...Then along came Rhiya, with all of her complexities, and she has helped me grow and become a better dog parent. I've learned so many things from her that I couldn't possibly list them all. One major new perspective is the importance of respect to and from other dogs and their owners. Since Rhiya has reactivity issues, it can be very stressful for her, and myself, when we come into contact with an off leash dog. This has opened my eyes to the possible issues caused by allowing a dog off leash. My main goal is to ALWAYS keep the dogs safe, and this includes Rhiya! It makes our training process more productive when other dog parents don't allow their dogs to run freely, so I now fully understand the impact of what a dog at large could mean to other people and dogs.
There have been numerous times we've encountered an off leash dog who has come rushing up to us while the owner yells, "Don't worry. She's friendly!".... all I can think is, "yeah... well that's great for your dog.... but mine isn't so comfortable making new friends." Then my mind drifts away and remembers how I use to be THAT owner, the one that yelled "oh no worries, Reina just wants to make friends." I never realized how dangerous that simple sentence could turn out. Being on the flip side of things now has allowed me to really understand why proper walking etiquette and leash manners are so important for everyone to follow, whether you're walking your own dogs or using dog walking services. Just as there are people who prefer calm, minimal social interactions, there are dogs that aren't necessarily keen to the idea of having a ton of doggy friends. Your dog may be an extrovert, but that doesn't mean my dog is. ha ha :-)
There have been numerous times we've encountered an off leash dog who has come rushing up to us while the owner yells, "Don't worry. She's friendly!".... all I can think is, "yeah... well that's great for your dog.... but mine isn't so comfortable making new friends." Then my mind drifts away and remembers how I use to be THAT owner, the one that yelled "oh no worries, Reina just wants to make friends." I never realized how dangerous that simple sentence could turn out. Being on the flip side of things now has allowed me to really understand why proper walking etiquette and leash manners are so important for everyone to follow, whether you're walking your own dogs or using dog walking services. Just as there are people who prefer calm, minimal social interactions, there are dogs that aren't necessarily keen to the idea of having a ton of doggy friends. Your dog may be an extrovert, but that doesn't mean my dog is. ha ha :-)
Rhiya and I use to, flat out, avoid areas that had the potential for dogs off leash because I didn't want to stress her out... or deal with the looks other people would give us. It frustrated me that people were so quick to judge Rhiya based on her outbursts, and what they always failed to see was an owner refusing to give up on a smart, loving, caring dog. But part of Rhiya's counter-conditioning training was to find a way for her to be in the presence of other dogs and keep her under threshold, the point at which she reacts, so we couldn't avoid dogs for long. This is where the importance of dog walking etiquette from other dog parents really comes into play because it's very hard to keep my dog under threshold, to train and benefit from each encounter, when another dog is charging toward us.
As a responsible, and probably somewhat over protective, dog parent, I am always focused on how to ensure the safety and well being of my dogs. Rhiya is ALWAYS leashed anytime we are outside of our home or backyard. My other two, Dallas and Samantha, are only allowed off leash when we walk out to the mail box, go to get in the car, or go on a mountain hike. Even then, I am always carrying their leashes so I can give them a recall command for leashing up if needed. It is my duty to be responsible and respectful when walking my dogs so I don't hinder another dog's training progress.
A simple leash could help save your dog from so many dangerous circumstances. It can prevent them from walking off to follow their nose if they catch a good scent, running into the street and possibly getting hit, encountering a nervous dog, or even being taken by a stranger. Whether you have a new puppy, or a sweet old soul, the leash should be your friend as well as the dog. It shows that your priority is to keep your dog safe and also respect other dogs out walking with their humans.
One last, but also very IMPORTANT, tip... If you have human children, please teach them the importance of ALWAYS asking to approach and pet a dog BEFORE actually doing so. Since some dogs are nervous around new people or children, this simple question could prevent your child from having a bad experience, while also helping the dog to not create another negative association with the trigger object, in this case precious, tiny humans. I will say I have been impressed with the amount of kids Rhiya and I have encountered, while out walking, who have been taught this. I always make sure to thank them enthusiastically for asking first, but then let them know that Rhiya doesn't always do well with strangers. They usually smile and say okay, and I've even had a few parents who have thanked me for knowing my dog so well. You know the saying, "It takes a village... (to raise a child)"? Well I believe this can apply to many aspects in life including dogs. Together, we can all play an important role in helping all dogs become the best dogs they can be.
A simple leash could help save your dog from so many dangerous circumstances. It can prevent them from walking off to follow their nose if they catch a good scent, running into the street and possibly getting hit, encountering a nervous dog, or even being taken by a stranger. Whether you have a new puppy, or a sweet old soul, the leash should be your friend as well as the dog. It shows that your priority is to keep your dog safe and also respect other dogs out walking with their humans.
One last, but also very IMPORTANT, tip... If you have human children, please teach them the importance of ALWAYS asking to approach and pet a dog BEFORE actually doing so. Since some dogs are nervous around new people or children, this simple question could prevent your child from having a bad experience, while also helping the dog to not create another negative association with the trigger object, in this case precious, tiny humans. I will say I have been impressed with the amount of kids Rhiya and I have encountered, while out walking, who have been taught this. I always make sure to thank them enthusiastically for asking first, but then let them know that Rhiya doesn't always do well with strangers. They usually smile and say okay, and I've even had a few parents who have thanked me for knowing my dog so well. You know the saying, "It takes a village... (to raise a child)"? Well I believe this can apply to many aspects in life including dogs. Together, we can all play an important role in helping all dogs become the best dogs they can be.
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