Dog Community

His swimming career is over- Bugsy (rant)

Posted : 9/18/2008 1:44:34 PM

well I dared to take him to the lake again - why oh why I say!

I didn't let him make a forward movement if he was stalking and we walked down to the 'beach' area on a loose leash. In fact a woman and her son were going on about what a wonderfully behaved dog he was, I made him sit while we talked.

The geese and ducks had moved into the water and I kept him in a stay - put his lifevest on and started to unclip his prong (yes I had him on it just in case) well before I had fully undone it he launched after the geese - 1000mph. Leash still attached to prong which was unhooked but may be on his life vest don't know - it all went in. I went in the water to try and get the leash/ prong while he was steaming for the geese. I then saw they were heading to shore (about 100yds from me) and he was hot on their tails.

Yup he went ashore they flew off over the piers and boatslips he leaping and running as fast as he could, he slipped in one of his landings (over a pier) and wound up going off the boatslip which obviously gets deep in a hurry. I got there just in time to grab the last bit of the line attached to his life vest but was now in over my head.

I was trying to keep afloat while holding on to the line and he was swimming out. I wasn't able in that position to pull him back but I could prevent him from making much progress. For which he whipped his head around and gave me a stink eye. Eventually he gave up and turned around so I could get back to where I could have my feet on the ground.

His leash and prong are at the bottom of the lake somewhere. He has some bad cuts on one of his back legs and I have two scraped knees and a massive bruise on my lower leg.

So that is that. I really can't do this again. He was under complete control again within a minute or two of me catching him. But during the chase - nothing will stop him. Too intense, too big, too powerful.

An older guy was there bleaching the picnic tables and he said he knew some fellas that would pay thousands for a dog with that drive. Nearly sold him Bugsy then and there (just kidding)

Ugh and when DH gets home I'll never hear the end of it - he told me not to keep at it.

rwbeagles

Posted : 9/18/2008 1:50:23 PM

KAREN!!

I am so glad you BOTH are, in the mainn okay! What a harrowing event to go thru. MAN...I'd have drowned, seriously. I am scared just reading that! sheesh I do not blame you one bit...

VanMorrison

Posted : 9/18/2008 1:52:34 PM

Oh Karen! I'm so sorry that happened! It's a good thing that Bugsy is so adorable.

I don't blame you one bit for not going to the lake anymore and I'm amazed that you were able to slow his progress while swimming yourself. You must be a great swimmer!

Sounds like the only place that B will be swimming is at Brookcoves's farm. That lake is just too much for him!

Sending healing vibes to you and B. It totally sucks that you lost the collar too, those things aren't cheap or easy to break in.

Sigh... two steps forward...

Benedict

Posted : 9/18/2008 1:56:03 PM

Oh my...Karen I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say other than you seem to be taking being dragged into the lake better than I would have.

kpwlee

Posted : 9/18/2008 1:56:59 PM

Gina it was scary and I am not easily scared. Pure emotion here but times like this I think all I wanted was a pet dog, this is just too much.

And yes we are fine but I'll admit I'm heartbroken. I was soooooooo happy when he started to swim and now there is just no way I can do this - and I'm no pixie either. But he was completely under control and then completely feral and then completely under control again.

The leaps and running across the piers was nearly enough to make me puke I was so scared.

Just looking at dog.com to replace the prong collar ..............................

Kate I wasn't dragged into the lake I went diving in to catch the end of that rope - goodness knows how this would have played out had I not grabbed that rope

3girls

Posted : 9/18/2008 2:03:34 PM

Oh wow. All I can say is I'm glad neither of you were severely injured!!

BCMixs

Posted : 9/18/2008 2:04:51 PM

Oh geez how scary! Bugsy, you naughty boy! It happens. I'm glad neither of you was seriously injured!

cat0

Posted : 9/18/2008 2:33:23 PM

Holy cow. Scary doesn't begin to say it. So glad you both escaped with minor injuries.

Don't write off his swimming -- just put it off. When he's a little older, when you have a different setting, when someone is there to help you.

JackieG

Posted : 9/18/2008 2:52:08 PM

Totally scary! So glad it wasn't worse and yes sometimes the WORST is having someone tell you "I told you so". Grrr

kpwlee

Posted : 9/18/2008 2:56:37 PM

here's a link to the lake if you zoom in to the boathouse area you can see the piers etc.

JackieG
and yes sometimes the WORST is having someone tell you "I told you so". Grrr

LOL true - its just I work so hard with Bugsy and DH doesn't so I suppose it is to some extent swallowing my pride and saying no mas the dog wins this one. I so want him to be a 'normal' dog not a 110lbs of power and intensity Stick out tongue

BTW he's as happy as a clam tail wagging like what we gonna do now ma?

JackieG

Posted : 9/18/2008 3:16:33 PM

Yeah, I hate when they scare the living daylights out of you and then are like you said, tails wagging and happy as ducks in a lake without Bugsy!

kpwlee

Posted : 9/18/2008 3:29:10 PM

JackieG
happy as ducks in a lake without Bugsy!

that did give me a chuckle - I'm trying to wipe it all from my memory, sitting outside in my porch and of course he is at my feet. A gaggle of crows just flew noisily by and he flew out his dog door. Please dear doG pray for me and him tonight, my nerves are a bit frayed. His leg looks worse than I thought initially, need make sure it doesn't get infected.

And yes I am a strong swimmer used to be a lifeguard many moons ago, this was a struggle though.

oranges81

Posted : 9/18/2008 3:36:34 PM

That's why I'm glad Maze doesn't swim. She has such a high bird drive that I knew if she hit that water, I'd lose her. So she's content to just get her toes wet and chases the geese on land.

I'm so glad you guys are alright!

Anonymous

Posted : 9/18/2008 3:36:59 PM

Can you get a duck and disensitize Bugsy to them? A duck that isnt afraid of dogs and wont freak out being in a cage while he gets used to it?

DPU

Posted : 9/18/2008 3:49:24 PM

So sorry this happen. You just never know the strength of a dog's drive until you have to counter it for the dog's own good. I think Bugsy needs another channel to vent this......lets see....LOVE will do it....and that means a female companion. You know what they say about the love of a good women.