01/28/2025
Practice day, it was warm-ish but the wind was very chilly- Hydra got to visit some of the team and chill out (ha ha) in the park before we went to visit with Grandma!
We went to a few stores and he did absolutely fantastic, walked with us at Grandma speed (which is a bit slower than what we normally do) and looked at all the stuff in the store. We were there over an hour and he performed amazingly. Most notably when we were in an aisle with some other people he tucked in behind me next to the racking out of the way while the people shopped in front of us and went by. He also maintained his loose leash walk perfectly, did many check ins and tasked. He amazed me, which he shouldn't I mean we have spent a lot of time and money training. He definitely was a big help to me.
We also ran into 2 dogs- not service dogs- one was very very reactive and was barking and nearly out of control and the owners struggled to hold their dog back, just from seeing us walk by from over 10 feet away. Hydra looked, but kept on walking like a fantastic doggo, but wow. Second dog was a pug, and that dog sniffed Hydra and I moved away, repeatedly, while the lady with the dog kept moving towards us. I moved us behind a clothing rack and the woman said 'it's okay mine is friendly!' and looked mystified as to why I would stay away.
Guys, no matter where you are, your dog might be friendly but you don't know if the other person's dog is or not (their dog could be unexpectedly violent) , you don't know if they are in training like Hydra, you don't know their story- respect a strangers wishes and keep your distance unless they ask otherwise.
