A couple of weeks ago Jaco and I went a little crazy and decided to take the puppies for a day trip to a doggy park, our friends along with their two Spaniels also came.
That morning we loaded the car with the necessary things, ourselves and Lila and Rusty. Our friends loaded into their car and off we went. Now, Lila and Rusty don't really like driving in the car on the best of days, and this was quite a long drive as we don't have any parks near where we stay, so needless to say by the time we got to the park I was pretty relieved.
Until we all got out of the car.
The experience was so alien to them, not at all like our neighbourhood walks with snarling dogs barking at them from behind high gates. Let me add that leashes are mandatory at this park, but no one besides us and our friends adhered to this rule. There were dogs everywhere...off leash...and well behaved.
It was beautiful to see.
Lila and Rusty went nuts, barking and yelling and I have to admit I was a little embarrassed. My two crazy puppies surrounded by all the silent, playful dogs running around and fetching balls that were thrown...and of course their disdainful owners. Eventually their surroundings became a little more interesting than the other dogs and they sniffed and ran as we jogged beside them, through a tiny little stream, over a little bridge and through some trees.
Eventually we all found a bench in the shade of a tree, and sat down for a rest. We let the leashes go and the four of them sniffed the area where we were (which was luckily quiet and no other dogs ventured there otherwise we'd have had a spectacle on our hands), finding interesting scents and finally, returning for some water. Slowly we made our way back to the cars.
On our way home, with two tired and sleepy Dachshunds, I thought about what a fantastic day it was. And not because I enjoyed it (I was more than a little stressed at times), but because Lila and Rusty enjoyed it. And happy puppies makes a happy owner.
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5 comments:
We're lucky to have off-leash parks all around us but it takes a constant effort to prepare the dogs to behave themselves there.
What we usually do is take them for an hour walk or so on-leash in the park with constant reinforcement to not bark at other dogs. By the time we get to the open park area (the rest is all paths), they're tired, focused and ready to just putter around a bit on their best behavior. There's something about coming into an area with a bunch of other dogs though that's different than running into one at a time while walking. Their demeanor changes like - 'oh...I don't have to meet other dogs if I don't want to so I don't need to bark and scream about it'. They're much more chill.
My little ones don't know what to do with themselves at an off-leash dog area. they end up doing what they rarely do when they're on the leash: follow obediently and directly behind me. Goofy little dogs.
By the way, I want to thank everyone who contributes to this blog. I start every morning checking this site for updates, and find that it is the perfect mood-setter. The photos, particularly of Lila and Rusty, are blown up and printed, hanging in my office. (I hope that's all right?) Everyone who passes by stops to look, smile, and comment about them. You have changed the whole environment around here. Thank you.
A reader in Salt Lake City, UT.
I can totally relate- Hamish makes an ass of himself at the dog park. Very embarrassing. I get the withering, disdainful glances too, the looks of "what is with your dog?" Ahh, dachshunds. A breed apart. literally.
My 2 doxies have this terrible"small dog" complex where they have to terrorize only certain large dogs. The big dogs either shy away in fear or are falling on the floor laughing! Either way, my guys feel "dominant" and more enpowered to go after the next big dog. It's so embarrassing!
Jen:
Hi there!! What a great comment to read on a cold day in SA. :) It's completely fine! I'm glad they (and the rest of the WYD bunch) brighten your day! :)
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