A cyclist ran over our puppy today!

[releasethehounds]

Our border collie puppy is nearly 5 months old. She has a lovely nature, v affectionate etc but has a few bad habits. We've had border collies before so we're aware of their instincts, but this one is proving more challenging than the previous ones!

The worst problem is she is obsessed with cars, bikes, scooters etc so this makes taking her for walks difficult. We have taught her some basic commands (sit, come here etc) and we're now at the stage of letting her go off the lead in very quiet areas well away from roads.

Today we took her to the local disused railway walk which is v quiet during the week except for the occasional dog walker and cyclist. We were completely alone and well away from the road so we decided to let her off her lead (we take treats with us to call her back). After about 20 mins a cyclist came along from behind us. I called the dog to come to me, but when she saw the bike she could only focus on that and I couldn't get her onto the lead. The cyclist slowed down a little and DH called out to him to "please stop, she's only a pup", but the cyclist just ran right over her middle! DH & I just stood in shock - the cyclist looked round and said "is it ok?" then just cycled off - he didn't even stop to check. Luckily she seems fine and she's running around the garden as normal tonight.

Whilst I'm angry that the cyclist didn't stop (I'm also a keen cyclist and I always stop if I come across dogs and children) I'm also exasperated with the dog and myself as I don't feel we can confidently give her a decent walk anywhere safely.

Any advice anyone please?

[differentID]

keep an eye on her over night- if he's run over her abdomen then problems might not arise until later on.

do you have an extending lead for her?

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I would have her to the vet asap.

[releasethehounds]

I was thinking about one of those - we've never had to use one before. Does that mean we could use it for now until she becomes a bit more reliable off the lead?

[releasethehounds]

FabBakerGirl - we are keeping a v close eye on her and will surely take her to the vet if there's any change in her. Luckily the cyclist wasn't going at speed, but I'm still amazed she wasn't more hurt.

[OrmIrian]

Some cyclists are complete arseholes when it come to dogs! They seem to think that because something is a cycle path it is only cyclists that can use them!

Keep an eye on her tonight. Hope she's OK

[releasethehounds]

Thanks OrmIrian - it wasn't even a cycle path, it's an old railway track that anyone can use.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I just can't believe someone can be that awful to ride over a dog.

[differentID]

I would rth.
I tried one with mine but it didn't work because she used to pull so much.
In the end we used a harness and short rope lead for control and don't let her off lead at all, but she gets to run around my mother's huge back garden. When she can be asked.

[releasethehounds]

I know FBG - I was in shock and disbelief for some time after. DH is furious (I'm just glad he couldn't catch up with the cyclist!)

[releasethehounds]

differentID - we too have that problem with her pulling on the lead, although I've made some progress with that. I can't imagine taking a border collie for walks only on a lead - they need so much exercise.

[differentID]

endless games of fetch did the trick with Kes.
she hates being away from my mother as well, which is part of the problem of pulling. it's not so much an issue any more as she is eleven and has finally stopped pulling.

[releasethehounds]

OMG after 11 years! We've introduced a ball with ours - collies usually love a ball. Hopefully in time she'll focus on that rather than cars, bikes etc. (That's the plan anyway).

[releasethehounds]

Have to go now. Thanks all for your replies - I'll log on again tomorrow.

[differentID]

she loves a solid rubber ball and a solid rubber bone. has to have one with her all the time.

[SOLOisMeredithGrey]

Sorry to hear your pup was run over today

I found that a halti worked fabulously with my last dog who was a dreadful puller! perhaps an extending lead with the halti, but don't let the lead out too far or it'll be pointless(halti).

[Bella21]

Hope she's okay. How awful

I'd get her checked out in the morning just to be on safe side.

Fecking cyclists

[Bella21]

Just an idea - for future. Since she has such a high prey drive, can you get her fixated on a special toy that becomes her most prized possession, and whip that out of your pocket when a cyclist etc. comes by? I'd also use extending lead at this stage.

Best of luck & hope she's okay.

[differentID]

hope she's been ok overnight!

[throckenholt]

I have an 18 month old border who is similar with chasing (and was also an escape artist although that seems to have disappeared a bit now).

I use a halti to stop the pulling. And I would stick to leads when out walking unless you are in an enclosed field. I think with collies it is not so much exercise that is the key so much as social interaction and mental stimulation. So if you can get into some regular training, hide and seek with something smelly, lots of ball throwing at home etc. Hopefully all that will be ingrained so that by the time she is 2ish maybe you can slowly reintroduce off lead time when she has calmed down a bit (at least that is what I am hoping with ours).

I envy those people whose collies are reliable from day one. I think those that are chasers are never going to be totally reliable.

Words can express what an idiot your cyclist was though - to not even stop after the event.

[throckenholt]

by the way my other collie (now 12) also stopped pulling at about 11 (well she still does sometimes but mostly not now)

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

How is she today?

[FernieB]

Sorry to hear about your pup. Hope she's okay now. My neighbours dog was run over by a cyclist when he was a pup and he is now aggressive towards cyclists (although normally the soppiest dog you could meet).

[Gumbo]

I'm afraid I have a slightly different perspective on this - and no doubt I'll be shouted down...

Last year DH went out on his bicycle bright and early one sunny summer morning. He was on a cycle track, not going too fast, when someone's dog which wasn't on a lead ran in front of him, resulting in a serious accident. DH ended up being taken to hospital having smashed him arm into 17 pieces; despite numerous operations (with more to come) his arm will never be the same again. The dog owner never took responsibility or even apologised. The dog was fine, BTW.

Both DH and I cycle, and are very aware/nervous of dogs not on leads - I've had several chase me/try to bite me - only for the owner to tell me "he doesn't like bikes" . Fine - but why let him off his lead on a cycle track?

I appreciate you weren't on a cycle track specifically, but it's still your responsibility to be able to control your dog. I'm glad your dog wasn't seriously hurt - and I'm glad the cyclist wasn't either

[Fimbo]

I agree with Gumbo's post tbh. If my dc had been around and a dog started chasing them whilst on their bikes, puppy or not, they would be in hysterics.