I had to chuckle to myself earlier, because I remembered a thread a long time ago when Julie mentioned she had proofed Charlie's lead walk against needing a poo. Well, I came across this this evening. We were about five minutes into our walk, walking through the village to the far end, where I can let them off the lead. The last building we pass is a very posh hotel - think valets, doormen in long coats and white gloves etc. As we got there, Willow started to pull and sniff. Eeek. I couldn't let her pull, I couldn't let her poo right in front of the door of this hotel, especially since she's still a little soft and remarkably whiffy! I was just praying to myself, please, Willow, just walk to heel for another 50 metres! I had to keep stopping and waiting for her to come back to heel. She was getting very frustrated and I was feeling bad because I knew she really needed to go, but ARGH! In the end, we made it about 45 of the 50 metres, I spotted a big pile of snow in the road and led her to that to go on, for easy scooping. Proofing against needing a poo. Who knew?
Haha! Glad it worked out ok. Charlie is still not entirely convinced that he is not allowed to pull on his lead when he needs a poo! And he says if a dog's gotta go, he's gotta go.....
Welcome to my world! Our guide dog pups need a spending pen at home and a routine where that's the only place they spend. Some pups are easy to get into a routine, Gypsy and Twiglet have been. But Twiglet's brother, Rossi, is nowhere near. Dogs who spend on walks don't make it to school. Twiglet using her pen - TMI lol! .
Lilly gets very distressed if she has to "spend" anywhere other than grass. I learned this one day I was walking along a paved riverside walk, not a blade of grass in sight. She was pulling like a tank and I didn't twig why at all. Eventually she just had to go, and after that, she walked by me fine. I guess there is so much we do that subtly trains or dogs without it being obvious and without us being aware. For good and bad!
