There are two great new books out, one I have mentioned before that I drank up like a cup of hot chocolate on a warm day: Scent of the Missing, by Susannah Charleson is out, and I just loved it. I liked it so much I contacted her PR rep with the publisher and said “Please bring her to do a signing in Madison!” Here’s what I wrote about it: ” A brilliantly written book that should be on every dog lover’s bed stand. Charleson’s use of language is so rich I’m not sure I want to read her book or eatย it.” Micheal Perry, who wrote the gorgeous book Truck, and a first great book, Population 485–(wonderful wonderful books) wrote “… With lean, lovely prose she takes us on a clear-eye, compassionate journey into a mysterious world in which every story begins as a ghost story.”
Scent of the Missing is about Susannah’s journey into Search and Rescue, and the joys and challenges of taking a tiny, full-of-herself pup through the rigorous training required of anย S & R dog. Susannah is bravely honest about the ups and downs of her experience, and is simply a scrumptious writer. She is coming to do a signing atย Borders West in Madison, Wisconsin next Wednesday, May 19th. I hope anyone in the area can come out to support her.
Another great book is Chase! by Clarissa von Reinhardt. I met Clarissa when she brought me over to Germany to participate in a conference, (which was great by the way, lots of super speakers) and she has written a wonderful book for people who want to walk dogs off leash out in the country. As I said in my blurb, just the idea of a “sausage tree” is worth the price of the book. I think this a great, practical book for anyone who has a dog who is a tad challenging to walk off leash, and for any trainer who wants to add to their tool box.
There is one section I don’t agree with, and I’m curious what you think. Clarissa advises against “frequently throwing balls, sticks or other objects for your dog to chase and/or retrieve” if you have a dogs who loves to chase things. Interesting, I tend to do the opposite: use that desire to chase objects as a reinforcement for coming when called, and stopping on cue. Your thoughts? However, that caveat said, this book is full of some great ideas. Have you read it yet?
Meanwhile, back on the farm: It’s cold and rainy and I am enmeshed in the ‘return the pup’ controversy and house and crate training a new puppy and finalizing grades for 150 students and making arrangements for Jim’s surgery next week and the need for farm help for the next year. I’ll just leave it that it’s seems to be pouring rain in many ways, in many contexts. Good news is that the pup is thriving, worships Will and I absolutely adore him. Although I’m feeling a bit like a swimmer in raging river, I am 100 % sure I make the right decision. I’ll write soon (hopefully tomorrow) about the good questions of 1) what behavior is ‘fixable’ and what isn’t and 2) if I could do the process all over again, would I do it differently…. Stay tuned, and thanks for hanging in there.
Here’s a photo from a friend, of the Trillium in his yard. It’s a native species and is all over the woods right now… so beautiful, even in the pouring rain!
R.D.L. says
I have also used the tennis ball fetch as a way to keep a dog close. If I stop throwing the ball then I have to put Mitzi on the leash or she hightails it for the hills where coyotes and mountain lions lurk. Did the author give some reasons why ball-fetch wouldn’t be good?
S says
I’d be interested to know the rationale behind Clarissa’s recommendation to not throw balls, sticks or other objects for your dog to chase and/or retrieve. One of our golden retrievers absolutely loves to fetch the ball and bring it back, and allowing him to do so a few times a week gets him more intense exercise than just walks around the neighborhood.
I guess I can’t see the downside of allowing or encouraging this behavior. . . .
Laurel says
I totally taught the puppy just about everything for walking off-leash (recall, stay close, and that she should bring me random things she picks up) by throwing the ball for her. It’s her #1 reinforcement – absolute best I can offer – and when I first started going for off-leash walks with her, I kept the ball with me as an insurance policy, because I knew I could get her to come back for the ball. I also taught her to stay using the ball as reinforcement. Worked great for me, but she’s also a particular kind of dog: very human-focused and eager to please. I don’t know how it would have worked for a different dog.
I’d be interested in knowing why Clarissa von Reinhardt thinks you shouldn’t throw things for dogs.
Another Kate says
Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish your family the best. I had to make a similar decision on a puppy from the rescue I belonged to. When I took her back to her foster after a week and the realization that I couldn’t do it, the chatter behind my back felt unending. I think it stinks that it’s so much easier to criticize others’s decisions than to do it yourself.
Please don’t let the controversy get to you too much. You’ve enriched so many lives, pet and human, through your continued honesty.
