Yesterday I wrote about the horrendous experience I had trying to get my dogs into the park amidst a crowd of people.
After being yanked across the road, we finally managed to make it into the park and I found my walking buddy. We headed off down the paths that would keep us away from the field.
Delilah was close to me on her 15 foot leash, while Sampson and Brady were unleashed.
You can always tell when the dogs see someone or something, their ears perk up, they stiffen for a moment and then they’re gone.
We met a new friend on our Monday night walk, Flurry a seven month old yellow lab. His dad was at the LaCrosse field and decided to check out the trails. The dogs were all excited to meet each other and they wanted to play and run.
Oh and hump. Brady kept trying to hump Flurry.
My friend suggested we take the dogs down in back where there was some area to run. I wasn’t really sure where she was heading but I followed her anyway. Down the cliffs to the little brook.
About a quarter of a way down in the middle of the picture, you can see the flat area she was talking about.
The area was relatively flat with some room to run, but there was lots and lots of small limbs and branches littering the area. I couldn’t in good conscience let Delilah run through there dragging a 15 foot leash.
I let her go.
She did ok. When she started to get too far away I’d say, “Delilah No! This way,” and she would come running. But then she crossed the brook and headed out on the trails leading into the park with little Flurry right behind her.
I had a panic attack and I know she could tell. Duh! She could hear it in my voice, but after a few terrifying seconds she turned around and came back.
Then we headed for home.
Today I wanted to take them for their walk on my lunch in order to avoid the LaCrosse team. It was raining but they don’t care and I throw a hat on so off we went.
We pulled up to the park and I noticed Hail on my windshield. Yes you read that right, HAIL.
I figured no-one would be out in the rain so I said, screw it and took off her leash.
She did pretty awesome.
I leashed at the beginning of one trail, which is where one of the houses she likes to run off to is, but as soon as we were past the danger point, I took her off again.
Of course I never let her get too far away from me. And yes, every time she checked back whether I asked her to or not, she got a treat.
And guess who walked out to the car next to her mother, without a leash.
See Mama, I can be a good girl.
She did very good today and I’m very proud of her.
Tomorrow is yet to be.
Book update: My book has 22,025 words.
Good girl Delilah! That last picture is a really nice one of her.
Hail, huh? Yuck. You are a die hard to walk in hail.
Truthfully I prefer walking in the crappy weather, less people and issues to deal with. 🙂
Hooray Delilah!!!!
Thanks Rumpy!!
Yay! I’m glad she did so well.
Walking without the leash is so scary. We make our Nala wear a bell so that we can keep track of her. Still makes me so nervous that we might run into someone and she forgets her manners. Congrats on Delilah being such a good girl!
What a good girl. She is respecting your leadership skills.
Good girl Delilah – and such a sweet photo (the last one) of you looking up at your Mama for your treat.
Oh Delilah what a good girl. Jodi i am so glad that yoi are aware of your panic with her. Correcting your reaction makes D behave like she wants to.
HoooooRaaay fur Deliah.
It seems you have discovered my trick of walking in terrible weather to get good walking mojo from my dogs! 🙂 Our best walks are always in the snow or pouring rain. Guess it’s just not as fun to be naughty when the sun’s not out, huh Delilah? So glad you had a successful off leash walk and I hope there are plenty more where that came from!
What a great place to walk and run! Delilah did a great job–I’m proud of her!
Nice job! It’s scary taking that leash off for the first time but so great for them when we can. Way to go, both of you.
Good girl Delilah!! Somedays they really do surprise us with their behavior. Check my post today about Molly. Small steps, small steps.
I guess I really am blessed to have some much room for my kidz to run, but when we lived in town I too, was the crazy woman walking her dogs in the snow, sleet, rain, cold etc. I like your STYLE!!!
YAY for Delilah!! I know that feeling when you let them go and have them come back. I hold my breath the whole time, saying silent prayers of please and thanks!! 🙂
You’re making such good progress together. Doesn’t it feel good?
Keep up the good work.
Does Delilah play with toys? I read somewhere recently an article where a trainer said toys are more effective for teaching recall then treats. I occasionally pick up sticks and reward Honey for checking in with a game of fetch or tug.
Way to go Delilah. That looks like a cool place to walk.