So I’ve been walking Hershey up and down the block once a day, hoping that’ll tire out the little pooch, and maybe make her a bit less rambunctious. Now that it’s warmer, she loves going outside—so much to see! So much to do and chase and sniff and taste. She’s very enthusiastic when she’s outside. (Which is my nice way of saying she pulls me up and down the street and all around the yard.) I read that dog owners are supposed to teach their pups who the lead dog is. Guess what. I’m not the lead dog yet.
Just to prove her point, Hershey will grab part of the leash and bite it, as if she’s walking herself. Just to remind me who’s boss and all. She wants to run up other people’s driveways, and check out their lawn. It’s an adventure, indeed. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
So, I do try to confine her exploring to our backyard. She spotted a pair of mallard ducks that make a yearly pilgrimage to our backyard. When they first started showing up, they’d swim around in our pool cover. Then, when I put in the koi pond, they were delighted to swim in that. Only, it was bad news for the fish with their duck poop and all. And nothing I could do would chase them away for good. They would actually swim around the pond, and then get up on the deck and sit there, watching the waterfall. I’m not kidding.
But this year, they met Hershey. I saw the ducks in the pond for the first time the other day on one of our walks. One look at Hershey, and they honked and squawked and flew away. And they haven’t come back. Score one for Hershey.
But her enthusiasm can make walking difficult, and I can’t imagine what it will be like when she’s bigger. (Yes, I know by then I better make it known I’m the lead dog.) And I’d better do it soon. The other day we were out walking in the rain (yay) and Hershey spotted something she just had to chase. The leash was wet and slipped out of my hand. Hershey sprinted from me toward the front yard.
I screamed and hollered for her to stop, but she kept running right for the road. Panic rocked my gut as I realized Hershey could get hit by a car. She loves cars and often tries to chase them when we walk up and down the street.
I was terrified I was going to lose Hershey. It happens, leaving families heartbroken. How could I ever forgive myself if something happened to her? But luckily, I was able to chase her and get close enough to step on the leash she was dragging behind her and stop her in her tracks. Once my heart slowed down, I got her back inside and realized I’ve got to get better control of this dog. She may be difficult at times, but I don’t want to lose her. That scary walk in the rain confirmed that. So I will be holding tighter to this wild pup of mine.
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Have you missed any of the articles in this series?
If so, you can find them at:
The Bringing Up Puppy Series page.
Related posts:
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Loose
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – The Worst Lab
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – The Furs Flying
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Who is the Boss?
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Fairy Dog Mother – Part 2
