So trainers usually joke amongst ourselves that we always end up with screwed up dogs. And it seems like the dice have rolled my way...I don't tend to think that I live in denial-ville, and in fact was patting myself on the back for making proactive moves on my part. A phone consult with a great trainer, management, teaching some skills here and there. And sadly, the trainer has failed. I've failed to protect my dog and to take his issue seriously.
This morning on a hike, a man with a old chow on a flexi lead was walking towards us.
"Wait", I told Sweets and Tater (both off leash)
The obliged, stayed put while I leashed them.
The man with his dog showed no signs of slowing down...
We pulled off the path and this guy just let his dog come into their space.
Sweets is alarm barking...
"She's friendly."
"Well, they're not, pull her away."
By this point, Tater is in full on meltdown mode.
He pulls his panting dog past, I let my dogs go off leash and then start to cry.
Mourning that I have no bomb proof dog. Mourning that I have work to do.
I don't have dog park hopes, and never had. I do have attachment to how things "should" be.
And I can see that he was always uncertain even from a young age, this is not "new". It's intense as
he has gotten holder...
Off to work we go.
Leigh Siegfried, CPDT-KA and the Opportunity Barks staff make occasional posts on dog training and puppy training tips and resources, enrichment and the human-animal bond. We work with dogs and their owners in Philadelphia, Bucks County and the surrounding areas. We're certified, award-winning and Vet recommended and offer private tutoring, boarding and training programs, and group dog training classes, workshops and clinics. www.opbarks.com
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