Bailey (top right) and Pixel (bottom right) peacefully engaging another dog. A rare occasion indeed!
This week’s Photo Hunt theme is Daily. One thing that is a part of our daily life, come rain or shine, is walking the dogs… and the drama that comes along with it. I snapped this photo last week while we were out for a walk in the snow, you can see my two on the right checking out this little dog we came across. Look! They aren’t even trying to kill her!
The thing about our dogs is, they are hell to walk with. As cute as they are and as much as I love them, walking them can be a nightmare at times. Not just because they both apparently consider other dog’s crap to be a delicacy, but they think they are the bees knees and any and all dogs they encounter should bow down before them.
I suppose in some way we are to blame for this. Perhaps we didn’t try training them at a young enough age or we baby them too much. I’m not sure what it is we did but they are really ridiculous. I tried watching The Dog Whisperer for tips but we still haven’t broken them of their aggressive behavior towards other dogs. Some of the tips did work though. After dragging Pixel a number of times (and feeling very badly about it, especially when other people saw and I’m sure thought I was the worst thing since Cruella Deville), she did eventually learn to walk beside us and not pull. As did Bailey… until we see another dog, that is.
I don’t think Pixel is as aggressive as she is afraid, or perhaps she goes back and forth as she has different barks for different occasions. One which is your usual I’m gonna get you sucka! type of bark, then another high pitched, mega loud, neighbours looking from every direction to see who is torturing their puppy, OMG DON’T KILL ME PLEASE!!! yelp which you have to hear to believe. Both of which are usually triggered by Bailey barking, if he barks, she barks. If he doesn’t bark. She stop, drops and rolls like she’s on fire. Belly up and ready for attention.
Bailey? He has two modes too. Come here and let me chew your face off!!! and Hmm, how YOU doin’?! You can see in the above photo that the dog is a female and he’s in getting all Rico Suave on her. A few minutes after this photo was taken Pixel was belly up, attention whoring her little behind off.
Usually, when we are out for a walk and another dog comes along, it goes a little something like this:
- Bailey barks and snarls his arse off like he’s twice as big as he is and has been trained for the dog pits.
- Pixel catches on and yelps like there’s, literally, no tomorrow. She is about to die and she wants everyone in the city to know.
- I, red faced and embarrassed, either shuffle quickly along with them in tow or yank, growl and bark at them both under my breath as I try to get them to sit, be quiet, stop it, OHMYGODSHUTTHEHELLUP or whatever ends up working – which is usually none of the above. All the while the two of them completely ignore me, continue barking and lunge in the direction of the passing dog until it is out of sight.
- The other dogs owner looks at me either with understanding, pity or distain, depending on how well behaved their dog is.
They need doggy training… or maybe we need owner training. Regardless, this routine is a part of my daily life and is the first thing that came to mind when thinking of what photo to use for today’s hunt.
I love your photo. Pixel and Bailey look positively restrained. But I really love our description of their behaviour! Happy weekend
.-= Jams o donnell´s last blog ..Photo Hunt – Daily =-.
Hey thanks for visiting :) Off to check out yours now!
Did you drug Bailey before going out?? Where are the bared teeth? You holding the killer terrier back so that he doesn’t attack?? WOW!! I have to say Bailey is on his best behaviour there!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..This just might end up … =-.
Naw there were no drugs involved. It was just that she was a female, he tends to like them better. Not always but usually…
They are so adorable. Happy weekend!
My Daily Kitty
.-= Manang Kim´s last blog ..Daily Kitty =-.
Thanks Kim :) Looks like I’m not alone using a pet for my daily!
You know, it’s kind of a relief to know that it’s a hassle with small dogs, too. I’ve only got one dog, but he’s 80 pounds and likes to make a scene when he sees other dogs. He usually does just want to play, but since I don’t know what the other dog’s reaction is going to be, I usually try to keep him away. Unfortunately, he likes to drop to the ground and wait for the dog to get closer. At which point I have to literally drag 80 pounds of dead-weight dog to try and avoid an even bigger scene.
He can be very well-behaved, but when he gets distracted by cats or other dogs, he loses all awareness of anything else.
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Foto Vrijdag 2.8 =-.
You are so right when you say that you don’t know how other dogs will react. A few months ago a neighbour had their rottweiler off her leash and she came barreling towards Bailey, he got scared and defensive and next thing we knew the dog was shaking him around like a rag dog. It was terrifying and I went completely bezerk. The guy had to pay over 200 euro in vet bills. Lesson learned!
Wow, he looks so cute in that picture :-)
.-= Nigel Babu´s last blog ..An Update =-.
You should see him in real life, he’s even worse! :P He has me wrapped around his little finger.
Just stopping by from the photo hunt. This picture is too cute. Bailey looks just like the dog I had growing up!
Thanks for stopping by :)
I notice the leashes are all fairly tight. I should have walked my dog more often. It would have been good for both of us. Great take on the theme.
haha yeah we weren’t taking any chances. If he did start we were ready to drag him off asap!
Hmmm, have you tried walking them one at a time? and taking treats with you, so try to distract them with the treat when the other dogs come into view. so they get the treat if they react to what you are saying to them not if they go monkey apeshit.
Oh that treat thing is a good idea, I might try that!! Walking them once at a time, ugh no way. In a 3rd floor walk up and them being walked 3 times a day, that’s 6 walks. Easier to just take them both and get it overwith.