Carolyn in Belize says
I grew up in Michigan and LOVE trilliums. It’s been many many years since I’ve seen them and these are gorgeous — thanks for sharing! Also, so glad the pup is settling in so well. Obviously the right choice .
Michelle says
Oh you cannot talk about new puppy and not post pictures of said puppy!!!! *pouty face*
Regarding not allowing a dog who likes to chase to chase balls, etc.: I’m just a simple dog owner, but I think using chasing something that a dog is allowed to chase as a reward when a dog LOVES to chase seems like a really good idea. The key, to me, would be in making chasing a ball (frisbee, squeaky toy, their owner ๐ ) more rewarding than chasing wildlife.
I definitely plan on getting the first book — that’s on my wishlist already and I’m so glad to hear it’s that good. It looks fabulous! The second book is something I may look into at some point. I have a dog who’s easy to have off leash. She’s a velcro dog and even though she loves to chase (especially ducks and geese), she responds instantly to a “stop” command. However, she won’t be my only dog at some point, and the next one down the line might not be as good off leash so it’s something to keep in mind.
Thanks for the reviews!
Ann W in PA says
“Clarissa advises against
Lacey H says
As a rescuer, I appreciated very much your last post – on the wise decision not to accept what you might be unable to fix. The main reason I chose to adopt my second dog was her great dog wisdom. When I take a new shelter foster I give Misty a chance to veto first. Naturally she doesn’t love all the fosters, but she can tell me if one is likely to be unacceptable in a multi-dog home.
On the other hand, I quite understand why you didn’t take Will the first time you went for a puppy. My anxious old male is unhappy in new situations now, and has always shown severe stress about shelters; I’d never take him there to help me.
Lisa R. says
Sorry you have to go thru this experience… You did the right thing ~ Will’s happy. That’s wonderful news! That’s why you got a pup. Your wisdom and love shines through your writing and your photographs. Good luck to Jim. Enjoy Will & the pup – he’ll be the same size as Will before you know it. I just wish you got another Pyr ; )
Alexandra says
I don’t know that I really understand what the goal of not throwing stuff for your dog to chase/retrieve would be in the context of off leash walking. Is it to try to keep the dog mentally out of a hunting drive? I am not sure that is really possible in that way. I have been taught that the way to keep your dog with you is to ultimately be the most interesting game in town. The reason I cannot walk Izzy off leash is that I have yet to discover anything even remotely as reinforcing to her as pursuing critters in the woods. I have had limited success with sprinting away from her so she can chase me instead, but it’s far from reliable. Nothing else even comes close. With Copper, I have been able to train him to be very reliable off leash in the woods in part because I started working on it when he was 10 weeks old (hiding from him, treats every time he found me or checked in, etc), and also because food is his number one reinforcement, and I’ve taught him that I virtually always have something yummy. He will hunt for critters, but he doesn’t obsess over it like Izzy. And, since he’s a lab he likes to retrieve, particularly in water… that activity puts him in working mode, though, which makes him more reliable off leash than anything else. All this has been really helpful for us in agility, too. The topic of the book interests me greatly, and I will certainly check it out.
Deanna in OR says
You wrote:
Our Border Collie, Tenaya, 7 years old, would be obsessive about retrieving if we would let her. Part of her training to retrieve has been a very solid “bring it back so I can throw it again!”, complete with a Sit in front to give back the item, and a circle around behind as it is thrown for her again (most of the time).
She has also been known to chase deer (or squirrels, or imaginary monsters, who know?) through the woods where we lived until two weeks ago.
Although we have worked on her recall continuously, positively, the ONLY thing that would bring her back immediately, every time, is a stick that we kept on the front porch–bang it on the railing, “I’ve got a STICK!!!”, and she will come running back every time.
When we walk off leash in the forest and come across a body of water, this obsessive swimmer/stick-chaser will stand in the water, ever hopeful that a stick will be thrown to swim after. Sometimes that is the plan (play with Tenaya swimming after a stick) but eventually the fun has to end…or sometimes swimming isn’t part of the picture (like when the creek is only 6″ deep!). The one sure way to get her out of the water is “I’ve got a stick!”, or throw the stick on land, and she will come right up to us to get it or bring it back.
So WITHOUT a strong retrieve (a true “retrieve”, that is, bringing the thing BACK to us), walking off leash with Tenaya would be a challenge at times.
