Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
I must celebrate today in case it doesn’t happen again!
Today we had a bark-free walk.
A million thanks to Stephie (our behaviourist - The Shouty Barky Dog Lady) and all her help. I never thought it would happen!
Ted was quiet all the way in the car. Then a sensible sniff and look around before jumping out of the car. Then walking past two dogs quietly while on lead. Long off lead walk with lots of happy encounters, coming away willingly from those on lead.
At the end of the walk I put him back on the lead. This is the bit I dread, so I practiced my breathing (also taught by Stephie).
We met FOUR dogs on lead. Two he greeted and one he just walked past. One was barking and lunging like he has been doing until now. He just looked at me as if to say ‘I’d never do such a thing Mum!’
I think Ted came my way to be MY therapy dog through all the upheaval this year, he’s such a loving cuddle-bum. I also think he came to teach me some humility. All the Guide Dog puppy training made me think it was easy (haha) - turns out I had easy dogs, especially bred for calmness, steadiness and teachability (who knew? Lol). Ted has the spaniel energy and the poodle intelligence- what a mix! I clearly didn’t research the breed very well.
But all is well now - touch a lot of wood!!
Today we had a bark-free walk.
A million thanks to Stephie (our behaviourist - The Shouty Barky Dog Lady) and all her help. I never thought it would happen!
Ted was quiet all the way in the car. Then a sensible sniff and look around before jumping out of the car. Then walking past two dogs quietly while on lead. Long off lead walk with lots of happy encounters, coming away willingly from those on lead.
At the end of the walk I put him back on the lead. This is the bit I dread, so I practiced my breathing (also taught by Stephie).
We met FOUR dogs on lead. Two he greeted and one he just walked past. One was barking and lunging like he has been doing until now. He just looked at me as if to say ‘I’d never do such a thing Mum!’
I think Ted came my way to be MY therapy dog through all the upheaval this year, he’s such a loving cuddle-bum. I also think he came to teach me some humility. All the Guide Dog puppy training made me think it was easy (haha) - turns out I had easy dogs, especially bred for calmness, steadiness and teachability (who knew? Lol). Ted has the spaniel energy and the poodle intelligence- what a mix! I clearly didn’t research the breed very well.
But all is well now - touch a lot of wood!!
