familiar place and you'll see it was just a blip.
Heart stopping. Terrifying. I had a similar thing years ago with my old Billy who got swooshed through a big drainpipe under a road.. All ended well, but I live in terror of dogs near fast-flowing water.
How dreadful - so glad all was ok. I bet you used up a year's supply of adrenalin in that episode. You poor thing. Heart attack material. Ah yes, Angela, the Scotch Finger incident. I can laugh about it now.
Seriously, I had to proof Charlie's lead walking against needing a poo. "WHAT? I CAN'T PULL ON MY LEAD EVEN WHEN I NEED A POO????!!!!! THAT'S SO UNREASONABLE!" Another dog would do it for sure....
They are teenagers, Fiona. Their mission in life is test you in any and every way they can. We all suffer those heart stopping moments with our dogs. Intellectually ( and afterwards) we know it's going to be OK, but for those few seconds, that seem like hours, we panic.
How terrible - a real panic moment, though it must have seemed like ages. I'm so glad Shadow managed to get himself out. We still battle the 'different walk' syndrome and also the 'exciting walk' one, whenever other family members join us. I don't think my sons believe that either of mine do slack lead walking, as when they occasionally join me for any on-lead walking both dogs go into sledge-pulling mode! Work in progress ...
Haha, Willow is similar when she needs a wee! She'll start pulling for what I consider to be no reason whatsoever and it's only when she squats that I go "ooooooooh, that was why, then!". Of course, she still shouldn't be pulling, even if she wants a wee, but suddenly the reason why becomes clear
And we are that dog,.......(hangs head in shame) ....I can't help it,he is so regular I know exactly when he wants to go and recognize the 'poo pull' I think he must be so uncomfortable to go I let him just get there quick.Of course then he gets to the spot and sniffs around for 5 minutes and spins around several times ,squats,stops,sniffs around a bit more ,does a few more spins and finally proceeds ......hmmmm so not that desperate hey Dex? X
HaHa - I have to admit I do give in a bit when Charlie does his "poo walk". OH gives in a lot, and will trot after Charlie, zig zagging around until the perfect poo place is located.
Oh my word - terrifying for you (but clearly not for him!) so glad that all was well in the end, phew!
I'm trying to recall, but I'm pretty sure neither of mine has ever had a poo when on lead! And here we are, back talking about poo again.... Shadow is showing no ill effects today. My heart rate is back to normal. I'm going to take him to a more suitable bit of river later on and see how he reacts. Hopefully with a little more caution!
