We’ve had a couple of really hot days, and the weatherman promised thunderstorms were coming today to push the hot out and usher in some cooler weather. Well the weatherman was right and the storms came through with a fury right around 5:00 pm and lasted a good couple of hours. Our planned walk washed away with the rain so we needed to come up with Plan B.
We decided to take the dogs around the block, like we use to do before we discovered the park at the top of the street.
I was at once excited but anxious. Delilah always presented a challenge on our walks because 1) she use to pull really badly on the leash and 2) when confronted with other dogs she became aggressive.
We started out, Chet, Sampson, Delilah and I. Delilah was on leash and Sampson was not.
I was really impressed with her leash walking, she barely pulled at all; but there was still the matter of other dogs.
Naturally I remembered where all the dogs were and I was afraid that she would too.
There is one particular house where there are two dogs; inside an invisible fence. One of the dogs usually just stands and watches and occasionally barks. The other dog likes to run back and forth across the lawn, barking and posturing.
In the past, Delilah has reacted to the posturing dog by barking and growling and basically lunging from the end of the leash.
As we approached the house I could see that both dogs were outside, I indicated as much to Chet so he would be sure to rein Sampson in.
As predicted one dog just stood and watched, Delilah seemed to not even be aware that there were dogs outside, until the Posturer made himself known.
Her head lifted and her ears perked up, she started walking towards the other side of the street, but I remained calm and guided her back to my side. I told her to “leave it” and reassured her she was a good girl and I continued forward. With the exception of that one little bark, and the slight pull we had an incident free walk.
I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of Delilah, she has come so far and I want to reassure you, if you are struggling in any way with your dog, there is hope.
You too can have a relaxed and happy dog.
Wahoo!!! It’s awesome when the hard work pays off.
Sounds like great progress has been made! And it looks as if the walk wore the pups out. : )
It is amazing what a bit of determination mixed with a little bit of patience will produce!
Congratulations!! I know exactly how huge this is for you and Delilah, what a wonderful and awesome breakthrough! Isn’t it the best feeling ever? I think I danced down the street the first time Shiva and I passed a dog in a similar fashion. 🙂
What an awesome walk for you all!
Thank you Kristine!!
That right there is a LOT of hard work. 😉
Yay Delilah and Jodi!
Sophie and I have been dealing with her leash re-activeness since she was 13 months. I still get giddy and happy when we have a reactive free walk.
Thank you Patty, I really struggled when she started becoming aggressive and have really put the effort into helping her. I think we have really bonded over the past year!
WooHoo that’s fabulous! Great job!
Thanks Kathy, I was pretty pleased!
I have a love hate realationship with the leash. When Nautica was a puppy she was attacked when on a leash (she actually broke her collar trying to get away) now she is aggressive on leash and wonderfull off…wierd
Delilah has been attacked on leash too, it makes it hard to break them from being aggressive when on leash. I have found her getting a bit better though as long as the other dog is walking quietly.
She is getting to be very good off leash too.
Have you worked with Nautica on leash with other dogs? We started Delilah off with a quick butt sniff and then on the way.