To say something or not ... that is the question ...

[ClareMarsh]

Yesterday my boyfriend, Ted and I went to meet up with some friends

It sounds like you are saying Ted is your boyfriend!
Made me giggle. Though of course I know what you mean!

I spend more time with Ted than I spend with my boyfriend

[minkee]

I bet he listens more, and agrees with you more too! ....I may be projecting, here

[ClareMarsh]

I bet he listens more, and agrees with you more too! ....I may be projecting, here

He's certainly not as addicted to Football Manager

[emmabeth]

I have visions now of Clare, tackling friend-with-crazy-dogs, wearing a leather flying hat, full goggles and a big scarf......

Clare - that 'glazed' expression is not, sadly, uncommon in dogs who have effectively been taught to thoroughly ignore people, as people mean nothing. Good luck!

[bendog]

Although actually you can get rid of the "glazed" expression pretty quickly.

Sash sits and looks stupid most of the time and I think she expects to be shouted at when people start standing near her to try and ask her to "sit" or do anything.
Once she cottons on that theres food involved and she's done something RIGHT for a change, the expression soon goes and she starts looking eager to learn more.

[ClareMarsh]

I have visions now of Clare, tackling friend-with-crazy-dogs, wearing a leather flying hat, full goggles and a big scarf......

Clare - that 'glazed' expression is not, sadly, uncommon in dogs who have effectively been taught to thoroughly ignore people, as people mean nothing. Good luck!

I read leather flying hat then and wondered where that was going

Although actually you can get rid of the "glazed" expression pretty quickly.

The glazed expression freaked me out a bit, I felt like tapping them on their heads "hello anyone home" In stark contrast we saw Ted's mate Socks this morning, I reckon in his head I am the "Liver Treat Lady" as now when he sees me he comes straight over, sits and locks his gaze onto me expectantly

Edit: I'm used to feeling there is some form of two way conversation going on with dogs, with Pan and Chewy I felt like they couldn't even see me, let alone her me

[WufWuf]

Hopefully they'll listen to you, it's worth saying it anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained and you'll keep wondering "what if" if you don't at least try.

I've not had the best luck getting people to listen when it comes to their dogs. There's a man I meet who's JRT I've been warning him about for nearly a year now, she's a very insecure little thing but he just can't see it. I asked him about her behaviour in the home recently and was informed that she was now going for people who came to their house - "but sure that's no bad thing" Sometimes you just have know when to walk away.

[ClareMarsh]

Right to update you all I've just messaged the owner about Pan's behaviour when he met Ted. Yes I've sat on this for a while but I was trying to find the right words and I didn't want to send the message straight away as I didn't want to seem like I was obsessing over it (even if I was a little bit ). So watch this space for updates ... or tumbleweed

After reading about Ted on here I was wondering if I've ever seen a chihuahua (one day I'll be able to spell it without checking back) walk nicely on lead. Along with tiny yorkies, they seem to spend most of their time twirling with only two legs on the ground. I dare say because owners can drag them along with barely noticing, many don't feel the need to train them

And am proud to let you know that Ted's lose lead walking is coming along nicely, in fact I don't think we're far off getting my boyfriend to video us so that Judy can say she's seen a chihuahua walk nicely on the lead. Last night at puppy class he managed to do it beautifully despite them adding distractions in the form of bags of sausage thrown on the ground , go Ted

[JudyN]

Way to go, Ted!

I must admit I'd never thought about the logistics of feeding a chiuhuahua treats while walking - my back aches just thinking about it!

[ClareMarsh]

When we get round to videoing this you'll see it's very much bum in the air work for me , I really should remember to bend from the knee

Actually it was, not so much now, the treats are a lot more interspersed, we're even starting to get automatic sitting before crossing the road sometimes, although that itself causes more distraction for him to deal with as you have people squealing "awwwwwww, look at the tiny doggy", really when I think about it his impulse control is actually phenomenal

[Fundog]

OK.

Step 1) unscrew the bristle end of a broom off the handle of the broom.

Step 2) Get the "pointy-twisty" end of the broom handle super sticky with something that will not harm your dog, but will let the treats stick on for a minute or two.

Step 3) Carry broom handle, aka "treat stick" with you on walks.

Step 4) When doggy deserves a treat, stick it on the end of the stick, and lower it to where doggy can reach to take treat off end of stick.

Voila! No more bum in the air, no more back strain, etc.

[jacksdad]

oh I don't know..some people might like seeing a bum in the air

[thepennywhistle]

oh I don't know..some people might like seeing a bum in the air

Oooh, that's dangerous ground, Jack's Dad

Depends on the bum, I should think. Many years ago -- and when we were still speaking to each other -- my
sister was bent over with her head in the dishwasher. I squeezed behind her to pass her in the tiny kitchen,
and I distractedly (and automatically) patted her on the butt so she wouldn't kick me. (well, she was roughly
the size and shape of my fat pony Kipper's rump from that angle) When she demanded an explanation of
why I had suddenly decided to fondle her posterior, I had to explain. It's not my fault she's built like a
Volkwagen beetle.

She still hates me.

EDIT!!! and ACK!!! too. By the above reminiscence, I in no way intended to comment on the shape of anybody's behind
beyond my sister's, most certainly not Teddy's mom. I'm sure it's very shapely, as active as you are. I was merely reflecting back on a time when attention to someone's bum came out badly for me.

[JudyN]

Oh gosh, that's reminded me...

I had a washing machine repair man round, with his head stuck in the machine and a bit of a builder's bum thing going on. Jasper went up and gave his cleavage a lick The repair man said 'Ooh,it's my lucky day,' looked round, and then said 'Oh, it's only the dog.'

[ClareMarsh]

Well I set myself up for that didn't I, although I'm surprised it's so few steps from "shall I tell my friend her dog needs help" to "I wave my bum in the air when I walk my dog"

Fundog, thanks for that suggestion, I've thought about making/buying something but to be honest it's not hurting my back (although it might be offending passers by) and Ted's getting better and better so treating doesn't need to be as frequent. At this stage the thought of teaching him to use it plus hold his lead, load it up with treats, deal with "clever" comments from passers by etc puts me off, I'll take thrusting my bum in the air instead

And Jasper never lets me down, he has a story for every occasion