The Dog Magnet

I have recently been using chopped up sausage and cheese on walks which is Ben's high value treat when we come across other dogs. It really focuses him on me after he has looked at the other dog. Dog = Cheesy Sausage! Unfortunately this causes me to attract dogs who also want some cheesy sausage action. Therefore my tool for helping Ben is sometimes the thing that doesn't help him at all because it brings unfamiliar dogs over to me. which can cause Ben to react. This really emphasizes how important it is for owners to put their dogs on leads when they see another dog on lead. I am trying to be much more proactive on walks because of this, I will change direction or move as far away as I can to one side or hide behind something. 

An example of me turning into a dog magnet happened last week. I was walking with my friend and her two labs who Ben gets on with. We encountered a lady with a Dalmatian and a Spaniel, both dogs Ben has met before and has been fine with, even playing with the Dalmatian. I still got the cheesy sausage out to keep Ben focused. The Dalmatian launched at my treat bag spilling all of the treats all over the ground. So all five dogs were trying to get the treats off the floor. The Dalmatian then went back for the treat bag still in my hand and his tooth slices my finger, yes ouch. Blood is pouring and I am crying out in pain (I am a wimp with a low pain threshold!). The owner was VERY apologetic and clearly is embarrassed. I tell her it's okay and we carry on walking. I had a tetanus injection that day and have been on antibiotics all week as a precautionary measure. 

It is really hard to be proactive on the spot sometimes, but I need to get in the habit of ensuring Ben doesn't have any negative encounters with other dogs. He is better off his lead, but with certain dogs I would rather put him on lead and do my best to avoid. I have had owners say to me "its okay if he has a bit of a go, my dog will move away". This is not the point though, I do not want Ben to have to feel like he needs to warn another dog away, its not good for his stress levels. 

I just remembered, it was Ben's 3rd birthday last week and I did not even do a happy birthday Ben blog post...he was spoilt on the day though! Here he is on a frosty walk this morning.