Deanna in OR
Karissa says
If I were to bring any fetching agent (ball, frisbee, stick) along on a walk with my oldest dog, his entire walk would be spent bouncing backwards barking at me. How enjoyable is that? Actually, in his younger days (when we lived in an apartment), I would put his toy into a plastic grocery bag for our walk to the park or river and he seemed to understand that this meant the toy was off limits. Smart boy!
My middle dog is not intrigued by toys and there is generally no food on the planet that he finds better than exploring, so he stays on leash almost all the time. Thankfully he finds doing agility highly stimulating and chooses to stay with me for that! ๐
My third dog is still building her toy drive. She is getting to really like frisbees, is 50/50 on balls, but she LOVES sticks. I have found that the best way to work on her retrieving skills is to chuck the stick behind us and keep walking. She refuses to be left behind (she’s just naturally always stuck near me, just like the first), but also won’t leave her precious stick behind, so she has no choice but to “retrieve” back to me — and then I do it again. It’s helped her retrieving skills immensely.
Pike says
Ok, so I ordered “Chase!” for the sausage tree.
Also, because Ronja the Beahound (Beagle/Greyhound) is quite primal and very predatory when out and about and I am convinced that the book will hold lots of wisdom for me.
No need on my end to worry about throwing – or not – of sticks or balls. These non-animated objects are of no interest to Ronja when she is outside and only of very mild, short-lived interest when she is bored and there is nothing better to do in less tempting settings.
Claire says
Deanna, love the Stick story.. My 1- year old Aussie Callie will go FIND a stick if you tell her ‘stick’ , then bring it to you to play with . When she gets tired, she goes off and makes mulch of her stick! We have used this drive for sticks and raquetballs (which by the way are almost indestructible) to keep her from chasing cars and people. Its her ‘channel’ for energy.
Suzanne says
I guess I am in the minority, but I agree that throwing a stick or ball during a walk is not a good idea. I used to do it with my border collies, for the reasons already pointed out by others, but now I don’t think I did them any service with it. I don’t know Clarissa’s reasons, but I have two.
1. I don’t let my dog chase real sticks. I have had accidents – one dog managed to get a stick halfway down her throat, cut her up pretty good. Another dog bites off pieces of stick that lodge perfectly in the roof of her mouth, causing her to paw at her face in panic and leaving me to get it out. So I would bring one of those rubber sticks. And yes, they did stay near my when I had it, totally focused on the object of chasing. But what if I forgot the stick or ball? I lost that artificial tether and had a dog spending her entire walk searching for sticks and dropping them in front every step. Which brings me to reason number 2.
2. The dog spends the entire walk obsessing over the object being retrieved. I can play fetch in my back yard, and it takes a lot less of my energy too. So when I take my dogs for a walk, I want them to walk for the sake of being out, smelling new smells, exploring new paths. I want us to go for a walk together, and I don’t want to have to bend over every ten steps to pick up an object and toss it. And I want the dog to be walking with me, checking in with me, working on recall because that in itself is fun, not because I happen to have something she is obsessing over.
I do use treats, and practice recall all the time while we’re walking. And what reinforcement – not only do they get a treat for coming, but they also get to go run again when I release them! I just find this works better for me and my dogs.
Susan S. says
Years ago my dog Luna nearly pithed herself when she was running holding a stick by one end & the other end stuck in the ground. She stood there screaming with her mouth open with 18 inches of stick protruding. It went right up through the back of her throat. I pulled it out, felt resistance, saw blood, & took her straight to the emergency vet. Short version (& there’s a very long version) is that three (3) very delicate & expensive surgeries later she’s fine, but we no longer play with sticks.
I do live in the country now & we walk our Weimaraners Luna & Sallie off leash every day. Luna’s old & Sallie is young, so we often throw a tennis ball for Sallie as we go along so she can get the running she needs while we walk with Luna. She’ll ask politely for the ball to be thrown, & when she’s finally tired she’ll stop asking. It works for us. If there’s a downside we’ve never encountered it.
Amy says
I guess it’s all about balance: I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking my Aussies off-leash if the fetching/retrieving were the sole reasons they came back to me. I would want them to respond to ME first, and the balls/stick/floaty as a reward.
