OK, not quite as dramatic as it sounds, but I'm taking this as a great result. We let Coco off the lead on a little lane/path that leads down to the station. He spotted a big black cat in the field next to the path and rushed the fence. The cat ran into the hedge through to the next field, so Coco legged it to the gate, rushing back & forth looking for the cat. OH called him back - he came ! He came away from the gate and back to OH! A bit later there was a pheasant flapping in the field opposite the platform, just the other side of the fence. Coco bounded over the line and ran along the fence after the flappy-bird. OH again, called him back - and again, Coco came running back. So whilst the actual quarry had disappeared in both cases, Coco still recalled from his chase. I know it would have been different if they hadn't been on the other side of a fence.
Fantastic! My dog suddenly ran into a garden and chased a small West Highland White Terrier who had been barking at him through the gate for months, the gate was open and I couldn't stop him, highly embarrassing. He will also chase a cat but I can stop him on Squirrels, in fact if he sees a Squirrel he runs back to me for a tennis ball. So well done Coco and you.
Oh yes! Congratulations to you and lovely Coco! Joy is very determined to chase cats. This I now realise is partly, if not wholly due to me shooing them away when I see them stalking the birds on our bird table. Joy is fascinated by birds and will sit on my lap to watch them. She seems to feel it's her duty to see the cats off!
I find calling and then just walking on works for me with my 9 month old lab. Probably not ideal but if I stand still I can call and call and if I haven’t caught her in time it’s futile. I have bought Total Recall but haven’t read it yet. if I see another dog on the lead or a smaller dog I do put her on the lead as I know she is OTT . This afternoon I didn’t see a woman with two dogs on a lead as she was in a blind spot behind some trees. I called and walked on and Nellie came within two or three minutes but OMG was the woman aggressive. She was shouting and being really rude.By this time I had Nellie on the lead.She was still ranting at me ,I told her ....I have said sorry a few times what else do you want me to do ? Dance for you? I am feeling a little upset.I hate confrontations but She pushed and pushed and it wasn’t pleasant.She said she was going to call the police I just said Good luck with that then ....
Silly woman. You said sorry, there was no need for to be so nasty, what on earth was she hoping to achieve? Keep up the good work, and DO have a read of Total Recall - you won't look back.
I have socialised Nellie with other dogs from the start and she is a lab pup so will be OTT. Dogs don’t come fully trained as children don’t. I do a little training every day and obviously they learn through day to day living. I have avoided formal training as I have been there,done that with previous dogs.Also being a pensioner I am on a budget. Now though I am doubting myself and thinking maybe I should sign up.
I was a bit like you, having had not so good experiences with classes in the past I thought I would go it alone with Cass, now 2. But we got to 7 months and I realized I needed to have help ! I started with a =R class -- I loved the method but didn't like the trainer, then a local dog club of good repute but just didn't suit before finding a trainer that I feel comfortable with and attend fortnightly classes an hours drive away. We started that 6 months ago and have come along way. I also did 1.2.1 and group gundog stuff, neither trainer being +R but it's true to say I've learnt something useful from them all. But for me mutual respect and rapport with the trainer is key
Sorry this happened to you, it is horrible isn’t it, it makes you feel very uncomfortable I’m sure and possibly a bit anxious.
Getting aggressive and threatening to call the police was over the top, but I'd have been beyond pi**ed if someone had let their dog pester my dog for a couple of minutes without even trying to come back and get their dog. In fact, now that I think about it I have had that happen and I got very annoyed. Next time just immediately get your dog and don't wait for her to come back on her own.
