I went to the woods and river/falls this morning , the river having gone down a lot and less turbulent . Both dogs tend to stay close, especially Millie, but Sam is never far away . It was early , not a soul there but us , I wasnt concentrating , knew that Millie was by my side, turned round and no Sam . I didnt worry immediately but after a couple of moments he still hadnt appeared , I called and whistled , which usually brings him back but it didnt . Feeling a rising panic , I decided to walk back to the car park in case, for some reason he had gone back . He wasnt there , so I began to walk back through the trail when a friend Dave arrived with his three working spaniels , he knows Sam well and said he would take one trail and I would take another , we were both shouting but still no signs . Suddenly Dave shouted out that he had spotted Sam way ahead and heading back towards us , we both called out and the black devil appeared through the undergrowth , in complete panic and overjoyed to see me .I have never been so relieved in all my life, it is so out of character for Sam to do this , its a first and hopefully a last . You know what its like , you`re relieved and cross all rolled into one , I can only think that he disturbed a deer or fox and took flight , back to the drawing board with some serious training after the weekend . Then this afternoon , I decided on a swift walk on leads around the village as the weather is taking a turn for the worst again . All going well until I met with another friend and her collie Shadow .Shadow is a highly strung nervous dog who goes crackers at cars, spinning round and round on his lead, he is a proper handful . We got to the kerb to cross and he started his usual spinning and barking , Sam ignored it but Millie translated this behaviour as aggression and began to lunge at Shadow, barking like a mad thing, not something she usually does at all but she was scared to death . We parted company with my friend , went home and had a cup of tea and calmed down , just been one of those days when he pair of them behaved badly, maybe its the wind : :
Re: Not a good day Oh dear, sorry you had a bad day....all's well that ends well, thankfully. Just a good reminder that the training never really ends, does it.
Re: Not a good day Well thank goodness you're all safe and sound!! Definitely some reminding Sam about staying close! Can't have our best boy disappearing. Hugs and tea all round x
Re: Not a good day [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4365.msg52866#msg52866 date=1391791697] Well thank goodness you're all safe and sound!! Definitely some reminding Sam about staying close! Can't have our best boy disappearing. Hugs and tea all round x [/quote] Oh tell me about it Barbara , he is usually so good at staying close too , oh well ,lesson learned , never assume too much
Re: Not a good day So glad Sam is safe and sound poor Millie. Give them both a big hug from me and Harley. Hope the weather doesn't get too bad
Re: Not a good day Oh, what a stressful walk. Totally understand that growing panic.... Glad that you all got home ok - and thank goodness for cuppas!
Re: Not a good day What a stressful day! I have just learned that feeling..when in the dark I couldn't spot Benson..then to my horror spotted him running towards my neighbours car which was reversing, recall worked thank god, but felt truly sick with dread for a few seconds. Glad all ended well with a cup of tea!
Re: Not a good day [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=4365.msg52906#msg52906 date=1391804323] What a stressful day! I have just learned that feeling..when in the dark I couldn't spot Benson..then to my horror spotted him running towards my neighbours car which was reversing, recall worked thank god, but felt truly sick with dread for a few seconds. Glad all ended well with a cup of tea! [/quote] Oh god! Heart in mouth stuff! Thank goodness for a good recall
Re: Not a good day Sorry you had such a bad day. I expect Sam was as worried as you when he realized he was lost; I bet he sticks close to you for the next few days. Let's hope you have a calmer day tomorrow. Alice
Re: Not a good day [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4365.msg52908#msg52908 date=1391804753] [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=4365.msg52906#msg52906 date=1391804323] What a stressful day! I have just learned that feeling..when in the dark I couldn't spot Benson..then to my horror spotted him running towards my neighbours car which was reversing, recall worked thank god, but felt truly sick with dread for a few seconds. Glad all ended well with a cup of tea! [/quote] Oh god! Heart in mouth stuff! Thank goodness for a good recall [/quote] You are not wrong...all down to Pippas book "Total Recall" which as a puppy novice I have found invaluable...I am sure to have more heart in mouth moments to come so completely empathise with kateincornwall!
Re: Not a good day Do I have deja vu (spelling!!!) as I seem to remember Sam doing this once before or am I imagining it?
Re: Not a good day Yes he did Stacia, but was only gone for a few moments until he found me again . We had an early walk this morning as the sky is a very odd colour and winds beginning to whistle a bit. I took some cooked sausage and worked on recall the whole walk, both behaved beautifully so I shall put yesterday down to " one of those days " and stick at the recall whistle on every walk now . I must admit to becomming complacent with Sam because on the whole he is a worry free obedient dog, just goes to show how wrong you can be : :
Re: Not a good day Glad normal service has resumed Kate,the thing I'm scared of most....losing them out on a walk ....tummy turns over :'( As long as everyone is safe and sound xxx
Re: Not a good day Glad they where good today for you. My friends mum is struggling with a collie puppy and the traffic!