Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
After 4 fabulous years, my dog walker, Oli, is leaving to persue his dreams of being an author. His books so far have been amazing and I am pleased to of been able to help him on his journey through my work. As pleased as I am for him, I’ve also been really sad as Harley adores him plus he has been amazing with her.
I have spent the whole of this month stressing about finding someone who could relate to Harley and deal with her reactiveness. I met 5 dog walkers and decided to let Harley have a trial walk with one as she seemed really capable and only walks 2 other dogs. Unfortunately when she dropped Harley back she was really hesitant and unsure and kept saying Harley was ‘dominant’ to the other dog they took with them (her boss also went with them). She hadn’t listened to what I asked about introducing them whilst on lead and by walking a distance away and getting closer slowly. They decided to just let them off lead straight away. I have mulled this over in the past week and decided not to have another trial walk as she suggested. I just didn’t feel confident in her comments and how she didn’t listen to me.
A few days ago I bumped into a man who was walking with his wife and a child and 3 dogs. They had seen a little dog terrorise Harley as it’s owner stated ‘he has no recall’ and ‘he just wants to play’. Harley was on lead and when I eventually got away I sat on the floor with her doing ‘paw, high 5, touch’ to calm her down and refocus her. The man came over to me and asked if I was ok. I explained about her reactivity with certain dogs. He was great. He sat with us, his wife kept their dogs away and he played with Harley. We got talking and I said I was looking for a dog walker but was struggling due to her reactivity to certain dogs. We chatted for a bit then he suggested I let Harley off to play with his dogs. She was amazing. They said ‘hi’ on lead, then as she was calm, I let her off. We spent the next hour walking together with Harley playing with his 2 lab crosses and a Dalmatian that he walks. It was so nice to see her so relaxed. She was even ok when 3 spaniels ran over and joined in playing with the ball. When we got back to the cars, he gave me his business card and offered to meet me for 2nd a trial walk (he said he counted this one as the 1st). Harley gave him and his wife and the child (their neighbour) kisses.
Anyway, (very long story (sorry!)), we are meeting him tomorrow morning with his 2 dogs for our 2nd trial walk. I am really hoping it goes well as I felt relaxed, his mannerism is similar to Oli’s and Harley responses really well to him. Fingers crossed
I have spent the whole of this month stressing about finding someone who could relate to Harley and deal with her reactiveness. I met 5 dog walkers and decided to let Harley have a trial walk with one as she seemed really capable and only walks 2 other dogs. Unfortunately when she dropped Harley back she was really hesitant and unsure and kept saying Harley was ‘dominant’ to the other dog they took with them (her boss also went with them). She hadn’t listened to what I asked about introducing them whilst on lead and by walking a distance away and getting closer slowly. They decided to just let them off lead straight away. I have mulled this over in the past week and decided not to have another trial walk as she suggested. I just didn’t feel confident in her comments and how she didn’t listen to me.
A few days ago I bumped into a man who was walking with his wife and a child and 3 dogs. They had seen a little dog terrorise Harley as it’s owner stated ‘he has no recall’ and ‘he just wants to play’. Harley was on lead and when I eventually got away I sat on the floor with her doing ‘paw, high 5, touch’ to calm her down and refocus her. The man came over to me and asked if I was ok. I explained about her reactivity with certain dogs. He was great. He sat with us, his wife kept their dogs away and he played with Harley. We got talking and I said I was looking for a dog walker but was struggling due to her reactivity to certain dogs. We chatted for a bit then he suggested I let Harley off to play with his dogs. She was amazing. They said ‘hi’ on lead, then as she was calm, I let her off. We spent the next hour walking together with Harley playing with his 2 lab crosses and a Dalmatian that he walks. It was so nice to see her so relaxed. She was even ok when 3 spaniels ran over and joined in playing with the ball. When we got back to the cars, he gave me his business card and offered to meet me for 2nd a trial walk (he said he counted this one as the 1st). Harley gave him and his wife and the child (their neighbour) kisses.
Anyway, (very long story (sorry!)), we are meeting him tomorrow morning with his 2 dogs for our 2nd trial walk. I am really hoping it goes well as I felt relaxed, his mannerism is similar to Oli’s and Harley responses really well to him. Fingers crossed
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