Dog Community

Hello. New here. looking for suggestions

Posted : 7/23/2006 5:09:35 AM

I have been lurking for a couple weeks now and still don't know where exactly to post this.... In March I had a hip replacement.

My 8 year old Chow/Shepherd mix Sundance (75 lbs.) has been living out of town with my brother and his fur family (two dogs, four cats and other non fur creatures).... I have not seen Sunny since my operation. I am just starting to walk without the cane. I am planning on getting Sunny back on August 4.

Sunny is a good laid back dog who adores me (or at least did) I got him at a shelter when he was two years old and his worst habit was jumping up on people which we dealt with years ago. My worst problem while walking Sunny is that when he sees another dog he wants to go play. If we are at the park and the other person is agreeable it is ok but I need tips on how to handle this while we are walking. I am anxious to get Sunny back but also guarded since he could pull me off my feet. (I am five foot two and although I weigh more than he does he is much stronger than I am.) Up until now I have used one of those retractable leashes that goes out to 16 feet. I used this mostly because I have arthritis. My brother has been using a normal leash while Sunny has been with him. I am open to changing leashes if I should.

Since I found Sunny in 2000 he has never been away from me (other than when I am at work). I really have no clue how he will act when he comes home. I am open to hearing any suggestions on any of the above.
Thanks in advance
Barbara

glenmar

Posted : 7/23/2006 7:09:21 AM

I hope your surgery was successful and that you are doing well. I have shepherds, and yep, I outweigh them too, but they are STRONG so I know exactly what you mean! There is a fairly new halter, made by the same folks that make the Gentle Leader head harness that is REALLY effective. It's called an Easy Walk Harness and the leash attachment is on the dogs chest. When I ordered an Easy Walk they hadn't worked out the bugs in the design, but I understand that now they fit deep chested dogs just fine. Obviously, I've not used one myself, but our trainers and many, many members here absolutely swear by them. Hopefully the training that your brother has done with your dog will help YOU to be better able to control him on leash....maybe he can show you exactly what it is he does?

I've been wrapped up in too many of those flexi leads that OTHER folks dogs were on to like those.......

Debbie R

Posted : 7/23/2006 8:22:09 AM

Hi Barb, welcome, glad you are starting to feel better. I would try the easy walk like glenda suggested, but if at all possible I would try to walk him where there is very little chance of seeing another dog for a while.
I wouldn't be nervous about his reaction, I think he will be happy to see you, he may miss the other dogs for a while but then he should be back to his old self in no time. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Barbara Wiesner

Posted : 7/24/2006 7:21:59 AM

Thank you both for your suggestions. I will definitely look into the harness. Unfortunately James (brother) has also had trouble with Sunny pulling...although I am sure he does better with it than I ever did. As for walks where there is little chance of seeing dogs...just not possible where I live. The apartment building alone has almost a dozen dogs and the neighborhood around the building has many fenced in back yards with barky dogs. Our normal morning walk (between 4-5 am.) is the one that works the best for not seeing /hearing dogs. I think I will take him to the park for the evening walks for a while.
barbara