Yesterday we went on a nice long hour and a half walk in the woods and fields and ended with him having a swim in the river! We passed a few people....the people who were on their own with no dogs, I got Dylan to walk to heel (armed with my clicker and bit of sausage to tell him how good he was) and he just trotted next to me, looking up at me, past the person.
Then we also met a couple of people with dogs. The first was a couple with an elderly-ish jack russell....I got Dylan to walk to heel going towards them (because I am trying to stop him running over to dogs until I tell him he can) and then asked him to sit as we neared them. Then I asked the people iof their dog is OK if mine went and said hello....so I then told him he could "go say hello" and he did....and the little dog was fine, but then just got a little snappy. Nothing malicious., just telling Dylan who is boss!!
The guy apologies but I said there really is no need.....and he croiuched down and tried to get his dog to come over to him, but Dylan was nearer him. I said to be careful as he is nervous of strangers and so asked him to ignore him - as he was very close. But Dylan,bless him, just looked at the guy, looked away and trotted back to sniff in the hedge!!
Then another oldr couple further along had an older mixed breed dog, and I did the same. And as the dogs said hello and mooched around, I chatted to the couple. They were saying what a lovely dog Dylan is and asking about him, and the guy started to say hellpo to Dylan, and slowly reach towards him. I straight away said he is nervous with strangers and so its best if he ignores him. Dylan was very close to them, mooching around their legs, sometimes looking up at them (but not with his fearful look, more a "do you have any food for me" look which is fab!). The guy sort of stopped, but then as Dylan passed him he sort of slowly reached down again, and I said "seriously, he may snap at you so best you ignore him" but as I was saying it the guy was mid-reaching down and stroked Dylan on his back. No issues at all! They did have sunglasses on which may have helped as he hates eye contact.
But even so.....I was SO proud! Today on our walk again, we passed a couple of people with no dogs, which is where he used to be worse, so I asked him walk to heel past them....perfect pooch! Whether or not if one of those people had reached down too fast or ahead of him he would have reacted....and I expect he woudl....but this is such an improvement!!
Sorry - am just feeling soproud that I had to share!!!
