Today I took Loki out for a walk, and as I came to the end of my block, I saw a black Lab standing there with no leash. I stopped and put Loki behind me and yelled at the dog to GO! After a few yells he ran away. I knew one day I would come across a loose dog since almost every house in my neighbourhood has dogs running free in their backyard. As soon as I step out of my apartment all the dogs go crazy. Loki is fine with all the noise as long as long as it's in some distance, but if I walk him close to a fence that has dogs he gets excited. He doesn't growl or bark, just really wants to go closer.
The problem I have is with myself. I get really uneasy walking by those fences, cause they are not high at all and it seems way easy for the dogs to jump over. So I tense up and get nervous and that feeds on to my dog. As a result I don't really walk him all that much, I take him to a park nearby and play fetch and let him run. We go there every day and he loves it and is really calm in the house. But I just wish I could walk him without freaking out over other dogs Any ideas on how to work on that?
The problem I have is with myself. I get really uneasy walking by those fences, cause they are not high at all and it seems way easy for the dogs to jump over. So I tense up and get nervous and that feeds on to my dog. As a result I don't really walk him all that much... But I just wish I could walk him without freaking out over other dogs Any ideas on how to work on that?
I'll bet that you can easily imagine this happening, right? You can see the fenced dogs jumping their fences and giving you and your dog grief? You imagine all the things that can go wrong...perhaps, knowing the dogs on your route, you can picture exactly which dogs do this.
That is mental rehearsal from a negative perspective. Makes you very nervous, doesn't it?
Try it in reverse sometime. Imagine yourself and your dog walking by these same yards and imagine everything going right...the dogs in the yards staying put, you and your dog walking by unmolested; your own attitude of strength and confidence as you do this, how good it feels not to feel apprehensive, etc.
This is mental rehearsal from a positive perspective.
The more you mentally practice the positive approach, the more it will have a positive effect on your demeanor and behavior, and the fenced dogs read that.
With this kind of anxiety about doing something you want to do, you've probably read all the posts about people dealing with all the loose dogs in the world...so, get yourself a good walking stick and carry it, or get some bear spray and carry it, or all of the above...being prepared gives you confidence, too.
It sure sounds like you can count on your dog to do what you ask him to...good job there<g>.
Thank you Leih and sorry for the late reply! It's a good idea to carry a stick and even a mace too, I'm pretty sure it's legal here in Texas Thankfully people are keeping some of the dogs inside now that it's getting colder so working on this issue will be a bit easier. I will definitely start thinking differently too. No more negative images! Thanks again
Thorunn, according to my MU*CH better half a law enforcement Lt. in Texas.....MACE does not work on dogs...Glock 35 or Taser might but also relaxation for the owner would be a better mindset...I would recmmend you do what I do....take dog treats on every wALK..IF THAT DOESNT WORK FOR THE DOG?.....ENJOY. RELAX and make him wish he were you...
Hehe, I chuckled a little when I read the: IF THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR THE DOG cause Loki goes nuts for treats! I don't know why that hasn't clicked yet in my head! If I bring a bag of treats and start feeding him while walking pass distractions...uhm..DUH! Haha, thanks for the wake up call Kathryn! I really don't know what I'd do without this forum Now that I have revealed my lack of common sense, I'm off to cut down hotdogs!
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