Biggest Sticks ever

Hi, I am wondering if anyone can help me, i guess this is about dogs psychology???
Ozzy hates other dogs, large ones much much worse than small dogs. Anyway, I thought I would try something the other day which I now don't understand. He loves , adores sticks, the bigger the better until they are almost trees that he carries around.

I went for a walk at the local water park which is miles and miles and miles and loads of dogs, most off the lead. I found him a stick, which he promptly swapped for one much bigger, i took a training lead with me which is about 20 ft long and I couldnt believe it, he carried the same log for about 10 miles an ignored every other dog. Once or twice I had a couple of other dogs chewing on the one end of the stick which he didnt like too much but not once did he have a go at any other dog, he was happy to walk past them, I couldnt believe the transformation, the only problem was getting the log off him when it was time to get in the car, which was a challenge!!! I did get lots of comments from owners saying how lovely he was and how on earth did he manage to carry such a big stick, which was a pleasant surprise rater than people ignoring or avoiding us.

Please can someone tell me why this happened and is a stick carrying dog the answer for all walks????
He is choosy though, he has to pick his own stick!!!!

I meet a man with a boxer that does that too. Doesn't even walk on lead but is so happy with his stick he just walks straight past. Logan does that with toys too.

It's pretty the the same as diverting attention IMO and if it works just let him do it. If it saves you any agro all's good

I think it's just that they're focusing on something they enjoy so they don't care about things that usually cause problems. Our old Boxer was dog-aggressive, but he was so happy to be running around and sniffing, playing fetch, etc., that he completely ignored other dogs. Obviously if they got closer we put him on the lead again anyway, but even so, he was too distracted to care. Glad you found something that helped

Bandit, my old Staff, was exactly the same! If he had a branch in his jaws he couldn't give a whatsname who else was around!

Think u hit he nail on the head, he has something he finds so interesting and its sort of like a focus that it seems nothing bothers him when he got that!

I think if this distraction helps keep with it as this will probably make your walks a lot more pleasant!

I forgot to mention, the training lead kept getting mixed up in his legs which was a bit of a pain, what does anyone thing of retractable leads? if so which is best, i ahve heard bad things about them!!!

I use both the training leads and the flexi lead. I absolutely loves flexi leads and can't see any negatives with it, it's handier to carry than the training lead but it maybe isn't just as unrestricted because there is always slight tension. I'd really advise them though.

I use this one, got from Pets at Home though.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flexi-Giant-XL-8m-Dog-Lead-Retractable-Tape-Lead-Extra-Large-Dogs-Up-75kg-/320878577557?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&var=&hash=item76c1ee0483

Thanks Mat, i will try it out

The one I use is maybe a bit OTT on the weight front as it does up to 75kg but I prefer it because it's a "tape" lead as opposed to just string. Also Logan can be a bit of a brute and it's better to know it'll hold him alright. The one that was slightely cheaper was rubbish and wouldn't do him so I bought this one knowing it would last a long time

Just ordered one so I'll see how i get on, thanks for the help

Sara n Ozzy wrote:Just ordered one so I'll see how i get on, thanks for the help

Awesome

There's def no fear of it not being strong enough and it's still plenty long for him to have a good run.

MatLogan wrote:The one I use is maybe a bit OTT on the weight front as it does up to 75kg but I prefer it because it's a "tape" lead as opposed to just string. Also Logan can be a bit of a brute and it's better to know it'll hold him alright. The one that was slightely cheaper was rubbish and wouldn't do him so I bought this one knowing it would last a long time

Is the tape stronger? Used to have a string/rope one, but the new one I have is tape and it looks like something I wouldn't trust to hold a Chihuahua

Tara wrote:Is the tape stronger? Used to have a string/rope one, but the new one I have is tape and it looks like something I wouldn't trust to hold a Chihuahua

It's def stronger. That one I posted in the link is super strong.

This it the only decent one I have showing it. But if it holds the monster it'll hold most things



Sorry he was quite dirty on this walk

He's gorgeous

Dirt is the sign of a good walk . Oh yeah, it does look strong, my new one isn't a Flexi-lead, it looks flimsy. I'll go back to the Flexi-lead, they're always decent

Thanks a lot , that's the tape from that flexi lead so it'll be 100%.