That being said, I admit that when we are in off-leash areas, I am more wary of dogs who don’t show an interest in fetching. To me, it seems like my dogs’ prey drives are activated with fetching and retrieving. It keeps them out of trouble and it keeps them from jumping on other people. For dogs who don’t fetch, I notice there is more of a tendency to “start something” with other dogs by interfering, challenging, or just trying to play. For this reason, I am more relaxed around retrieving dogs (who seem to mind their own business) and am more vigilant around dogs who wander aimlessly, looking for something to do. Most of the time, it’s not an issue at all.
Kat says
I’m about a third of the way through Scent of the Missing and I’m loving it. Some of her descriptions of the puppy antics have had me laughing until I cried and some of the search experiences have brought tears to my eyes for other reasons. She’s a very gifted writer!
I’ll definitely have to check out the other recommendation. For all of Ranger’s sterling qualities he lacks a reliable off leash recall. He figures as long as we’re within a few counties of each other it’s fine. He will come back just when he feels it’s time and as far as he’s concerned checking in doesn’t have to be more often than every hour or so. Given the bears and cougars that live around here I need much more frequent reassurance that all is well.
Donna in VA says
Although I do let my sheltie fetch a tennis ball for extra exercise at times, I don’t do this daily. I guess I think of our walks as part of his daily “job” or “work” for me, which is to keep me company while *I* exercise. (He doesn’t have a real job like herding sheep.)
I don’t use sticks because of the safety issues others have pointed out.
I am curious as to the factors that cause people decide that their dog needs another dog as a companion. I’ve debated this and I guess I concluded that my dog is happy as an only dog, but at some point I might like to have two. (He is almost 9 years old.)
Trisha says
I think the point is a good one that ‘chase and retrieve’ is very different than ‘chase and do whatever you want after that.’ Perhaps that is the key: using a dog’s love of chasing as a way to put coming when called, and stopping on cue is a great way to harness a dog’s love of the running after things. It can also keep him focused on you (sometimes to much, as some have commented). But running willy nilly (where did that phrase come from?!) after things, with no cues and no owner control could indeed lead to more trouble when a dog is off leash. And oh yes, I know of so many dogs who can become obsessive over objects on walks. I have to say “Enough, let’s go on a walk” to get Will to cease and desist from trying to play chase and retrieve.
And I wanted to add my cautions about using sticks for retrieving. I too have known of 2 dogs who have been badly injured running with sticks. The only sticks I’ll encourage Will to run around with are huge branches that are 4 inches thick and 2-3 feet long with no sharp points. He loves them, the bigger the better. . . apparently size matters in this case. But mostly I use toys (one shaped just like a stick!). . . we’re going to feature some on the website in a few weeks.
Sandy says
Have already read Scent of the Missing and can’t recommend it enough!! I loved it!! Fabulous book!
I also totally disagree with not using balls/sticks/etc as reinforcement. I have found that for one of my dogs fetching a ball is the absolute best reinforcement, she will even choose ball over food. How can that be bad? I even us the ball on leash, ie focus on the ball and not the squirrel, cat whatever and you get to carry it. Works for my dog! However, the downside is that she doesn’t explore and sniff while off leash because she is so focused on the ball so we have have been working on a cue for that, “All done.” We will see how it goes!
Also want to give you my support a thousand times with the puppy situation!! You made the best, obviously very thoughtful and informed decision for your family both human and canine. Sounds like you made the right one and can’t wait to see more pictures!
Jill De Rosa says
When I met my papillon for the very first time, he was 9 weeks old and he dropped a tennis ball in my lap for me to throw. Lucky is 8 years old now and is still obsessed with chasing and retrieving. Lucky has always been a very busy, bossy and mischevious dog. His constant need to retrieve gave me the opportunity to teach him a few tricks that have helped temper his enthusiasm and teach self control. He knows the command “toy front,” used if he drops his stuffed animal or ball out of my reach. He always obeys and brings it closer and is rewarded with another toss. He also responds to “ALL DONE” and will stop for at least 5 minutes. The best part of his need to chase (sometimes the cat but not too often) is that it keeps him focused and out of trouble when we are in the park, beach or in the woods. Pesky though he may be, he does not give in to distractions. Besides, his absolute love of retrieving his hedge hog, boomerang or tennis ball always brings a smile to my face. I think Lucky would lose his enthusiasm for life without being able to chase his toys.
Alexandra says
Good points about the cautions with sticks. I have friends who’s dogs have had accidents with them. Fortunately, my lab is from the school that believes that the bigger the stick the better, and he brings me what could be classified more accurately as logs than sticks. No chance of one of those going down his mouth!
