Celebration of Success!
Today we would like to shine the Spotlight on our long-term member Vee Wilder and her gorgeous GSD Daisy. As you can see from the video hours and hours of hard work and training have paid off in spades as Daisy demonstrates a rock-solid recall in the most tempting of situations.
We had a chat with Vee about her journey with FromeK9 Dog Training Ltd
How long have you been coming to FromeK9 and what made you want to join?
‘I started coming to FK9 2 1/2 years ago. Although I have always had dogs in my life, I have never had a GSD and I really wanted to give her and myself the best training experience from the start and FK9 came highly recommended.
What is Daisy’s favourite class?
‘Gosh Daisy’s favourite class.. the weekend workshops and swimming class she loves whatever they are involving but agility is her weekly love.
What has been your biggest training hurdle?
Biggest training hurdle…myself!! The last 2 years training has opened my eyes as to how much training success is to do with me not the dog! Having said that Daisy does have a very independent mind and her strong reactive desire to over engage with other dogs is something that has been challenging.
What is your next goal as a partnership?
I don’t really have a goal as our partnership continues as we continually train and bond but I do want to do more mantrailing scent work as we both love that and it is less about training Daisy and more about giving her the reins and for me to follow her lead…which compliments the more formal commands training.
One question we get asked again and again is how to deal with off-lead dogs approaching when you are out on a walk. This can be an especially stressful situation if you have a reactive dog.
So we have put together a video guide of how to deal with this situation.
Step 1: Leash your dog. When you see an off-lead dog approaching put your dog on a lead, even if your dog has a super solid heel command. This can signal to the other owner that you are not keen for dog on dog interaction (Spoiler alert: they don’t always get the hint!).
Step 2: Communicate. If the other dog is getting closer and the owner is not intervening calmly and politely ask them to call their dog and pop a leash on.
Step 3: Be assertive. If the owner is unable to recall their dog, position your dog behind you, step forward toward the dog with a hand out and say a loud, firm ‘No’.
Unfortunately people sometimes respond negatively to this. Remember to try to stay calm- you have every right to walk your dog in peace and in public places everyone is required to have their dog ‘under close control’. It might be worth thinking of some replies to common responses (i.e. ‘is your dog aggressive’) so you can swiftly answer and continue with your with your walk. And remember- arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon, no matter how good you are it’ll poop all over the board and still strut away like it won. Enjoy your walks guys.
Anna showing us a few of her verbal only commands….
