Radical Canines

More brags on my boys! This weekend I took the boys out for a walk with a friend’s family. She has a 1.5 year old son, who is pretty good with dogs but is still a toddler and toddlers are unpredictable which made it extra fun. I opted to muzzle both Rumor and Rugby (as I typically do when walking them together) just in case and Rugby wore his e-collar (on vibrate) in case he made any inappropriate choices regarding Rumor or the small child. I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with all the boys.

Ryder was his typical boy wonder self. My friend walked him on the way back and he was a little rude with the pulling but nothing too terrible. He was brilliant on the way out with myself and Rugby. He did well with the kiddo but that’s nothing new.

Rumor was awesome on leash for my friend who walked him on the way out. He initially had a few moments of, “I don’t know you” / “Mom’s too far away” but aside from that he settled in nicely and walked beautifully. Rumor has always been a little wary/nervous of kids. They’re unpredictable and move quickly, so historically he’s given them a wide birth with a little side eye but never done anything. I, of course, watch him closely and don’t really allow too much freedom around children, especially if I don’t know them well. He was phenomenal! I didn’t see any of his usual nervousness. In fact he barely even acknowledged the kid at all! It was so very nice to see!

Rugby was my rockstar. He didn’t make any inappropriate choices regarding Rumor, even when they were walking together with me on the way back. He also was great with the kiddo, who startled him a few times but he was 100% appropriate and recovered well. He struggled a little with the first dog we saw but was significantly better with the second dog we saw AND was awesome with all the people without dogs (just walking by but that’s really all I want from him). It’s so nice to see the things we’ve been working on continuing to pay off.

I don’t know if it’s COVID, or that it was a little cold, or maybe the muzzles on 2 out of 3, but no-one requested to come pet my dogs, or allow their dogs to “say hi” to mine. It was wonderful! I wish all my walks were like that!