When I was a kid we played this game, I can’t remember what it was called, but for now I will call it “Statues.” We would play it at dusk or just after dark and when a car came down the street and its headlights shown on us, we would have to freeze our position and stay that way until the car had passed.
Sometimes now I wish things would “freeze” for a moment; especially when we are walking with the dogs and we see another dog; I would like to be able to “freeze” either my dog (Delilah) or the other dog; until we had passed each other.
Today when we walked the dogs Chet said, “Let’s follow this trail and go on the rail trail.” I cringed inside. There are a lot of people on the rail trail, they are walking, running, riding their bikes, and walking their dogs…on leashes. Delilah doesn’t do well with other dogs when she is on leash.
It took about 12 minutes for us to get to the rail trail, almost immediately I saw some people in the distance with a dog. I clipped Delilah to her leash and I asked Chet to scope it out with Sampson and let me know if the dog was leashed; it was. Thankfully, the owner and dog headed off the rail trail; and we continued on with Delilah on her leash.
Within another minute or two we were approached by a couple with a little dachshund, I saw them before Delilah did and I urged her off the trail onto a slight incline with a rock. I had her sit and then from our vantage point we watched the couple and their dog pass. I kept my hand on Delilah’s head, stroking her head and telling her “Good girl.” “It’s ok.” “Good girl.” I had a loose leash but I was prepared to correct her if I needed to, but I didn’t. I rewarded her with some meat. Then I saw a jogger with a dog approaching, so we stayed on the rock, and I used the same technique; again I was rewarded with a dog sitting patiently with me as the other dog passed.
I’m not sure what was more effective; the fact that Delilah and I were above the trail and therefore above the other dog, if we were far enough away from the other dog so it was not perceived as a threat, or that I had Delilah sit and I was calm and in control. What I can tell you is how pleasurable it was to not have a dog growling , snarling and lunging.
Way to go Delilah!
Sorry it’s so hard. Katy is doing better with humans that have dogs when she walks. Humans alone are still terrifying. Bailey finds everyone friendly until they give him reason to doubt.
Right on, good for you both! I’ll never forget the first time we were able to pass a person on the street without any barking or lunging. Granted, I was acting like a human pez dispenser, shoving as much kibble as I could into my dog’s mouth, but we did it!
There will be set-backs, there will still be problems, but it looks like you are officially on the right track. I am so happy for you!! *happy dance* It is one of the best feelings in the whole world.
It sure is!!