Suzanne – I think you have a good point in that if you have the kind of dog that will absolutely obsess over fetching, then it’s not a good behavior to encourage. Especially not when you are trying to hike. Sounds like one of those “it depends” type answers, because my dog will leave the stick or tennis ball and come away from the water and resume walking when I ask him too. If he continued to pester me to throw something even after I’d said “all done” then I’d probably be doing things differently too. My other dog, the unreliable off leash one, doesn’t have any interest in chasing inanimate objects like balls and sticks – just tug with that stuff – so it’s never been something I had to think about with her.
Carolyn says
Because of your post about Scent of the Missing I recently read it and loved it. (I am a bit jealous that you got to read and review it so many months ago.) You’re right, her use of language is very descriptive so much that I felt like I was working through the prickly thorn bush running after Puzzle hot on the trail. Thanks as always for the recommendations.
Amanda & the mutts says
The more I learn about the causes of unilateral Hip Dysplasia and serious health implications associated with “dodge and dart” games owners often play with their dogs, the more I think my first dog playing fetch will be my last.
My GSDx was totally in love with the retrieving bumper (not surprising considering he grew up coming to work with me at a field Lab kennel). He would run full speed, slam on the breaks, and come racing back full speed. I always worried about him blowing a knee when he hit the breaks. When he was about 9 I made the rule that nobody was to throw the bumper for him anymore. Now, we hand him the bumper and play chase games while he runs one victory lap after another around the yard with it in his mouth. I wish this had been the way I always played with him.
Today, at 12, his knees hurt him and his lower back is tender. I knew he had a shallow left hip socket when he was young, but I thought hip health was all genetic and there was nothing I could do about it. I have since found out that is not necessarily the case. The idea that I could be responsible for some of his problems makes me positively sick.
Given the option, I would much rather buy a bite sleeve or lots of tug toys than encourage the dodge and dart games with my dog.
It doesn’t appear as though these are the reasons the author suggests such a thing, though.
I can’t wait to read Scent of the Missing.
Also, I find it so strange that the idea of someone returning a puppy that wasn’t going to work out could possibly be a bad thing. I would be hard pressed to provide the name of anybody I really truly respect in the dog world who has never returned a puppy. In fact, a good breeder I know of will even send puppies for “sleep overs” with people she knows who have other dogs so they can see how it goes before they even commit to buying. This is exactly how one of the breeders I’d like a dog from in the future got her foundation bitch – she had an older male and knew it had to be the right dog for the old man to be ok with it. It wasn’t until the second puppy that her old man fell in love with a gorgeous female who he figured was brought there as his own personal play pal. That bitch went BISS and produced 5 gorgeous puppies on their way to championships. Clearly, the old man knew what he was doing. ๐
Anne J says
I just heard the Scent of the Missing author on the radio and am just itching to run out and buy that book.
I have 2 dogs that are obsessed about retrieving. I do understand why some working dog people never train their dogs to fetch or play with them that way- because it becomes annoying when your dog is constantly bringing things to play with. But it doesn’t bother me that much and can be so useful in training. All you have to do is link the tennis ball with what you want the dog to do and they will jump through any hoop for you. I have been training one of my ball dogs to track and think he would make a great search dog except he doesn’t have the friendly cuddly appearance Susannah talked about wanting for her SAR dog. A huge black and tan Aussie probably wouldn’t be that reassuring to the lost person. But I have taught him to find my 5 year old son who likes to wander, just in case. Hank successfully found him after he went over to the neighbor’s house (with permission).
Anne J says
I meant to add that I don’t throw sticks any more. The last time was when my girl Cinder chased after one, it lodged up right in the ground and she pounced on it, pointy end going straight into the roof of her mouth. Her yelping was quite traumatic, seeing as how she normally shrugs off any injury. She wasn’t put off sticks by that experience but I was.
kate says
I’ll have to check those books out! I bring a ball, frisbee and tug toy in my walking bag when hiking. Ditto on the sticks although I use them as something for them to recall to and jump in the air to grab. Then we’ll play tug and then I tell them to “go play” and they race away. Just so coming to me is fun!
I will also pack a kong & treats for hikes to again…recall to me and once they do, I’ll say “find kong” and they’ll start racing around trying to find each their own. Or I’ll scatter treats for them to “find it”. Or I’ll even stand near mound of dirt hole and say “dig!” as if I just spotted something go into the hole. Just so recalling to me is exciting. I also walk them, bike them on and off leash so hiking isn’t all about off leash free for all.
