Walking around the neighborhood with Rocky has never been very relaxing. For me, these walks are pretty stressful. You just cannot predict what to expect. Rocky at two months used to walk zigzag down the road like a drunken dog pouncing on every little thing that came his way. Well now, he is a little better in the sense he walks along the sidewalk, and knows the route. The neighbors watch the fun often and I have received so much advice on the use of proper collars and leashes, how to hold one and how to give him treats to keep him on track etc etc. We have had training sessions but at 8 months now Rocky doesn’t like to follow any rules on his neighborhood walks. He is like:
“I totally understand what you want me to do but am choosing to disobey.”
It seems that Rocky wants to catch up on all the events that happened at every front yard, around the post boxes since his last walk. He has to check his favorite trees, bushes, shrubs even if they are covered with snow and ice. He is on an inspection spree checking on every corner as if someone has given him this big responsibility. And he needs time and is not ready to listen and no amount of training and treats can trick him……..
The good news is that during these walks, Rocky has made friends with folks in the neighborhood. They all love him! and why wouldn’t they? Now Rocky knows how to charm people. If he sees anyone outside or a car parking, he is all ready to greet the stranger. He wags his tail as if he knows them forever; jumps and kisses them as I try my best to hold him back with all my strength. Some who have pets have invited Rocky for play dates in their backyards!
” Woo hoo! Let’s go fast..the same old way…down the sidewalk under the crab apple tree. Oh I love them! common .. be patient don’t pull me… okay never mind there’s another tree two houses down. Hey look someone just pulled up this driveway. Hold on, who is this? hey woof! woof! hello how are you? I am Rocky! Looks like she is not that interested. Nevermind, let’s sit and watch what she is doing. I say: “Rocky, let’s go....” ” Oh common, let me watch. See? she carrying lots of food indoors.”
Rocky can be very snoopy and it can be very embarrassing when he just sits tight on his two legs staring at a house or something that catches his fancy till it is out of his sight.
But there is something that can make this behavior change totally. I wrote about how Rocky avoids big dogs (https://wordpress.com/post/ridewithtia.com/483). I think at 8 months he is yet to get over his puppy fear. During these walks if he sees any dog barking from a window, he stops walking and looks at me. Sometimes he barks back. I think he greets them in return trying to get over his fear… But most of the time he quickly looks down and starts walking fast. Rocky walks the next several minutes like a very well-behaved dog.
But there is one particular lane with a house that is home to a big black dog. Rocky just freezes when he starts barking from the backyard or a window if he happens to spot us. ” Hey there! you here again? Watch out ! Didn’t I tell you to changes routes? “
Rocky refuses to walk another step in-spite of me trying to coax him to keep walking. Seems like he gets warned of something… The next thing you know Rocky turns around with the leash in his mouth.
” common let’s go from here, please………………………….”
RidewithTia 