A new Member of the Family

[Daisy]

Thank you for your kind comments, ladies.

Much as we love her we are sometimes faced with the uncomfortable truth that she still gets over-excited around other dogs. The other night was typical. I was walking her very late, in the dark, when she became aware there was another dog behind us. It was a yellow lab, off lead, and gaining on us. Eva just wanted to turn round and say 'hello' but it wasn't her call - it was mine! I know the dog, and his dad-owner was oblivious to what was happening. If it had been mum with the dog she would have called her dog back. Anyway, I insisted Eva carried on walking and after a minute or so she stopped trying to yank me backwards.

Today, a morning walk round the block before we went shopping. She was quite relaxed and walking well on the lead and headcollar (for once). I always try and look ahead and put space between her and dogs she doesn't know, but suddenly on a bend we were faced with a man with a Retriever, on lead. The Retriever went ballistic, barking, lunging and pulling. I put Eva on the outside and quietly walked her across the road onto a grass verge. She was a perfect lady, no pulling, nothing. I did wonder if the other dog had actually scared her a bit, but when we first got her she would have barked and lunged back! Perhaps there is some progress.

[Gemini]

That is progress Daisy 😊

As a non dog owner I watch with interest the antics of dog walkers around our village, and the pulling back and crossing the road to avoid which frequently happens when another dog and owner come into view. It looks as though you need your wits about you!

[Daisy]

Gem - you're right - you do need your wits about you. Even if your own dog is a picture of perfection there are always the others who are more of a loose cannon or a work in progress.

[Plantaholic]

One dog on the lead and one dog off is a difficult situation.

[Nana]

You're right there Plant. Our dog hates being on the lead when he meets another who isn't. He always has.

[Daisy]

We're still going to weekly training classes with Eva - four years and counting! I have to say there are times when I wonder if we've made any progress, but recently the trend has been much improved.

Last night there were only 5 dogs in class, and the trainer took the opportunity to do something they are used to but in a slightly different way. It sounds silly that this would make a difference but it does.

Instead of standing with our dogs lying on their mats while other dogs walk round them, the humans got to sit on chairs with the dogs at their sides. This freaked out several of the dogs, but Eva was brilliant. At one point two dogs were too close together for me and Eva to walk side by side, and she dropped back a couple of paces but still followed me. She had a wonderful time playing the various games, too. I felt she'd really had a fun evening.

It's easy to forget that when we first took her to class it took 3 of us to get her to walk down the hall with the other dogs and owners right over the other side. She was hell bent on going over to say 'hello' to all of them!

[Nana]

Worth all your hard work Daisy. Our pooches surprise us sometimes.👍

[Gemini]

Well done Eva

Daisy, do you enjoy the classes? I think I would if I were a dog owner. The fact that is it evening and at the end of what is always busy day for you must make it tiring though.

[Plantaholic]

Eva is just a friendly dog. About half an hour away, two large black dogs, labs I think rushed around our garden. They must have got away from their owner walking in the woods.

[Sunshine]

Dogs are like children. Some show more challenging behaviour than others. Like parenting, dog ownership can be challenging and rewarding. Patience and never giving up is key. At least the dogs don’t answer back!

[Daisy]

Sunshine - we often compare child-like traits with our dogs' behaviour in class. As for answering back - they can pester as effectively as any child. This morning Eva stood over her upstairs water bowl, looking at me. She was blocking the landing so I wasn't going to escape. I asked her what she wanted and she looked down at the bowl full of water and back at me. I got the message. Emptied her bowl and filled it with fresh water, and then she had a drink. I'd changed the water last thing last night, like I always do, but Her Highness wanted cold and fresh!

Plant - I hope the dogs got reunited with their owners.

Gem - yes I do enjoy training classes, and the two hours just whizz by. Our trainer is brilliant. Everything is very orderly and dogs are given time to think about what we're asking them to do. If they're struggling with anything they get extra goes, which is fine, because we've all needed extra goes at times. It's not like a lot of classes where the dogs get over-excited or overwhelmed by having other dogs in their faces. They don't have to do meet and greet exercises. Most of us are there because other trainers couldn't cope with our wayward dogs. I was very lucky when we got Eva because I asked a friend who is a trainer herself to come out on a walk with me and give me some help with getting her to lead walk. After about 10 minutes she said Eva needed more expertise than she had and recommended Pam.

[Daisy]

Generally Eva's behaviour at home is impeccable. She's loving and friendly and the easiest dog in the world - until we need to treat her for any minor ailment.

I'd gone to bed last night when OH came up, with Eva, saying he thought she'd got a tick. They're a fact of life where we live, but Eva has only ever had one tick since we've had her. Remembering what that was like to remove my heart sank. It took us about half an hour to persuade her that we weren't going to hurt her and she needed to relax and keep still. The nasty little beastie was on the underside of her neck, just below her jaw, so not an easy place to get to. At least it was in white fur which made it a bit easier to see! It came out quite easily, and I was able to put some calming cream on the area in case it was itchy. Eva then decided it was absolutely essential that she ran round the house with squeaking toys, and then a bone for another half hour! Eventually she tired herself out and we were able to settle down for bed.

So much for an early night!!

[Nana]

Awww, poor little Eva. OH got a little tool from the vets. You sort of hook it under the tick, twist it I believe, & it takes just a second to do. Glad she's ok. Bloomin' ticks are a pest. I'm sure you'll know, but just make sure the mouth parts are out. Bet I'm teaching Grandma Daisy to suck eggs.🤭

[Oma]

Well after being so good she had to show off didn't she 😀😀

[Daisy]

Nana - yes, we've got those little tick removers, too. It came out alive and kicking, so to speak, and met a watery end down the loo.

Oma - it just shows how much control she'd had to exert over herself to let me do it - she was totally hyper, tearing up and down stairs as though demons were following her! Plus beating up her toys. When you get a dog as a puppy you can teach them to co-operate over such things, but Eva's the most frantic dog we've ever had, bless her. I took her months to learn to let us wipe little sleepy marks out of her eyes without her going into panic mode.