I’ve always shared my life with dogs. We had cross breeds and Lancashire healers when I was a child. As an adult, In the early 70s, I had a spaniel from a neighbour. For the next 40 years, we rescued various cross breeds. I adopted a huge labradoodle who died last summer, aged 12. Fabulous dog, very intelligent, high prey urge, standard poodle independence, working lab energy levels. She helped me find a good trainer or she’d have been chasing deer for ever.
All my dogs have excellent obedience and recall. Currently, we have a young show type spaniel and 14 week old Labrador. He’s my first pup in years and full on.
I can’t imagine not being able to let my dog’s run free most days. The pup of course can only have 15 mins currently but he had a great time off lead with the spaniel this morning. Her recall is solid and of course he’s either at my side or with her, so is quickly learning to come when called.
I don’t want to grumble but- I do wish people would train their dogs. It builds a bond between dog and handler. It’s also the least we dog owners can do. My two were on lead when a young French bulldog ran up jumping all over them. The owner appeared, laughing and inevitably shouting ‘it’s alright he’s friendly’. She had to invade my space to get her dog who ignored her. She found it very amusing and was cross when I told her she was fortunate my spaniel is patient, that not all dogs would tolerate her dogs behaviour, especially with a pup in the mix