[ajbrown]

Just when I was beginning to think I knew what I was doing with Z an event happens that reminds you things are never easy and require more effort…

Z and I were down the Polo Field again like many days, parked on the driveway furthest from Buena Vista by the horses.

I go there to do off leash training with Z. We stay off the polo field, between the driveway and horse fence. It is a place that there are no cars, I can ensure there is no other people and there is no danger for her.

She was doing her exercise, walk/trotting next to the cart off leash. She is off leash so that at the end of the exercise I speed up and she falls behind and begins to sprint. This time she was exercising off leash ‘cart heeling’ when out of the Polo field comes a dog with no human. I knew I was in trouble as Z is just in the 4th grade when it comes to off leash work and other dogs. As soon as I saw the dog I stopped the cart and it was too late; the chase was on. I could not break Z’s mindset, At the top of my lungs I yelled her name, come and stop (a command I have not taught her). I was just trying to break her attention with any sound I could.

As I run after her my brain flashes odd thoughts, the first is Z is going to eat this dog and it is my fault, followed by should I contact TOTV person angiefox about a lost dog, what kind of dog is it I ponder. The things the brain considers under stress are pretty humorous (after the fact). The whole chase only went about 50 – 60 feet. My worst fears were not realized. Z, with hair on back raised caught the other dog and they stood next to each other facing in opposite directions (head to tail). I was about 20 feet away and approaching making lots of noise; hardly calm assertive…

The silver lining is that Z did not attack the other dog, she just loved the chase. I suspect the other dog was submissive. My wife has seen this behavior at the SPCA when Z goes to visit other dogs.

After 5 to 10 seconds the other dog headed away towards the poop bucket and Z wanted to follow. I was fortunate she finally heard me, not sure if it was my clapping or my yelling, but she stopped and I was able to get her to come. If I was 20 years old I would have whacked her upside the head (relax, it is just an expression), but after many dogs and life experiences it was clear to me that if anyone should be whacked upside the head it would be me.

It looked to me like the dog found its handler in a car down by the poop bucket. The incident happened about half way down the polo field.

So… instead of admonishing anyone, I collected myself and Z and I completed her ‘cart heel’ exercise (on leash) and worked on sit, stay, come off leash. I need to get her non distracted commands much better, and then slowly start with distracted commands. For example sit/stay and have a dog walk by… we are not ready.

[Mrs. Robinson]

My heart was pounding mid-stream in your dialogue and I couldn't read fast enough to know what happened next with the "intruding other dog!"

Whew!

Three cheers and two beers; all's well that ends well.

[CFrance]

In a similar vein, one of the hardest things I've ever had to do surrounding care for a dog is when they accidentally get outside free, or escape their leash. Chasing them does not work. And they're usually romping around the street. We never had a dog with any kind of traffic sense.

Sitting down on the ground is what brought them back. In both cases, each dog was so surprised that I would do something so odd, he came over to see what was up, and I was then able to grab the collar.

Of course, this wouldn't have worked with Z because she was focused on another dog . But I know well the panic you must have felt.

[ajbrown]

So many folks with so much experience following and commenting on this thread is great...

I learned to not chase a dog running away, but to go away from the dog to make it change its behavior. In this case Z could have cared less about me because of the other dog... but thankfully, no harm no foul...

[ajbrown]

With all the worry... how about some calm...



Not sure why my image tag above did not insert photo... will investigate.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psvyekljst.jpg

[Barefoot]

Is Z anxious about the impending storm?

[ajbrown]

Obviously not yet from the picture

It will be interesting to watch her. From experience I know when it downpours and she hears it on the roof she drifts under a coffee table in the corner of the living room.

I am sure if we get the rain, wind and thunder as forecasted, she will be there.

She is not panicked under there, she just sleeps. My job which may be challenging in this event is to pretend things are normal...

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by ajbrown

Obviously not yet from the picture

It will be interesting to watch her. From experience I know when it downpours and she hears it on the roof she drifts under a coffee table in the corner of the living room.

I am sure if we get the rain, wind and thunder as forecasted, she will be there.

She is not panicked under there, she just sleeps. My job which may be challenging in this event is to pretend things are normal...

Getting her out to "go" with the rain and wind will be another test, I suspect.

My thoughts are with all dog owners right now.
Our "twinkle toes" gals don't even like a drizzle!

[ajbrown]

She just went out and peed. I am amazed she is not in the 'cave', but just sleeping away in the living room.

I am taking credit for this behavior

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by ajbrown

She just went out and peed. I am amazed she is not in the 'cave', but just sleeping away in the living room.

I am taking credit for this behavior

Well deserved credit, I might add!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I think one of my woosie dogs will pee on Tuesday when the sun comes out. The other one is perfect and does anything mom tells him to do. I love reading all your tales of Z. I have fostered over 100 dogs, mostly greyhounds, but you sound like you are doing an amazing job. Kuddos!.

[ajbrown]

We did not feel like walking around the yard in the wind/rain. Z and I have been caught in several storms in the golf cart lately (one I should share), so I figured why not go for a ride? I put the sides down on the cart and we headed for a common area.

My lovely wife came along and did the hard work of walking Z for a few minutes until we had number 2. Picked it up and headed home.

As they did that, I was busy keeping the lights on in the cart

To be honest, riding in the cart was a lot nicer than I thought it would be after watching the news...

Z should be set for the night fingers crossed...

Be safe!

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by lovsthosebigdogs

I think one of my woosie dogs will pee on Tuesday when the sun comes out. The other one is perfect and does anything mom tells him to do. I love reading all your tales of Z. I have fostered over 100 dogs, mostly greyhounds, but you sound like you are doing an amazing job. Kuddos!.

You are one of many folks on TOTV that has so much more to offer than I. I cannot imagine 100 dogs, I am hoping to foster two

[CFrance]

My poor foster got so nervous. (She's a bit of a nervous nelly to begin with.) She barked and barked. We went out with the big golf umbrella. She paced and paced and did her business. Then inside she paced and paced and had diarrhea, thankfully on a cheap throw rug. Then she threw up, on another throw rug. Then she had another episode of the former kind on the tile. She has now settled down, but we have blown up the aerobeds and are sleeping out in the great room because it's all tile. Well, I said I was sleeping out here, and next thing I know, my dear husband was dragging out another aerobed to stay with me.

The other golden is remarkably calm, probably because there's no thunder. I know we will not be going outside again until this is over. I also know he can hold it. Hopefully I will be able to get Annie out to either the lanai or the front porch.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by CFrance

My poor foster got so nervous. (She's a bit of a nervous nelly to begin with.) She barked and barked. We went out with the big golf umbrella. She paced and paced and did her business. Then inside she paced and paced and had diarrhea, thankfully on a cheap throw rug. Then she threw up, on another throw rug. Then she had another episode of the former kind on the tile. She has now settled down, but we have blown up the aerobeds and are sleeping out in the great room because it's all tile. Well, I said I was sleeping out here, and next thing I know, my dear husband was dragging out another aerobed to stay with me.

The other golden is remarkably calm, probably because there's no thunder. I know we will not be going outside again until this is over. I also know he can hold it. Hopefully I will be able to get Annie out to either the lanai or the front porch.

Bless you, good luck... that sounds so tough. I am shocked how calm things are here ... so far...