Harvey
Well-known member
About 6 months ago Harvey developed a couple of nasty habits - one was pulling on the lead and the other was barking at other dogs, barking so bad that it was embarrassing! Taking him to the Vets was a nightmare and just walking around the block was bad enough.
But i have been putting alot of effort into training him on the lead and trying to get him better with other dogs.
Yesterday my hard work was rewarded - I took him with me to collect the children from school - something i dont do because you have to stand by the gates (dogs are not allowed onto the school grounds) with all the other parents that also combine the school pick up with walking the dog. In the past he would have barked the place down, tugged and pulled to get to the other dogs, embarrassing me while the other parents stare as if to say can you not shut that dog up....
We arrived slightly early, there was a miniture black poodle, black labrador, two golden retrievers, a very large white standard poodle, Harvey and i. I told him to sit and he sat, he looked around at the other dogs and i could see that he was about to bark, so i said no and made him focus on me. For the next 10 minutes he sat there like an absolute angle while hundreds of kids walked passed him, some even stopping to stroke him, even when the small black poodle started to bark he didnt take any notice!!
When my daughter arrived he stood up and waged his tail very pleased to see her - as we walked home a little cocker spaniel growled and barked at him and he still didnt re-act!!
I am so proud of my little boy - hopefully this is the start of being able to take him anywhere without the fear of him causing a scene!!
But i have been putting alot of effort into training him on the lead and trying to get him better with other dogs.
Yesterday my hard work was rewarded - I took him with me to collect the children from school - something i dont do because you have to stand by the gates (dogs are not allowed onto the school grounds) with all the other parents that also combine the school pick up with walking the dog. In the past he would have barked the place down, tugged and pulled to get to the other dogs, embarrassing me while the other parents stare as if to say can you not shut that dog up....
We arrived slightly early, there was a miniture black poodle, black labrador, two golden retrievers, a very large white standard poodle, Harvey and i. I told him to sit and he sat, he looked around at the other dogs and i could see that he was about to bark, so i said no and made him focus on me. For the next 10 minutes he sat there like an absolute angle while hundreds of kids walked passed him, some even stopping to stroke him, even when the small black poodle started to bark he didnt take any notice!!
When my daughter arrived he stood up and waged his tail very pleased to see her - as we walked home a little cocker spaniel growled and barked at him and he still didnt re-act!!
I am so proud of my little boy - hopefully this is the start of being able to take him anywhere without the fear of him causing a scene!!