A mixed week here but more good than not.
We had a fabulous walk on Monday, into the local town and up and down the high street. Lots of people, shouting school kids etc, men loading a van banging about. He was such a good boy, walking to heel, no pulling and keeping his attention on me. I was so pleased with him I could have burst.
A minor hiccup yesterday with the lead walking- whilst my youngest has a sports club I take puppy to the local park to mooch and sit on a bench and people watch, it’s become our routine. When we pulled up yesterday on the residential road outside the park he was very excited, wanting to pull to get to the park, so we turned around and practiced walking on the streets for ten min. The first few min were a bit of a disaster and he struggled to concentrate, but he did settle and remember to go forwards you need to be next to me, in front and we stop. We had a good few minutes at the end so I’m hoping despite the blip was overcome.
The bigger issue was he’s been attacked by TWO offlead dogs this week. Both times were completely unjustified. The first we were in the middle of a playing field doing some training. He was on lead. A male black lab ran across from the other side of the field, owner trailing behind not even calling. Firstly sniffed him but then air snapped and stood over him. I’m shouting at the owner to come get their dog, they’re walking over saying he’s friendly!! Ffs. Thankfully their dog did then go back.
The second time was worse. We were walking through the local wood, the path went past a clearing with benches. There was a large family group, multiple adults and kids playing, maybe a dozen or more. I called him to heel (he was already on the long line but loose and mooching) and I was really pleased as he was walking past, not looking at them, giving me his full attention. I could not have asked for more. We’d got past them and I suddenly hear barking. Two dachshunds come bowling at us, growling and barking, owners calling them frantically but completely ignored. The dogs were not messing about. The first one launched itself at my puppy and as it was mid air I kicked it, and it ran back. The second one followed. It wasn’t ideal and I don’t generally go round kicking dogs (!) but I wasn’t willing to let them terrify and injure my puppy, especially as it could impact how he views other dogs for life and it was the second time in quick succession.
We have puppy class this afternoon so I’m hoping we can do some more work on walking past distractions/other dogs to reinforce that you can trust me, focus on me, and still stay safe.
Sleeping is ok. Brilliant in that he’s ready to sleep, starting to get dopey at 630pm, we encourage him into his living room crate at about 7 and he instantly lies down to sleep without a fuss. We then chill out and watch tv with him next to us in the crate. He tends to wake once or twice before we go to bed, goes to the toilet and back in his crate without a fuss. He then wakes between 5.45-6.15. He goes to the toilet and then is happy to go back into bed for another 20/30 min. I appreciate that we get an evening of peace so I’m very grateful for that… but it would be lovely if he could just stretch is bladder that little bit longer! I don’t go back to sleep once he’s woken up the first time.
I hope your elder dog settles soon, @CoubousAndTourmaIet . We are still as we were, having to separate them frequently when he’s too much.