I have 2 beagles & a crazy adolescent Aussie and they’re awesome at checking in with me on trails now. We live in the mountains, where you will see or hear of dogs gone missing so I’m very careful to have made checking in with me often fun.
barrie says
Currently really enjoying Scent of the Missing, it is a delightful read and for anyone who loves it, do also check out So That Others May Live for a pre 9/11 take on SAR ๐
I have a 7 year old JRT who I can take anywhere at all with me off lead so long as I have a ball, frisbee or tug to hold her interest. I am also very interested to know the reasoning behind not using thrown objects/prey drive as a tool to keep recall sharp and maintain the dog’s interest in the handler.
Emily says
I almost always use a thrown squeaky tennis ball as a reward for very good recalls with Mick. Quite frankly, it’s the strongest motivator I have in my toolbox of rewards (he’s completely ball obsessed!), and training strong recall would be tremendously difficult without it. Treats and tug-toys often get spat out or rejected entirely when I attempt to offer them to him in a distracting environment.
Having said that (I always read training instructions with a critical eye, so I probably would’ve disregarded that anyway), I’m very interested in the book for its ideas on building better off-leash skills. I am extremely paranoid about letting Mick off-leash, even though he has strong recall.
My nervousness stems (I think) from his natural tendency to range very quickly – he’ll normally stay close (his comfortable, “non-heeling” walk is within 2 metres of me), but I blink and he’s out 20 metres. He’s from extremely strong dual lines (his pedigree three generations back contains 13 field champions, including two national field champions), so his strong predatory instincts are expected! “Leave it” has by far been our greatest struggle.
barrie says
Ok went back and actually read all the comments and yes, the only two things I care about with a puppy are 1. come when I call you and 2. in drive/out of drive so I agree with the other commentors who are saying that fetch is fine as long as it is fetch and not go chase the object and do what you will after you get it.
As far as the stick thing, I don’t use sticks for the same reasons everyone has stated. As far as “what if you don’t have the object” well that to me is no different than “what if you don’t have the treats or leash” and either you have trained your dog to stay with you without the object/leash/treats or you haven’t. My jrt’s recall is solid without the object or treats but her general stay with Mom-ness is not such that I choose to walk her loose if I don’t have an object but she is also not at all picky about the object or the game. You can almost always find something for tug or throwing.
Nan says
I read Scent of the Missing and agree it is wonderful from a relationship, training, and writing perspective. I look forward to reading chase. I’ll be interested in her logic–I find in my own life that for me (and I think for my dogs) chase retrieve and wander and wonder (also known as off lead walk) are two different things and to combine them takes some of the joy out of wander and wonder. I’m enthralled by what my dogs pay attention to and enjoy as we walk off lead. If the toy were out the lab would be too fixed on that to really absorb her surroundings and the collie would be too fixed on chasing her as she runs with the toy.
Frances says
Neither of my two are particularly interested in toys – they will play in the house if there is nothing more interesting going on, but don’t really get the whole chase-and-bring-back thing. They love off lead walking though, and, like Nan, I love watching them exploring and discovering the world around us. We are lucky – there are lots of safe places to walk and run around here, including several rabbit warrens – Sophy the papillon is convinced that she is going to catch a rabbit one day! My biggest worry was that one of them might get stuck in a rabbit hole, but they don’t seem to be tempted. My two (papillon and toy poodle) are often accompanied by my neighbour’s Border Terrier – all three love roaming around in an ever-hopeful hunt for rabbits, but are very good about coming when called, perhaps because they know there will be another opportunity later. I live in England, though, in an area of farms and lanes, rather than huge wide open spaces, and they can chase after rabbits in reasonable safety. Ducks now … for ducks I put the lead on! Tiny fearless dogs, fast running water, and amazingly attractive water fowl are a risky combination!
lin says
Just want to add that if you get a chance to see Susannah at a book talk/reading, do it! I was able to catch her when she passed through Northern California, and she is an excellent speaker. Her program is very interactive, and she gives some great analogies/demonstrations with humans. Very warm and approachable.
LynnSusan says
Is it just me? I am terrified of walking Gracie off leash . Part of that fear may come from living in over populated, over trafficked New Jersey, but I am 3 houses from a Nature preserve. County ordinances require a leash, and with the wacky dirt bikers (also illegal in the parks) unruly kids, and unexpected, ungroomed bridle paths, I am afraid to let her off the leash, as a safety issue.
