Hi All

Just in from a lovely walk...Pip was doing great running back to us when we called and getting a treat before running off again....me and OH playing hide and seek with Pip....lovely walk! Until on the way back Pip spots a lady out running towards us. Pip then sat down and just stared at the lady, ignored us calling her, totally focussed on the lady, then legged it to the lady! Luckily the lady was ok with dogs, and after Pip had said hello, she came running back to us!

How do you get their attention when they are so focused on something and it seems impossible to get them to pay attention to you? We had not encountered anything on our walk, person or dog, but she had been doing soo well.

Also, the worst part, was when the lady came past us she said she thought Pip was a rabbit running towards her!

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Is this the type of walk that you usually do with Pippin or does she go places where there are lots of dogs and people on a regular basis

Usually in the week we do the same walk, there are two routes we take. Not many other people are around on these walks, only every so often. We normally go somewhere different for a change at the weekend, but havnt had a chance.

Do you think we should go to more varied places? I must admit I dont like road walking where we live as the pavements are super narrow, and with Pip car lunging its a nightmare. On my days off though (2 at mo) I do get in the car and take Pip to the beach or walking on the prom.

Do you think she is too used to one area?

Thanks Rona x

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I'm just wondering if it would be a good idea to expose her to more people and traffic. I don't necessarily mean during her walks, but a trip into town maybe, every now and again, seems to me that the more you expose them to things ( as long as they don't get frightened) the quicker they calm down. If they don't have experiences, then everything is a distraction for well into their lives.
They are so inquisitive of all things new, and Pippin sounds more so than most

I think that the people who had her before us didnt really do much with her as far as social skills go. Everytime someone comes round to the house,or goes past us, she reacts as if she is the happiest dog in the world...i know every dog does, but im biased! She soon calms down after the initial hello to people though.

If im honest then part of me feels very nervous of walking her near roads, but I know I have to do it to get her more used to them.

Now I think about it, we do walk mainly in the country side, which as you said, isnt allowing Pippin to meet all things she should do. Maybe we should start from scratch....I have seen in Puppy books a list of things that pups should be socialised with.

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It's only for a short while until she is calmer, can still do the countryside walks.
I had to do this with Alf, he hadn't really experienced very much. I took him everywhere, the funniest time I had with him was when he saw one of those really big plastic covered silage bails, he backed of snarling and barking, and that's not him. I was laughing so much it took me ages to reassure him.

I think it may be a good idea...


It is amazing what they bark at and see as threatening! Pip sometimes just jumps up and has a random growl!

Ill go through my puppy books as im bound to forget some of things i should get her to see.

Thank You Rona x

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Glad to help, I hope it works.
Alf ignores everything now unless it's small with a fur coat, he just can't leave them bunnies alone