Re: Really Upsetting Walk.. Thank you both, everyone here is so supportive, this forum really is a god send! We have had some wonderful walks since then, particularly a beautiful but very cold walk in Wales. We met 9 or 10 other dogs, various sizes, and not a problem with any of them. The owners were great, and even the walkers, stopped to say hello to Casper who loved the attention! Casper is definitely reacting to some other dogs on a lead. Not small dogs, just medium sized to big dogs. We have asked for help from Widgets farm, and will work through this. It is not an aggressive bark..but does look more like he is just too excited and over his threshold. We have spent a lot of time observing his interactions, compared with Benson. He does "barrel" in when off lead...although stops sharply, then a normal greet usually develops. If I was to hazard a guess at his early life, I would say he hasn't been socialised that well, maybe because the nature of his environment didn't lend itself. I don't know. We are working at treating every "check in" that he does without cueing. Interestingly watching him on our walk, we noticed that he rarely checked in compared to Benson. We are also working on the hand touch and using this to get a "turn around" hoping that we can use this to distract him when meeting other dogs on lead, and using mega high value treats.
Re: Really Upsetting Walk.. Sounds good Casper is not at all unusual - getting very excited when everyone is on lead, and rushing in when he does get to say hello. I'm sure that Widgets can help you with it
Just to follow up, had a bizarre walk tonight, and bumped into these dogs and owners again! This time was most odd. I was still in the car when I spotted them...and they were headed towards the entrance. So, presuming they were coming towards their car I stayed put, not wanting to get Casper out as they were (I thought) about to head towards their car. They don't return but change direction, so I think OK, they are waiting for me so I get out with both dogs,being very well behaved. Benson is very good these days, so he is off lead waiting patiently in a sit. Casper is quiet and calm, however I make the decision to keep him on lead. Well, start on the walk, expecting the other dog walker to head towards their car, but no, they are following me! All around the common..so I had to keep Casper on lead as his previous experience was so bad. I eventually make a quick turn and head sharply up a path, but I felt very, very uncomfortable. Why are people so darned odd? Surely the best option was to keep a good distance? Casper was a star, didn't bark or lunge once..despite the fact I was feeling really distracted. Benson was walking beautifully by my side off lead, but he mostly does now, good boy Benson has matured into a quietly confident dog, a real pleasure, I do wonder if this maturity is helping Casper become less vigilant, especially as Bensons plums are growing back...another thread perhaps?
There's no reasoning behind some peoples behaviour. The boys behaved beautifully, you should be really proud of them
The boys were fantastic, especially Benson, this makes it so much easier when out with the both dogs, I don't need to worry about Benson, mostly he stays close, and if I see a potential trigger I use the "walk" cue with him and he falls into walking a nice heel close to Casper. I don't meet many odd dog walkers, only these and another dog walker who breed setters and thinks it's OK to let them off lead in season, so not too bad really The ones last night though really give me the creeps..
Well there is nothing funnier than folk. Your boys were fantastic, so that should make you feel good. Be proud of yourself and your boys
Just reading this Kate....nearly a year on from your original post ,bit spooky to see them but gives you a really good measure of your dogs progress. I'm in awe,what I would give to have a dog that will stay at heel or in a sit reliably when there are strange dogs around......I'll never have that with Dexter,I've just not been able to get the practice opportunites in with him and it shows !
