Sandstorm and walking a particular route-no more!!!

KarenCurtis

KarenCurtis

Forums Sage
Hi all. Yesterday was the last straw. I don't know why I kept doing this. I walk Sandstorm around the block allot- this involves walking on a busy road that intersects with another less busy road. There is also a highway off-ramp about 300 ft ahead of us when we turn on to the busy road. When we get to the less busy road there is a medical center with cars exiting it. Mind you all of this is small scale because we live on Cape Cod, Mass. But still, it is busy enough and Sandstorm barks and lunges (he has a martingale collar and is on a short leash). Why are we doing this ?? I don't know, but we aren't doing it anymore. :no: If we just walk on the less busy road that connects with my private dirt road, he is much more likely to behave on the walk and can be corrected. We did that today, and he did bark and lunge, not as severe. The three times he did sit as a car went by, I could tell he was pleased with himself and looked at me for praise, smiling! :razz: If we go the other route, he is much more likely to lunge and bark on a calmer walk. I felt so badly, and today wanted to take a more positive walk to correct my mistake yesterday. I just don't see the point of taking him where he is very stressed. It wasn't getting any better, and it's not vitally important that he walks in high traffic/noise areas. What do you all think?
Karen
 
I guess if you really don't think it is important that he learns to walk in high traffic areas you could just keep him away. But if you find yourself in a situation where he needs to, it could be a problem.

Just a couple of suggestions: You might want to continue to work him on the quieter road until he is really comfortable and performing well, and then reintroduce him to the busy area. Or you might want to find a less busy road to introduce him to that wouldn't be as stressful and work your way up. Go as slowly as he needs to. I don't blame you for not wanting to stress your dog and only you can decide if he needs to learn to walk in noisy traffic.

Just a thought. Good luck.
 
I think if you don't have a need to walk on the busier street, then don't. I wouldn't. Why risk the lunging and possibly him getting loose from you.

My neighborhood practically has no cars and is a nice place to walk the dogs, but up in NY my dad's house was on a busy street. But there was a side walk the entire way, so it wasn't bad. I always put Meggie in a sit when a car goes by here because we have no sidewalks.

I know we want to teach them not to chase cars, but if you don't have a need to walk busy streets, i.e. that's all available to you, then I wouldn't. I could be wrong, but that's what I would do.
 
Absolutely - no point stressing both you and Sandstorm.

Do you always walk the same route? I find if we regularly go the same way mine are more likely to act up - like bark at cars. I think it gets a little boring seeing the same scenery so they make their own fun out of it. I've noticed this also happens with the dogs at our oval, when they come down lots of days in a row they start getting a bit barky and naughty.
 
Thanks for the replies, yes I have thought of walking Sandstorm a different route- they do get bored. I did this the other day- we went on a new quiet street, I think he liked it. I will do this periodically, there are enough side streets to go on. I guess if he ever calms down completely on walks I could try a busier route- but not until then- we need to have fun, and he needs to learn that our walks will not cause too much stress.
Karen
 
Where I live, there is a nice little park off the parking lot of a senior's rec centre. It has a paved walking trail which I used to use for Noah. It was great as he didn't like traffic at all. Once the weather gets better, I intend to take Emma there but also walk her on busier roads.

Sounds like you have got a good handle of providing good walking places for your pup.
 
Emmasmom said:
Where I live, there is a nice little park off the parking lot of a senior's rec centre. It has a paved walking trail which I used to use for Noah. It was great as he didn't like traffic at all. Once the weather gets better, I intend to take Emma there but also walk her on busier roads.

Sounds like you have got a good handle of providing good walking places for your pup.
Click to expand...
My neighborhood is a good one for dogs- in fact there are dogs all along our private dirt road, all with responsible owners. It is rural enough in the immediate vacinity, but we can venture out onto roads with moderate traffic also. Where in Ontario are you? More north than Toronto? I was born in Windsor.
Karen
 
I wish I had a nice rural area to walk in. I hate walking on cement and pavement. I actually live in Port Colborne, was raised in Lindsay, and lived in Barrie for 17 years. Been all over the place including Northern Alberta.
 
It took Che steady 2 weeks mornings walking the busy street to stop paying attention to the cars and heel with me...
Since I want my dog to go with me everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE, I want him to be comfortable at all situations...
I took him to Shamrock shuffle with 36,000 people running downtown Chicago and he was good...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top