As a dog trainer and behaviourist, I come across a lot of people and dogs, not just in my work but also socially and just out and about, today’s dog owner even surprised me!
Above a much needed moment of rest after our trauma!
A training event I would like to do more of is to get my clients and groups out and about in the real world applying the training they have learnt in class, today was the first time I took 2 clients to a public place to apply their training and learn how to deal with the distractions of life, all my clients have the goal of being able to take their dog anywhere and to do that we must practice! Off we went to Snape Maltings, hoping first day back at school would be a reasonably quiet day…. It wasn’t. We spent time in the car park, firstly ensuring the walk started well by training the dogs to get in and out their cars patiently, next we took the dogs through some familiar and relatively easy close exercises for them now, of course any training in a new environment will always be challenging, dogs and handlers did well, we spent time practicing our lead training around open spaces before venturing on a walk across the board walk toward the river Alde, I scouted ahead and noticed some people with a dog on what I thought was a flexi lead, warned the owners and prepared them for the new distraction, my first client passed by the dog without incident, I was bringing up the rear, the strange dog owner reeled her dog in and we carried on, my clients dog (a very sweet natured 10 month old Labrador) was on a short lead and under complete control, the strangers dog started barking and growling nastily and lunged on its lead, the owner lost hold of the long line and just managed to stop the dog as it reached our Lab, it was a nasty incident, the dog really wanted to attack, the owner made no apology, showed no remorse and wanted to carry on as if nothing had happened, I suggested they might like to muzzle the dog in public as it obviously wanted to bite, the response shouted at us was “GO AWAY”, I of course didn’t, and continued to point out the dog wanted to bite, by now my client had got out of the way and stopped on the boardwalk, and called back, the dog had bitten her nose, I went and checked her, it was minor but there was blood. Whatever I said the only response I got from the stranger “GO AWAY” repeatedly.
Of course, eventually we did go away and continue our training walk round to the river and stop for coffee at the café, we met several dogs, all of which were on leads and under control with respectful owners.
Fortunately, my clients dog has a super nature, but if over time this type of event happens enough she will start to defend herself or worse, lunge at others to keep them from hurting her, it is likely how this strange dog had learnt.
I get that people love their dogs and rather like our children we get upset if they are criticised, but just like our children they must learn to behave socially and not break the law. It is not the dog’s fault, dog behaviour can be changed, at the very least the dog made safe in public.
My one regret is I didn’t get my phone out and video this woman and her dog, next time I will be ready!
Until all dog owners start to care not just for their own dogs but also for other peoples this in going to keep happening, and spoil all our fun!
There will be more training outings, let me know if you are brave enough to join us?
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