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Today was day 29 of my 30-day challenge to walk my dog every day. Saturday gave me the most hope so far that what I am doing with my dog is actually paying off. I started out by walking Ace at the park like usual. But after that, I ran two miles with Ace heeling at my side off-leash.
We had a perfect challenge that day because another runner was out with her dog, running in the opposite direction as us. That meant Ace and I had to approach the woman and her dog head-on three or four times. It was perfect because this woman was also trying to get her dog to heel off-leash. With both dogs focusing on heeling but also interested in each other, it was a good challenge for all.
The first time we passed the other pair, I clipped Ace’s leash back on just in case. He did OK, so the second time we passed them, I did not put his leash back on. I just grabbed the end of his pinch collar. And the third time, all I had to do was remind him to heel without doing anything else. Both dogs did so well.
The first time we passed the pair, I was jealous because she had the better behaved dog. She did not have to put the leash on her dog like I did. But the second time around, I noticed she was holding a remote and her dog was wearing an electric collar! That’s why her dog was walking so well! I was proud of my mutt and I for working together the way we have.
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April 14th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Hurray! Sounds like great success! I’m very happy for you and Ace.
But were not giving up, just starting over. And now my husband is jogging with Jake! Walter and I are gonna stick with a brisk walk until we have it down. Right now, our goal is to walk/jog them -at least- 4 times a week for 3 weeks and then increase from there. yesterday was our day one.
Our challenge hasn’t been going so well
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April 14th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
It really does seem like the dog-walking has paid off. That’s great that your dog was able to heel with the runner going by with her dog.
My wife and I have two dogs, and they do fairly well during our walks. However, a runner with a dog would probably have been too much.
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April 14th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Do remember, though, that an e-collar is not an easy thing to use properly. Not everyone should go get one and expect the results you describe without a lot of instruction.
It requires a lot of skill and subtelty to use an e-collar properly.
Good job with your dogs!
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April 16th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Wow, that’s great you did all that off lead! Nice job! And what a great challenge. You inspire. Woofs, Johann
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