How can a recall be dangerous? I never thought so either, until Kiara, my whippet, got bitten today. She was mingling with a crowd of dogs that didn't have friendly body language (neither did their owner). But she is usually very astute in handling these situations, using all the right body language to defuse tension and then to get away at the right time, so I wasn't concerned. At some point I thought it better to call her off. She responded, as she does, instantly and at speed. That's when she got bitten in her flank by one of the dogs. My guess is that I interrupted her at a point where she was still appeasing the other aggressive dog, but because she responds to the recall so well, she would have moved before it was safe to do so. So I've sure learned a lesson - don't interfere when dogs are working out what's what! I'm not sure what this experience has done to her beautiful recall. I'll only know once her wounds are drained and stitched, some $1000 of vet fees later ...
Daniela PelgrimI started my dog journey with Jessie, a small white fluffball bichon-schnauzer cross. She was trained in the traditional way by choke collar and praise via voice. After she died, Giro, my smooth collie, taught me how wrong this approach was. Kiara, my whippet, reaped all the benefits, and can't wait for her training every day, all day! Categories
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