[Janey153]

Thank you so much Lexi&Beemer, that makes so much sense. Barney doesn't yet know when to slow down, I only know he's had enough when he becomes hyper and goes for my legs, at which point I'm picking him up and carrying him home. At least that's the theory I'm working on at the moment!

This site is so helpful and responsive, thank you all x

 

[Janey153]

Here's the trainer's response to my asking her about the 5 minute rule..

I don't know what it is based on but I would say 15mins off lead with lots of running is equivalent to 20-30mins walking slowly on a lead. If you think how much ground is covered in both it is probably similar.

 

[Janey153]

Thank you, that's what I thought, though I'm sure the trainer said off lead romps mean they are bouncing around more and need to keep that to the minimum rather than the more gentle pavement walks. I'll check with her and bundle too, who was there.

 

[Janey153]

thanks Marzi - yes do come to Brighton for walkies, that'd be fun! Tracey, come to Brighton too!

I only picked Barney up after the owner had removed his bully boy boxer from Barney's back. He seemed to be so attached to it that I'm not sure how I could have got in between them, but perhaps next time I might be more confident and also able to intervene.

I've got confused with the 5 minute per month rule - thats playing around on grass isnt it, not walking on a lead on the pavement? Presume that can be for longer? thanks!

 

[Janey153]

Marion, that's interesting (and funny!) I'm beginning to learn when Barney is tired /over excited, that I need to carry toys and treats with me at all times when out as well as at home and at the puppy party learnt some very helpful tips too. And I also came home and instantly opened the wine!

Yup lexi&beemer, I need to remain calm whilst keeping an eye out for potential trouble too... Bloody hell, to think I gave up doing a doctorate for this,- I thought having a puppy would be simpler!

 

[Janey153]

You sound very brave to walk in between them! I'm sure it's lovely once you get to know people and their dogs and that must make it such a great experience. I guess with your two then perhaps they can protect eachother to some extent?

I just had a lovely walk on the sea front with a friend and her dog and Barney met lots of dogs who were all friendly with him and vice versa. As soon as we got on the pebbly beach by the sea though, Barney went a bit crazy and decided to bite my legs incessantly which wasn't much fun, though did amuse people sitting quietly on the beach! I suspect he was over excited/tired so carried him home. Puppy party tonight should be interesting and hopefully will be helpful!

 

[Janey153]

Were other people around? I find now at dog parks the people will often police situations like this and admonish an owner if their dog is coming on too strongly and another dog has clearly had enough. The owners of the thugs are usually quick to put their dogs on a lead.

I'm with your trainer, I'd scoop him up and say "you need a break" if it got too rough. However you must brace yourself for a change when he reaches about four months and loses his puppy status amongst the other dogs. They will stop tolerating any over the top pup play and their normal corrections of him will terrify you. When otherwise nice dogs suddenly go for him as a warning to move back or stay away he absolutely must be left to learn the consequences of signals he missed otherwise he may turn into one of the thugs himself.

Hi Fairlie, there were other people around though it all happened probably quite quickly and frantically and I didnt really notice what anyone else was doing. The owner did put a lead on his dog and apologise later.

He has been told off by my son's dog and knows his place with her at their house, which is fine. He is fairly submissive I think and doesn't take long to get the message. I don't mind him being put in his place if its necessary (well, I say that in theory!) and hope that he will be able to defend himself if need be. Certainly while he is a pup I will continue to pick him up if necessary, but hopefully I won't need to.

 

[Janey153]

Barney has had 2 of 3 jabs, could go out a week after the 2nd jab. They're different from the 2 a month apart, these are 3 2 weeks apart so the 3rd jab (for lepo something or other ) is next Tuesday, all paid for by the breeder at her vets in Billingshurst. I'm not totally sure of the difference in the vaccinations but I believe they are newer and cover more.

You sound like you have a lot on your plate right now so I'm ready when you are! X

 

[Janey153]

That'd be fab Nicki! Barney is 11 weeks now. When things have calmed down for you let me know when is good - either Brighton or Lewes is good for me x

 

[Janey153]

Yes, he can hold his own with Alfie, but shame he didn't get a chance to do it with the little bugger yesterday! x

 

[Janey153]

Thanks Fairlie, I will do. He has his puppy party tonight and other dogs that I know that he can play with.

However, having been woken at 5.30 by him (and I usually go back to sleep after he's been let out for a pee/poo/breakfast) I'm still awake an at 6.30 feeling angry and upset about yesterday. I dont remember exactly how it happened and my friend Chrissie (Bundle) who was with me with Alfie, Barney's brother, may remember it more clearly but it seemed as though this boxer just appeared and went for him. I dont think it was playful at all - I know what puppies are like when they play flight as Alfie and Barney do it all the time - it seemed more like an attack as he hung on to Barney's back end. The trainer at the puppy party said to pick a dog up if he is being attacked, and other people have said to leave them to fight for themselves. I can understand the latter position, though if a puppy is squealing in pain it seems wrong to let them sort out between themselves. So I'm confused by that, annoyed at myself for being so hurt on Barney's behalf, and afraid that I will be anxious around any dog that comes bounding over to Barney.

So an early morning, tired rant from me I'm afraid, and thank you for any further comments.

 

[Janey153]

So glad you can relate too Marion! Unlearning that behaviour is quite difficult but I am determined. I used to cross the road if a dog was likely to come near my old rescue jack russell as he had bitten two dogs in his early days with me. He'd bark and growl aggressively with any dog and I couldn't go anywhere with him for the 14 years I had him, (despite much behavioural training) so unlearning this and being more confident can only be a good thing for Barney and me.

 

[Janey153]

Thanks Peter! I'm sure puppy parks are a great place, and the other dogs there were perfectly fine. I think Barney has indeed recovered more quickly than me - though he's slept a lot today, perhaps from too much walking and running around

 

[Janey153]

And thank you Tinman too! X

 

[Janey153]

Thanks Amanda, glad you can relate!
Fairlie, as hard as that is to read, you speak much sense. Having had to avoid dogs because I had an aggressive dog previously, I certainly don't want to do that again.
Thank you ☺

 

[Janey153]

Thanks Nicki, I did take her out for a walk round the block this morning for his very first outing and he was fine.

We just now went to a small grassy area nearby as I didn't want his first day to be horrible. I checked with a woman nearby and her lab boxer (!) cross that he was friendly, and he was, and so Barney had a little run round, with yellow tape stuck to his lead that tells bully boys to keep away from my baby! Not a great photo as he wouldn't keep still!

 

[Janey153]

Thanks so much Marion, that's very thoughtful. The weather wasn't great this morning here either. It looks sunny out now but I guess I should wait till tomorrow for his next walk? X

 

[Janey153]

I think he's reluctant to let me go now!

 

[Janey153]

Thank you Neil.

 

[Janey153]

Aah thank you Fairlie, that's sweet and wouldn't have seemed patronising at all. The park was quiet at first and then a number of dogs appeared out of nowhere, including this boxer.

He's had good experiences with my son's collie who keeps him in check in a non aggressive way and of course his brother too, plus he grew up with other bigger dogs around. My last dog was aggressive and bit other dogs so I never could let him off the lead as I couldn't trust him. I don't want to feel unconfident with Barney, but this wasn't a great start. We'll go elsewhere tomorrow where he can be on his training lead but still I have to let him off at some point.