Sara n Ozzy wrote:Hi, I am wondering if anyone can help me, i guess this is about dogs psychology???
Ozzy hates other dogs, large ones much much worse than small dogs. Anyway, I thought I would try something the other day which I now don't understand. He loves , adores sticks, the bigger the better until they are almost trees that he carries around.

I went for a walk at the local water park which is miles and miles and miles and loads of dogs, most off the lead. I found him a stick, which he promptly swapped for one much bigger, i took a training lead with me which is about 20 ft long and I couldnt believe it, he carried the same log for about 10 miles an ignored every other dog. Once or twice I had a couple of other dogs chewing on the one end of the stick which he didnt like too much but not once did he have a go at any other dog, he was happy to walk past them, I couldnt believe the transformation, the only problem was getting the log off him when it was time to get in the car, which was a challenge!!! I did get lots of comments from owners saying how lovely he was and how on earth did he manage to carry such a big stick, which was a pleasant surprise rater than people ignoring or avoiding us.

Please can someone tell me why this happened and is a stick carrying dog the answer for all walks????
He is choosy though, he has to pick his own stick!!!!

Rocky's not particularly dog aggressive, but has had handbags a few times. Now he carries a tennis ball on all his walks, and he couldn't give a monkey's about what any other dog does. He still runs around with them, but no way would he give up his ball to have a scuffle. It's brilliant because as long as he has his ball he is so chilled and I don't have to worry. Seen him drop it a couple of times to chase cats though If he doesn't have the ball, it's the same as Ozzy, he will find a huge great tree to carry around!

I use a strong heavy flexi lead on Pixee too, holds well and gives her freedom when I want her kept on the lead.

I have the same problem with Molly, she was introduced to other dogs when she was rescued the first time around, the lady that took her on had 2 grown rottweilers, but since she has come to us she has gradually got more aggressive with other dogs. She is a friendly dog with humans, but has become so aggressive it worry's me when I take her out. I know she will pick up my worry so I do try my best to keep calm. But when I let her off the lead I'm super aware of whats around me, and any dog that comes into sight she goes straight on her lead. I have had a nasty experience with a dog walker who was walking 5 dogs, 3 off lead and 2 on the 3 off were staffy, masstive and JR. I nearly had a coronary to say the least, this has happened to Hubby to and we have reported her, as she has no idea what the dogs are up to as she saunters along on her phone.. Thing is it still leaves me worried. How can she be trained to be good with other dogs, I know she should have friends but it's hard to find someone to have the understanding of her needs..HELP

pag wrote:I know she should have friends but it's hard to find someone to have the understanding of her needs..HELP

Logan is on lead all the time nowadays because he isn't totally comfortable around certain dogs. The only way to break the habit is to keep socialising whenever possible with friendly dogs and understanding owners.

If possible it may be worth trying to join a dog walking group which will get a lot of socialisation in a small space of time. If you contact your local vets or pet shop they could most likely put you in the right direction of one

Thanks Mat. I'd love her to have friend, but she sees another dog her whole stance changes and her hackles go up.... I wondered if it was coz she loves us so much she wants to keep us safe..

pag wrote:Thanks Mat. I'd love her to have friend, but she sees another dog her whole stance changes and her hackles go up.... I wondered if it was coz she loves us so much she wants to keep us safe..

With Logan it is totally to do with nerves, both his and mine. I've found times when I've felt a bit nervous/apprenhensive of an off lead dog for example he will behave a lot worse. It sounds strange but if you take and deep breath and put it out of your head it really does help.

I try to walk with friends that have good friendly dogs so he can experience meeting dogs in a relaxed setting.

It takes a lot of patience and repetition though.

Did the flexi lead arrive for you yet?

Yes, it looks very substantial but not had chance to try it out yet, I want to take him on a really long walk with it

Sara n Ozzy wrote:Yes, it looks very substantial but not had chance to try it out yet, I want to take him on a really long walk with it

Ah that's great. It's a good piece of kit. Hope it helps you out