Day 7 · Dog Training Community

Day 7

So I did ‘walk the dogs’ today after saying last week that I was trying to put more emphasis on training than going for a walk but actually I felt like I just needed it.

Walked Bentley first, he was a bit wild to start with but actually once he’s off lead he just seems to get some of his fizz out. It was also raining and miserable so I think I was a bit more relaxed knowing there would be many people out.

Anyway, did our whole walk and got back to nearly heading home and there was a lady in front of me who was one of those that just fills me with ‘uurrrrgh’ walking soooo slowly and on her phone and I didn’t trust the little dog she was walking so I kept my distance. Then coming towards us was a guy with two dogs tha live in our village and I’ve encountered them before. So I see them coming (both off lead) and I make it really clear that we’re not interacting. Call Bentley into a heel and move right across the other side of the small grassy area we’re on. The dogs go past but then come up behind snarling and barking. Bentley did bark back but only in a defensive way. I said to the guy to keep his dogs under control and asked why would he do that when he clearly saw me making space. And he just ignored me and kept walking.

Has anyone reported a dangerous dog before in the UK? I’m just wondering what the process is like because this is at least the second time they’ve done this to Bentley. I do have footage because I’ve started wearing a body cam for this reason. Last time the female owner tried to tell me it was because her dogs were coming into season and were scared of him.

It makes me so cross when I always have him under close control and other people just get away with terrorising other people. Especially when he’s made so much progress with his reactivity.

Then I walked Muttley and he was a little superstar. Getting back to good recall and generally being a lovely walking companion.

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