Lunch time today OH and myself decided to take Mabel to the little cafe on the canal. Rain and restricted exercise is so limiting! Poor girl was in sensory over load. Ducks, barges, people, children and dogs she didn't know which way to turn, although she soon settled down. We crossed the bridge and came face to face with another chocolate lab. As no playing is allowed I shouted to the guy who kept some distance when Mabel was calm he walked up to me and said what's wrong with her. I explained ED. "oh my dog will never get that as I never allowed her to jump or use stairs". "Well guess what Mabel wasn't allowed to do these things either", I'm beginning to sound rude I thought. He then proceeded to perform a sort of training session showing we his dog knew a variety of different cues. he also told me I would benefit from training my puppy. I explained restricted exercise does have an effect on a dog's behaviour. At which point I walked off. We had lunch and as we were walking back to the car he was still behaving in this rather odd manner. He was watching Mabel all the time. This is the first time I have ever met a Labrador owner that wasn't nice. I think I'm in shock On a positive note Mabel didn't jump at a single person ignored all the children. We did meet 7 dogs okay that was tricky apart from one where I got her to focus and walk to heal. Yay. Ducks and geese she watched in amazement, she has seen them plenty of times before. Pretty pleased with my girl as a quiet walk turned into a challenge.
Mabel did brilliantly! It is so hard when they are young and on restricted exercise as virtually anything becomes exciting , regardless of how quiet and calm they are normally. I think you were very polite to the other Labrador owner - I don't think I would have been . It's pretty obvious he knows nothing about Labradors, or canine health issues, if he thinks ED is caused by jumping or going upstairs (although there is a school of thought that says environment can play apart). I know for a fact that jumping and going upstairs could not cause Juno's malformed joint . It sounds as if he was one of the competitive type whose dog has to be better than your dog, shame you didn't have Mabel's word cards - bet his dog can't read. Yes most Labrador owner are very nice, and understanding, they say people become like their dogs, but there's always one
What an odd person. Sounds like Mabel had a lovely outing and was a really good girl even though it was a very exciting place
Well done Mabel. Good girl. Just be glad you don't have to live with him., you always get a no it all
