"Honey, there goes that guy with the choking dog again," a neighbor would say.
"Gladys, go back to bed and quit minding the neighbor's business."
Every morning it's the same. Maggie goes completely nuts to go walking. She is so impatient that I can barely get her leash on without her getting tangled in it.
"Hold still, Maggie," you can hear me say from the den.
I guess I've created a monster. I really don't like to walk lately, but feel obligated as Maggie thinks it is the best thing since sliced bread. She tugs on the leash so hard it sounds like she is choking and dying.
14 comments:
Oh boy, that brings back a memory of a dog we had that was like that. Same thing, Snuffy would pull and strain at the leash so hard it sounded like she was choking to death but she so loved those walks! Andrew, I wanted to thank you for the supportive comment you left on my blog the other day. I really appreciate your kindness and caring and I want you to know I read your blog every day and care about you too. Best wishes to you and Maggie! :)
I used to have to walk my boss' dog who was like that. Sweet old girl, but the minute you snapped on the leash she'd tug so hard and choke. I can remember walking her down the street and her front legs were off the ground because she was pulling so hard! I know people were laughing at me and the hind-leg walking choking dog!
We had a pug once that just HAD to take the lead on our walks. He pulled and strained on his leash so that he could get in front of our standard schnauzer, whose legs were 3 times as long as his. That smashed-in muzzle pugs have make it difficult for them to breathe, but he pulled and panted and wheezed until he got out in front.
My dog did that too sometimes. I was watching "The Dog Whisperer" and he was training a dog that did that. What you need to do is the minute she starts pulling so hard stop and wait until she calms down and keep doing that over and over and over...
I've often thought of getting a dog just for that reason. It would MAKE me walk.
Maggie knows how good walking is for her and you! :-)
My sweet daisy loves to walk and takes me out in whatever the weather. She made me take her three times during a hurricane. Whether it is hot cold wet dry doesn't make a difference to her Icome home from work we go for a walk, I get up in the morning we go for a walk it is routine and she loves it!
SO do I when I don't complain about the cold and wet ( hot I can handle)
have a great day!
Andrew, There is a different kind of lead that is called a gentle- lead. It goes over the dogs face and looks a little like a muzzle. You clip the leash on under the chin. Whenever the dog tries to pull ahead of you, the leash actually turns her head towards you which makes her stop pulling. It is very safe and comes with good instructions and, Best of all, it really works! My Daisy used to drag me through the neighborhood until a friend told me about it.
Good luck to you and Maggie.
Coni
i tried the gentle lead but didn't like it. i have a beagle and they are notorious for running off at the sight of a bunny. no collar seems to work on him.
all of the books i read seemed to say that when a dog pulls it is a dominance and control issue. if you can get the dog to believe you are the boss, then he or she will stop pulling.
so i tell my dog "i am the boss applesauce!" doesn't work. he knows the cats are the real bosses around here.
Have you thought about a harness for her instead of a collar? There wouldn't be so much gagging going on. Ha. She is such a funny little girl.
Awww, I love the idea of Maggie enjoying her walks so much! I've been thinking about getting a dog, I think the regular walks would do me good. Not sure the cats would be too impressed, though...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Have you seen that movie"My Dog Skip"?
I just seen that yesterday.It's a good un'!
My Marina does that too and it scares me to death, so much so that I fill up a ziplock bag of water and stop on occasion so she can drink it..
How do you get a dog to stop that, do you know?
Post a Comment