But I guess there is a reason God didn’t give me kids, am I over protective? Am I depriving her of some wonderful doggish experience? I was 25 years younger when I had my last dog–he went everywhere with me, including Maine vacations, and was frequently off leash. I have pictures of him romping in the estuary and tidal pools. I would be very chary about allowing Gracie to do that.
She has a fairly reliable recall—maybe 80%—after MONTHS of working on just that, she comes when I chortle: “TREATIES!” But last week when she unearthed a rabbit’s nest— she took off with the bunny screaming. No verbal commands worked. Finally, I had to lure her with chicken jerky (irresistible) and she did “Leave It” (Bunnies are all fine and have left the nest)
She has gotten out of the yard twice in the 2 1/2 years I have had her—both times I was right there and this last time she came right back when I called her. But I have the definite impression that I am a bad dog-mom. ๐
em says
LynnSusan,
For what it’s worth, I don’t think that you are wrong to avoid off-leash walking if you don’t have a place to go where it is safe and legal. Even though I personally walk my dog off-leash every day, I don’t think it is appropriate for all dogs or in all circumstances. That said, I hope you are exaggerating a bit-it doesn’t sound like there is any reason for you to feel terrified. ๐
I would also second some of what a few other commenters have said about the ball-throwing. I do throw a ball once in a while for my great dane, but it absolutely isn’t a big deal to him. He enjoys it as a game, but he doesn’t obsess. However, after observing some of his more object-driven dog friends in action, I think that I might make a conscious effort not to nurture obsessive fetching if he were so inclined. Obsessive dogs just don’t seem happy to me, and when poorly controlled by training, their behavior is often disrespectful (barking or jumping at their humans) or worse, dangerous (snatching at the object while still in hand, plowing after it into whoever might be standing in the way). I don’t think that this type of hyperexcited, uncontrolled behavior is ever productive. Even when the dogs are well mannered, really obsessive dogs seem sad to me because they don’t enjoy anything else-they don’t want to play with the other dogs, sniff the scents, run for pleasure, etc.
I definitely wouldn’t use the ball/stick/whatever as a crutch to make up for a poor recall. If something comes along that is better than a toy or a treat, bribery just doesn’t work.
Tina says
my mixed breed loves to chase and retrieve, but I believe would rather chase a live bunny than a tennis ball. One reason I don’t let her off-leash, plus she would chase willy-nilly (there’s that word) thru cacti and yucca and be full of cactus spines (and guess who would need to remove them?).
I sometimes drop the leash and let it drag (there are probably safety issues with that), then I can step on the leash while she is hot on the trail of a jack-rabbit. When it is busy rabbit/prairie dog season I can only get her attention if I am covered in chicken liver…
Her recall is much improved and she checks in with me a lot, but not knowing what drives her, off-leash is only for agility class surrounded by a fence.
Meganwf says
When I got my “real dog” vs my resident senior greyhound(s) I envisioned lots of off-leash hikes but the reality of a suburban area, doggy adolescent brain and me new to all this usually means a long line and lots of reinforcement for checking in. I’d love to someday have a a dog who stays
Christine K. says
I frequently walk with my dogs offleash as I am fortunate enough to have a number of safe and wide-open spaces available.
With my high-drive working-bred GSDs, I could easily use the ball to keep them close to me on walks–problem is, they’d never leave me. Instead, the entire walk would be with them at my feet or at heel, agitating for me to throw the ball again. As it is, I did an entire 2-mile loop around a lake with my Jubilee, and she spent most of the walk 30 feet ahead of me staring at me in case I might throw something.
Others of my dogs will drop into heeling attention and give me focused heeling with the hope I might have a ball in my pocket. I love the fact that he wants to work for the ball, but it’s not so successful when I’m trying to get him to go pee. ๐ So, when walking, I’d never throw a ball. I will throw a stick into water to get them to cool off, but I don’t throw anything once I’m actually moving again.
I don’t know the reason cited in the book, but I don’t throw things because I want my dogs to explore and sniff and play–not spend the walk thinking I’ve got a ball to throw. (Another reason is that throwing a single ball into a group of ball-crazy dogs leads to a free-for-all to get the ball, and intense maneuvering after the ball is gained, and I have to be aware of the group dynamics and selective about who is on that walk.)
