don't look back and disappear That was Eric's motto today! He has ran before but never out of sight. Today was the first time. And although he probably wasn't gone for long it felt like days!! Even when he reappeared, once he clocked us looking back at him he stopped in his tracks and ran back again! And they say chocolate labs can be daft... I think not! He knew exactly what he was doing haha! We had to run (or try to through the thick claggy mud) the opposite direction and hope and pray for him to come. Which he did. Phew!! My heart was in my mouth!!
There must be something in the air..... Yesterday I went to the park with Obi and the second I let him off lead he took off towards the childrens' play equipment in the distance, which was covered in children. When they spotted him coming at them like a scalded cheetah some of the kids started squealing. Great. I was running hard but a long way back, already crafting my apology to the mothers on the park bench, when Obi turned to do a wide and cheeky fly-by the length of the playground and then came belting back to me for a treat. So even the supposedly 'trained' and allegedly 'grown up' ones can still have their moments....
Has stopped pounding now. Just. Taking him to the beach this morning. Can see some on lead/off lead and recall training being done. I should probably take him back to the forest but won't have time till next weekend. I do wonder if he was picking up deer scent Will be armed with lots of goodies!
Charlie says: "Cool, Obi. Was she so grateful you came back she gave you half the treat bag?! "Making kids squeal is SO much fun".
Charlie used to be super naughty for "zoom offs". He still does it time to time now but will recall (I normally give him a few seconds because he'll often stop and come back on his own). It is sometimes scent, sometimes just something interesting he has heard (a football being kicked etc), sometimes I think he just wants a run. Keeping him close and engaged with me is my main strategy, but trained my socks off on 'stop' and 'recall'. Also, in Charlie's case, steadiness to things he finds irresistible - which used to be anything at all, but is now really only ball throwers (even then, I can always recall him when he gets there, and could probably stop him but I don't normally risk my stop).
It's so scary but you did absolutely the right thing running in the opposite direction and so did little Eric so a good result! Hope your heart is firmly where it should be now! x
Was just about to say the same thing as Charlie, you did the right thing by running the opposite way. It's a hard thing to do but you have faint hope of catching up to a dog who doesn't want to be caught, thinks it's a game or even thinks you are coming as backup. Spring must be in the air, all these heart pounding stories lately.
Another of Ripple's favourite games as well - OH really struggles with the running away from him idea and always automatically goes towards Ripple. Unfortunately Ripple has very often run off to eat some delightful thing and is not always interested in running after us.
Try and make sure you have something MORE delightful to treat him with when he does return to you. Get the warm roast chicken chunks out! x
Its a bit like driving in icy conditions. If you slide, you are supposed to steer into the slide to get your control back The total opposite of what is natural. It does work though (both driving and with the dogs)
