Blo*dy dog!!!

I've probably said before, but Dempsey's recall isn't 100%. It isn't atrocious, but if another dog's too near & there's nothing else to distract him, he'll go over & say hello no matter how much I call him. So. I taught him a really good "Stay". I'd say the 'stay' is 99.9% good (I'd say 100%, but I'm not so sure that anything he does is 100% other than eat! ).

What a little bugga!!!!

Last night I took him for his last walk, just 20 minutes over the park to relieve himself. There's never anyone else there, never...until last night.

All of a sudden I saw his ears go straight up, stiff as a board. I know his body language pretty well, so I called him back. Totally ignored me & started to walk towards what I could vaguely see (it was pitch dark) were 2 people with 2 dogs.

No prob, I thought, and yelled "Stay!". Not only didn't he stay, he actually started to trot towards them. Then he ran > . Now, I'm not exactly miss universe - I'm overweight & I've got a dodgy knee & foot, but I ran after him, yelling Stay at the top of my lungs, right to where the two dogs were!

Luckily they were two we know, which was probably why Dempsey ignored me, but ooooh, I could've killed him!

I know I shouldn't laugh but I've had to chase Suki down a few times. It wasn't so bad until she got to be faster than me. We only let her off lead in the park now and she is good about 99% of the time.

Now I know why I say he's not 100%!!!!

Miss Universe

I feel better now.

Ty wrote: I feel better now.

I don't!!

Looks like I'll have to spend a bit more time on the training!

No worries Caryll. I think I have at least 2 years of intensive work to get anywhere near Dempsey's level. I suspect though it may be an on going thing.

Ty wrote: I think I have at least 2 years of intensive work to get anywhere near Dempsey's level.

Dempsey's 'level' is pretty awful, to be honest! I'm used to Border Collies' & German Shepherds' levels of obedience, and even my staff was quite reasonable! But I always have to be absolutely aware of what Dempsey's doing. I've become quite adept at reading body language!

good job it was not filmed and there were no deer about............

lynne wrote:

good job it was not filmed and there were no deer about............

ah the illusive distractions that make our lovely pooches deaf. sleective hearing is in bred i think for most animals including the kids

Dempsey likes to keep his mummy on her toes!!

scallywag!!

At least you knew the dogs! They really know how to push our buttons!

I think we should all take blood pressure meds before taking the dogs out. They sure know how to get the blood boiling and pumping and make your stomach lurch. Mine likes to pretend that if he isn't making eye contact he doesn't have to listen . So much constant work, but it is worth it.