Last night I took Bear to the pet supply store after work, which turned out to be a horrible event. When Bear was younger, he didn't like the car so we took him everywhere with us (normally both my DH and I would be going) and this was my first time taking him out to a "fun" event by myself.
It was a disaster. Don't get me wrong, there were some awesome points like:
1) Stop#1 Bear waited until I exited the vehicle before trying to exit
2) He walked nicely next to me while I pushed a cart - no pulling (once we were past the first two mins there where I had to stop literally every single step)
3) He was very socialable. Never cowered or anything.
4) Once I got him refocused on me, he was very well behaved... for a second.
However, there was alot left to be desired.
1) He did pull. Which I corrected
2) He urinated on everyone who stopped to pet him. (I made sure he pottied before leaving the house)
3) He gently stood up and put his paws on a little girls shoulders. Scared the girl out of her mind, I apologized none stop for a good minute or two. The mother just laughed about it and said not to worry, but oh my such inappropriate behavior.
4) When we got to stop#2 (a different pet supply store b/c the first one didn't have one of my food items), he played "boing boing" at the end of his leash b/c there were PEOPLE AND PETS EVERYWHERE!!!!!! It was a combination of pulling and jumping at the same time. I was working on correcting this by stopping or walking backwards, trying to regain his focus, but none of it worked. He saw people and animals and THEY MUST PET HIM in his mind.
5) When I got him refocused on me and sitting calmly next to me, I'd give him the release and he would CHARGE at the closest creature.
Overall, the trip showed me things I need to work on. My biggest issue with last night, ironically, had to do with people and not Bear.
1) Everyone wanted to pet him, even when I said "He's in training, please do not give him attention." I'd get up to the "He's in" and they're already petting him, no body asked if they could, they just assumed. I tried to shorten it to "No!" but everyone just assumed I was talking to the dog. I'm thinking of making him or buying him a vest that reads "In Training, do not approach" or something like that. I'm trying to teach him that everyone does not have to pay attention to him and he's not in control of who does or when they do. Last night was a huge failure on that. I need to step my game up.
2) An employee asked if Bear could have a treat. I said "Sure" and he proceeds to dump an ENTIRE package of treats on the ground. Bear has been known to be nippy when approached over food, and I didn't have anything to trade him for them, so I just left it alone. But I felt that was an excessive amount of food to give the puppy. And maybe in the future I'll say "Only one" or just simplify it and say "No"
3) A woman walked up to us, asked me how old he was and then told me I needed to get him in training fast because he has no manners. This irritated me to no end. Who the heck do you think you are lady? How would you have handled this? I just told her we ARE in training and walked away.
4) Finally, the crown moment of the night! The security guard outside (this was when Bear was the most obnoxious b/c there was a group of people and 3-4 dogs hanging out outside.) stood next to me and made the "Ssssss" sound while flashing his hand towards Bear. We were outside for nearly 10 mins trying to regain our composure and to get Bear to settle down and the WHOLE TIME THIS MAN WAS DOING THIS! I just ignored it b/c the only comments running through my head where completely snarky and rude.
How do you correct your pup and the people around you when you're out and about? Should I just not take him when I have to go and accomplish things (i.e. picking up food, etc)?
It was a disaster. Don't get me wrong, there were some awesome points like:
1) Stop#1 Bear waited until I exited the vehicle before trying to exit
2) He walked nicely next to me while I pushed a cart - no pulling (once we were past the first two mins there where I had to stop literally every single step)
3) He was very socialable. Never cowered or anything.
4) Once I got him refocused on me, he was very well behaved... for a second.
However, there was alot left to be desired.
1) He did pull. Which I corrected
2) He urinated on everyone who stopped to pet him. (I made sure he pottied before leaving the house)
3) He gently stood up and put his paws on a little girls shoulders. Scared the girl out of her mind, I apologized none stop for a good minute or two. The mother just laughed about it and said not to worry, but oh my such inappropriate behavior.
4) When we got to stop#2 (a different pet supply store b/c the first one didn't have one of my food items), he played "boing boing" at the end of his leash b/c there were PEOPLE AND PETS EVERYWHERE!!!!!! It was a combination of pulling and jumping at the same time. I was working on correcting this by stopping or walking backwards, trying to regain his focus, but none of it worked. He saw people and animals and THEY MUST PET HIM in his mind.
5) When I got him refocused on me and sitting calmly next to me, I'd give him the release and he would CHARGE at the closest creature.
Overall, the trip showed me things I need to work on. My biggest issue with last night, ironically, had to do with people and not Bear.
1) Everyone wanted to pet him, even when I said "He's in training, please do not give him attention." I'd get up to the "He's in" and they're already petting him, no body asked if they could, they just assumed. I tried to shorten it to "No!" but everyone just assumed I was talking to the dog. I'm thinking of making him or buying him a vest that reads "In Training, do not approach" or something like that. I'm trying to teach him that everyone does not have to pay attention to him and he's not in control of who does or when they do. Last night was a huge failure on that. I need to step my game up.
2) An employee asked if Bear could have a treat. I said "Sure" and he proceeds to dump an ENTIRE package of treats on the ground. Bear has been known to be nippy when approached over food, and I didn't have anything to trade him for them, so I just left it alone. But I felt that was an excessive amount of food to give the puppy. And maybe in the future I'll say "Only one" or just simplify it and say "No"
3) A woman walked up to us, asked me how old he was and then told me I needed to get him in training fast because he has no manners. This irritated me to no end. Who the heck do you think you are lady? How would you have handled this? I just told her we ARE in training and walked away.
4) Finally, the crown moment of the night! The security guard outside (this was when Bear was the most obnoxious b/c there was a group of people and 3-4 dogs hanging out outside.) stood next to me and made the "Ssssss" sound while flashing his hand towards Bear. We were outside for nearly 10 mins trying to regain our composure and to get Bear to settle down and the WHOLE TIME THIS MAN WAS DOING THIS! I just ignored it b/c the only comments running through my head where completely snarky and rude.
How do you correct your pup and the people around you when you're out and about? Should I just not take him when I have to go and accomplish things (i.e. picking up food, etc)?