LynnSusan says
I just bought another long lead on Sunday (the original one went the way of all the shredded leashes, harnesses and collars) This one is leather.
What precipitated it was really a manifestation of my fear about letting Gracie off leash. I was at a family member’s home, enjoying a meal on the outdoor, raised patio. Gracie was an invited guest. I tethered 3 6′ leashes together, and she was very good. Until, in this “no fences” neighborhood, a large Golden from down the way meandered into the yard. Before I had time to react (and Gracie saw him well before any of us did) she jumped off the porch,and broke her leash ( nylon is no match for 1oo pounds of muscled King Shepherd and velocity)
Gracie and the Golden became immediate friends and went on a romp in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Fortunately they never left the cul-de-sac and there was no traffic. Calling, clapping and running away from her did nothing. Luring her with treats, did nothing…Finally, I managed to collar her on a porch, and marched her back , while my cousin put the neighbor’s dog on one of Gracie’s spare leashes.
All’s well that ends well, I suppose (but that didn’t prevent me from having heart failure) So I spent some time (and money) on Dogwise and ordered some books and found a leather long lead.
It’s back to bootcamp for Gracie and me.
brandy says
LynnSusan: If it’s not legal where you are, and IMO even if it is legal, if you’re walking in a place where you are likely to come across a lot of other people and dogs, then you definitely shouldn’t be letting your dog off leash.
One of my pet peeves is when people either walk their dog off leash around my neighborhood or at the park down the street. I live in urban Chicago, and even the middle of the park is only a block from a very busy street! And even if you know that your dog’s recall is 100% and they’re perfectly behaved, it’s still rude and stressful for the people around you who don’t know that – one of my dogs is leash reactive; when it comes to other leashed dogs, we are doing a good job of working with her on staying calm and sometimes getting to say hi to them. But seeing an unleashed dog wandering around, I have no idea if that dog is about to try and run up to us unannounced and freak her out, or even attack us (both have happened). It makes me more stressed, which makes her more stressed. And there are tons of children in our neighborhood who are afraid of dogs and are scared enough of leashed ones, let alone ones that might run up to them at any second.
In short, you are doing everyone around you a favor by keeping your dog leashed, even aside from the safety issues for your own dog. I would ONLY ever recommend walking your dog unleashed if it’s a fairly isolated area.
J. says
Lovely trilliums!
As I have great faith in your recommendations, I ordered both books after reading this post, and Chase! arrived yesterday. Indeed, a charming book!
I must have been doing something right, because Tara (a four-breed mix, one of them a whippet, which makes her behave mostly as a sight hound) always looks at me first when she’s contemplating (during half a second) taking off after something. If I’m quick I can get her to come back instead of disappearing over the horizon.
Occasionally I let her go, I’m afraid I’m one of those people who reason that she’s not going to catch it anyway, and the moment she loses sight of whatever she was chasing she’ll come straight back at the same speed. Luckily she doesn’t switch to nose-mode to continue chasing!
We always do a lot of ball throwing, which she loves, and it works in the sense that it keeps her from scanning the environment for birds and hares. When she’s chasing the ball she’s more easily distracted by wafting scents than by things she sees (she has her eye on the ball, after all :)) – scents are probably more elusive, or more difficult to place exactly, so they don’t cause her take off at top speed.
Dan says
I’ve talked to Susannah Charleson online for a long time. Not only is her story telling almost poetry, so is she. I loved the book and had the pleasure of meeting her at one of her book signings where she put on fabulous presentation that went well beyond what I expected at the signing.
Even got a pawtograph from Puzzle.
Scent of the Missing is a must read in my opinion.
DebraS says
Highly recommend book “Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. Beautiful, beautiful book.
Susan says
I listened to Clarissa’s APDT talk on the subject of her book. As I understand it, her reasoning for limiting fetch/chase type games and activities is because of the release of stress hormones. Those hormones, the same that are released in genuine prey-chase activities, are also released during chase games. They build up and take time to go back down. Days, I believe. For a dog who is already a prey-chase driven, this just adds to the problem. Particularly when there is no time allowed for them to return to normal levels. Implicit in her talk is the supposition (possibility?) that you risk creating such a problem by excessively playing these games with a dog.
This is very much the same reasoning that I’ve seen from Turid Rugaas for limiting such games. (Turid includes agility and other canine sports, I believe, that Clarissa did not.) People who use fetch type games to exercise their dogs are often at odds with her advice also.
At least that’s my understanding of her position.