- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Good boy Chewie!
Doggy brags
- Thread starter snowbunny
- Start date
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
I had been thinking of posting on here for a while about how much more relaxed Joy has started to be around other dogs now, since her nasty attack two years ago. It has taken about two years of work, being upbeat and jolly around new dogs (me) and rewarding calm behaviour, so not a short process but she's been doing really well lately. I felt a bit hesitant about posting too soon though and didn't want to 'jinx' things. Thismorning however she was a real star, so I decided I'd post when we'd finished our walk. Then something happened that made me feel more like posting in 'Ranting '! A year or so ago a couple moved into our road with two GSDs, who to be honest they really didn't seem to have much control over, particularly when one person was walking both dogs. There was a lot of lunging and barking and the man of the couple reacted to this by hitting them, whilst the woman yelled 'Stop it!' at them. Joy is frightened of them and will bark if she sees them, so we do our best to avoid them.
Thismorning towards the end of our walk I clipped her lead on as we were approaching a road, when out of nowhere the male dog appeared, off lead and ran at her ( this was on the same road as she was attacked on two years ago, but at the opposite end) I could hear the woman calling him, but to no avail and he jumped on poor little Joy! It could have been playful, he wasn't growling or anything but he's so much bigger than her! Joy shrieked, then she slipped her collar but instead of running off, she very cleverly hid behind my legs. I held my hand up in a kind of 'Stop!' position and shouted 'No!' at the dog, who looked a bit baffled, then went back to his owner, who put him on lead. Joy was a bit shaken but didn't appear hurt. She had a good bark at the retreating dog while I put her collar and lead back on. Just then a man we know with his two dogs arrived. Joy greeted them happily, then we headed for home, me telling her how clever and brave she was, her trotting along beside me as if nothing in particular had happened! She has been her usual self for the rest of the day, so I'm really hoping that this hasn't set her back. I was so impressed with how she slipped her collar in order to make a speedy getaway if necessary, also pleased that she then left me to deal with the situation. It was almost as if, after the first attack she had decided on a strategy for if it happened again! Anyway, it means it's still a brag so far, rather than a rant. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays like that.
Thismorning towards the end of our walk I clipped her lead on as we were approaching a road, when out of nowhere the male dog appeared, off lead and ran at her ( this was on the same road as she was attacked on two years ago, but at the opposite end) I could hear the woman calling him, but to no avail and he jumped on poor little Joy! It could have been playful, he wasn't growling or anything but he's so much bigger than her! Joy shrieked, then she slipped her collar but instead of running off, she very cleverly hid behind my legs. I held my hand up in a kind of 'Stop!' position and shouted 'No!' at the dog, who looked a bit baffled, then went back to his owner, who put him on lead. Joy was a bit shaken but didn't appear hurt. She had a good bark at the retreating dog while I put her collar and lead back on. Just then a man we know with his two dogs arrived. Joy greeted them happily, then we headed for home, me telling her how clever and brave she was, her trotting along beside me as if nothing in particular had happened! She has been her usual self for the rest of the day, so I'm really hoping that this hasn't set her back. I was so impressed with how she slipped her collar in order to make a speedy getaway if necessary, also pleased that she then left me to deal with the situation. It was almost as if, after the first attack she had decided on a strategy for if it happened again! Anyway, it means it's still a brag so far, rather than a rant. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays like that.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
How terrifying for you both Candy, my heart was in my mouth reading it but I am so so so glad GGJ and you are both ok
We have a law here that if you are found walking a dog that you can't control you are fined.
We have a law here that if you are found walking a dog that you can't control you are fined.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Oh bless her, yes she’s worked out what to do and put her trust in you 
- Location
- East Sussex
I'm so glad that GGJ wasn't hurt and didn't let it frighten her too much. She was so lovely and welcoming to Molly last summer and squeezed into my car with her without a qualm.
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Just caught up. She really is a beautiful soul and going etween your legs shows how much faith she has in you and knows you would always protect her. X
- Location
- Isle of Man
Dear Joy, sensitive and clever. You've both done so well to be able to handle the charging dog.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Good girl joy, very very well done both of you. I hope those humans and dogs move away soon!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Funnily enough when I saw my neighbours thismorning and mentioned what had happened, they told me that there's now a 'For Sale' sign up outside the GSD owners' house!Good girl joy, very very well done both of you. I hope those humans and dogs move away soon!
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
GGJ was absolutely fine up on the Moor thismorning, happy to greet other dogs and generally having a good time. We ended up by the pond with some friends and an absolutely beautiful young female GSD also went in for a swim. She had a lovely soft face and the young woman with her clearly knew what she was doing. Joy saw her, no barking or panicky behaviour, she just very deliberately moved to the opposite end of the pond, then continued to play, which I was really pleased with. ( It later transpired that the young woman is a police officer and the GSD is a police dog in training)
So all in all I'm very proud of my GGJ, she seems to be developing resilience, which is a good thing to have in life. She is also covered in mud, which she thinks is an even better thing to have in life.
So all in all I'm very proud of my GGJ, she seems to be developing resilience, which is a good thing to have in life. She is also covered in mud, which she thinks is an even better thing to have in life.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
As we came round the corner of one field to the next, there were 3 gorgeous deer in the middle of it. Red looked and then started running towards them (they were quite a distance away). I blew my whistle and she immediately changed course and came running back 
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Having got myself into a tizzy over Reubens excitability ten days ago , today I was so proud of our boy . My back has been giving me some bother so this afternoon we went to Golitha which , despite the cafe being closed and the weather inclement , was quite busy . We did loads of retrieving , memories and blinds , he was a star completely ignoring all other dogs and people , just 100% focussed on me .It was truly wonderful , I felt so proud as several people stood watching him , bless xx
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Just need to share this. Many of you may remember the fence issues and the snarling dogs behind the back fence. We had to replace our rear neighbours fence and the whole process was a nightmare…..Red reacting badly to the noises from those dogs and even the neighbour’s voice at times!
This weekend we’ve been outside in the garden most of the weekend. We’ve had the doors open. Red has managed to not react to those dogs or the yapping from another neighbour’s garden (they have their son’s dog to stay sometimes). A few times she started to react and stopped herself. She looked and came to us and I went and got a treat each time. However, the best was while we were inside eating our meal. I could see her lying on the lawn dozing from the window near the table. I heard them snarl, saw Red jump up……and then saw her trotting towards the open door…..and she came through to us. I said to F ‘she’s bringing herself in’. Really chuffed with her reactions - she really is thinking about her actions. I feel I have psychologically got my lovely garden back
This weekend we’ve been outside in the garden most of the weekend. We’ve had the doors open. Red has managed to not react to those dogs or the yapping from another neighbour’s garden (they have their son’s dog to stay sometimes). A few times she started to react and stopped herself. She looked and came to us and I went and got a treat each time. However, the best was while we were inside eating our meal. I could see her lying on the lawn dozing from the window near the table. I heard them snarl, saw Red jump up……and then saw her trotting towards the open door…..and she came through to us. I said to F ‘she’s bringing herself in’. Really chuffed with her reactions - she really is thinking about her actions. I feel I have psychologically got my lovely garden back
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
This is marvellous news Alison.
Of course a massive well done to Red is in order
, but to you too. It just shows what commitment and persistence in training can achieve, it can't have been easy at times.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland