“It doesn't do anything, it just wants to say hello…”
I could have bought a lot of dog treats if I had a fiver for every time I've heard that phrase when I walk Emma. Let me be clear, I'm NOT a fan of that phrase, and I'm not a fan of dogs that are out of control. Remember, you have no idea what the dog you meet has been through or experienced.
Let's go back in time a little. As I said, I have a beagle – and yes, it has tried to run away, but I have chosen to listen to my gut and many other beagle owners, and keep it on a leash. It goes its own way, and TOTALLY closes its ears. You can stand and call/shout/run lure it with treats, nothing helps once it chooses to run away 😊 (I've tried that – and it's not fun, and it's not in control).
The first time it went wrong was on a beautiful summer evening. My husband and I were out walking her on a leash, walking on the bike path at leisure. On the opposite side of the road, we saw a lady open a gate to the garden and out came 2 dogs, going to get into their car, but they were loose and obviously thought Emma was a threat, even though we were walking on the other side of the road (Emma didn't bark or growl - she hadn't seen them at all). They crossed the road and right into Emma's crotch. Luckily my husband was quick and kicked the 2 dogs out, they got away, and we rushed away - away from them. I think the harness was responsible for some of the bites. The owner came running and apologized many times, and we ended it there. But it has left its mark on both Emma and us. The second time it happened – here Emma was also not at fault, she was just standing with me and another dog on a leash nearby felt threatened by her in some way, and rushed over and bit her, biting a small hole in her chest.
I think it is very misunderstood that dogs just need to be socialized, then it's "happy go lucky" and joy and fun. Dogs are a bit racist, but also a bit of a "group bully". I can see that when we are a group together for training somewhere in the city, we can be 4-8 dogs together without any problems, BUT then a strange dog comes walking on a peaceful walk - hold it, it will be read and nudged by our dogs that it is not part of the club and should probably go around a bit. 😊 So therefore - if you meet a dog on a leash, respect that it is on a leash. ASK the owner first if it wants to say hello, and then don't say it AFTER the dog has slipped over to say hello 😊
I have also tried going to the dog park (the ones that are fenced in) – precisely because I want to give her the freedom to run. But that wasn't great luck either. I think some people misunderstood the concept. It's more like a coffee club. We came with our beagles, and walked around with the dogs – had fun & talked and had control of our dogs. But then some regulars came, it seemed, who let the dogs go, and went into the middle to the table/bench sets, picked up the coffee pots, and then we had fun at the table – all while the dogs had "free play". I quickly decided that it wasn't the place for us.
When we walk Emma is always on a long leash, so I accommodate her “sniffing urge” – but I still tried to give her a free space to play safely – and that has now been found – and the bonus is that they can also look after her when we are away. I have 1 requirement for those who will look after Emma, and that is that she must be part of the family – she should NOT be in a box with music on the radio and 1 x airing a day. Emma IS a family dog, used to being part of the family, and she should be when she is looked after.
I have found a fantastic dog daycare that is nearby. "Happy Dog". Here she is in daycare once a week. It is AMAZING. It IS like a daycare 😊 They are dropped off between 7-9, are out several times a day. Afternoon nap/break, and they can be picked up from 3 pm. 😊 You get a super lovely tired and happy dog home - but the coolest thing is that when you drop her off, she can hardly contain herself with sheer joy/eagerness - she is so happy to be with them <3 It is HIGHLY recommended.
A little about the blogger.
Lotte is a customer advisor by day and spends most of her free time training with her dog Emma, who is a beagle girl of almost 9 summers. They have trained and competed in Schweiss's track. Agility without much success (you can't tempt them with treats) and now they train Nose Work 3-4 times a week, if they can get to it. They compete at NW3 level, and they have a party together when they apply.
It doesn't do anything...
“It doesn't do anything, it just wants to say hello…”
I could have bought a lot of dog treats if I had a fiver for every time I've heard that phrase when I walk Emma. Let me be clear, I'm NOT a fan of that phrase, and I'm not a fan of dogs that are out of control. Remember, you have no idea what the dog you meet has been through or experienced.
Let's go back in time a little. As I said, I have a beagle – and yes, it has tried to run away, but I have chosen to listen to my gut and many other beagle owners, and keep it on a leash. It goes its own way, and TOTALLY closes its ears. You can stand and call/shout/run lure it with treats, nothing helps once it chooses to run away 😊 (I've tried that – and it's not fun, and it's not in control).
The first time it went wrong was on a beautiful summer evening. My husband and I were out walking her on a leash, walking on the bike path at leisure. On the opposite side of the road, we saw a lady open a gate to the garden and out came 2 dogs, going to get into their car, but they were loose and obviously thought Emma was a threat, even though we were walking on the other side of the road (Emma didn't bark or growl - she hadn't seen them at all). They crossed the road and right into Emma's crotch. Luckily my husband was quick and kicked the 2 dogs out, they got away, and we rushed away - away from them. I think the harness was responsible for some of the bites. The owner came running and apologized many times, and we ended it there. But it has left its mark on both Emma and us. The second time it happened – here Emma was also not at fault, she was just standing with me and another dog on a leash nearby felt threatened by her in some way, and rushed over and bit her, biting a small hole in her chest.
I think it is very misunderstood that dogs just need to be socialized, then it's "happy go lucky" and joy and fun. Dogs are a bit racist, but also a bit of a "group bully". I can see that when we are a group together for training somewhere in the city, we can be 4-8 dogs together without any problems, BUT then a strange dog comes walking on a peaceful walk - hold it, it will be read and nudged by our dogs that it is not part of the club and should probably go around a bit. 😊 So therefore - if you meet a dog on a leash, respect that it is on a leash. ASK the owner first if it wants to say hello, and then don't say it AFTER the dog has slipped over to say hello 😊
I have also tried going to the dog park (the ones that are fenced in) – precisely because I want to give her the freedom to run. But that wasn't great luck either. I think some people misunderstood the concept. It's more like a coffee club. We came with our beagles, and walked around with the dogs – had fun & talked and had control of our dogs. But then some regulars came, it seemed, who let the dogs go, and went into the middle to the table/bench sets, picked up the coffee pots, and then we had fun at the table – all while the dogs had "free play". I quickly decided that it wasn't the place for us.
When we walk Emma is always on a long leash, so I accommodate her “sniffing urge” – but I still tried to give her a free space to play safely – and that has now been found – and the bonus is that they can also look after her when we are away. I have 1 requirement for those who will look after Emma, and that is that she must be part of the family – she should NOT be in a box with music on the radio and 1 x airing a day. Emma IS a family dog, used to being part of the family, and she should be when she is looked after.
I have found a fantastic dog daycare that is nearby. "Happy Dog". Here she is in daycare once a week. It is AMAZING. It IS like a daycare 😊 They are dropped off between 7-9, are out several times a day. Afternoon nap/break, and they can be picked up from 3 pm. 😊 You get a super lovely tired and happy dog home - but the coolest thing is that when you drop her off, she can hardly contain herself with sheer joy/eagerness - she is so happy to be with them <3 It is HIGHLY recommended.
A little about the blogger.
Lotte is a customer advisor by day and spends most of her free time training with her dog Emma, who is a beagle girl of almost 9 summers. They have trained and competed in Schweiss's track. Agility without much success (you can't tempt them with treats) and now they train Nose Work 3-4 times a week, if they can get to it. They compete at NW3 level, and they have a party together when they apply.