Too quiet, here on the forum, by half.

So a day in the life of: met with a friend to talk through some dog issues, yesterday. A lovely person. A lovely little GSD she and her husband rescued. Not her first dog, and she has the dog enrolled and attending a dog training class, with a goal of CGC certification, and possibly graduating to therapy dog. Laudable endeavors.

We have talked before. In my mind, one of the issues has to do with her considering how others see her dog acting, and by extension how they might view her. And perhaps being too concerned with what others might think. Her dog, when on a leash, does not like dogs off of a leash to come bounding up to him. So we talked strategies. And in the first instance I opined that it was not reasonable to expect all people who walk their dogs to be as responsible as she. And further, I opined, the only dog she had a responsibility for is hers.

Personally, when confronted with similar situations, I sit my dog and prepare to protect him from an unwanted and potentially dangerous intrusion. Now, it is true my males are perfectly able to fend for themselves but that puts them at risk. So I view it as my responsibility to protect them from immediate dangers, and potential long term dangers. Dogs are one thing, stupid owners are another level of doltishness entirely.

We talked about command structures. What commands are used on her walks, what approaches to giving a command are effective, what tones of voice and posturing are conducive to inducing command compliance. I am a fan of short commands. No, come, sit, down, stand, walk, etc. Coaxing commands are not my style. Lots of praise is my style. And I am not a fan of watching my dog all the time, anxiously looking for a cue of a problem. I expect me to be looking out for problems. And how can I enjoy a walk if I am constantly anxious about how my dog might react to some as yet to be encountered problem? Forget wondering if others see me as a competent dog owner.

Attitude and demeanor have a lot to do with how you interact with your dog, I think. If you are confident, truly self confident, there is little need to be anxious. Just walk with the dog and enjoy the experience for what it is. I refuse to allow others to make my time with my dogs an anxious time. If I am confident my mutts seem less inclined to pay much attention to other intrusions.

Her dog has a wonderful home. The issues we discussed had more to do with reinforcing the first step in training a dog, which is training the owner.

Too quiet by half. Just had to write something to change the emptiness of recent posts. Nothing of consequence, just stuff.

And now for a cup of Lyons Gold Irish Tea. Cheers!

Oops! Last post mistake.

"Just had to write something to change the emptiness of recent posts."

Should have read "Just had to write something to change the emptiness of NO recent posts."

Mea culpa.

Gimme a cup! Wise words, I will be posting a setback this evening, I threw my back out and have a punched nerve, so have been laying upside down and cursing gravity!

Sounds like your friend went to the right guy!
I need that confidence, mine flew out the window today!

Well said Mike!

Building her confidence as a dog owner has as much to do with the training as working towards a well mannered dog.

Your the guy to get it done!!

I've once heard in an Ed Frawly DVD and if I'm not mistaken in one of M.E. too that a dog should get used to ignore other dogs on a walk as well as other distractions too. He should learn to pass them like some pole in the landscaape.

Mine are by now quite well behaving like this, though not 100%. Sometimes they turn their heads, especially, when it is a completely unknow dog. Is this so bad? I also turn my head, when I see something special.

I completely. I agree with Mike and Bob. Selfconfidence. This also transfers to the dog.I go on walking just saying "let's go on" in a calm voice and in an unpright position.

I us3e a commando, when one of mine tries to approach another dog. It is "leave it". They have first learned it at home just with food, then toys, and other objects, then peoople., It works, but again: not 100%.

Is it a coincidence that they have no problems with roamers? Those seem to be so much used to other dogs thet they don't harass u., A bit of curiosity, yes, but no more. It is enough to go on wqllking, sometimes perhaps lifting my hand and saying "gscht!".

More problemtic thing with dogs, who are normally on a chain or in crate for hours and the owner lets themthen run free for a while, They can be quite agressive. I've experienced this 3 times. Others of such lazy owners come running towards us with signs of aggression, but until now it was enough to walk on in a brisky and unimpressed manner and the dog disappeared or hid himelf.

I'm not sure if all this is right. If someone has to critize something about this, please, go ahead. I'd certainly appreciate.

A long time ago, someone who had problems with loose dogs when walking was advised to carry a stick.
I think that's good advice. An umbrella also works for keeping nosy off leash dogs away.

In our normal farm life, this isn't a problem....but when we go to Florida, all walks are leashed. Lots of little yappers straining on their flexi-leads, eyes bugged out, spit flying. My guys command is "out" which means "ignore this, do not engage".

My guy gets a little stiff, up on his toes....but he walks right along.

Yup. A nice, stout walking stick. I'd usually suggest one as a tool but in this case, my friend doesn't have the temperament to actually engage with one. And the presence of a stick might well cause more indecision than the absence of it.

I like having a tool to create distance and space, in the event of an unwanted potential intrusion. A jab by a good walking stick is better than a whack, in my opinion. And is viewed more as a defensive gesture than a swinging motion. Kind of like keeping an interloper at an extended arm's length.

Of course, my dogs would have to stay in place or chaos would ensue.

She'd probably be better off with a can of Halt.

This excellent thread reminds me again of how much dogs want and flourish with a real pack
leader ...

Maybe it sounds simplistic, but to me, it's profoundly true that being our dogs' strong, reliable pack leader is Job One.

Affection and companionship and fun and security and the best training are all wonderful, and all happen best under the umbrella of pack leadership.

JMHO! I know that the folks here know all this ... it's just that I sometimes stop and marvel over how the best thing for our dogs can be such a good thing for us ...

Just a few times of stepping between the strange dog and mine seemed to make my guy think that these odd dogs were my problem, not his.

Just a few times of stepping between the strange dog and mine seemed to make my guy think that these odd dogs were my problem, not his.