sept 22 2022
i am sorry to say the world has a terrible opinion of dogs.... it manifests itself in so many ways... like why do towns have a leash law and no dog park? i will bet good money, the first topic the anti dog people will mention is. poo .... wellllllllllllll we just had over 100 people here and had, with visitors, over 50 great danes on property, and not one "soft step". as i call that odd sensation of stepping in a pile of poo.
i like to think it is because we have the most efficient poo picking method... our process... both scooping device.. and plastic bag can be inconspicuously slid in your pocket with your cell phone.. #1 available ... #2 efficient around here we try and insist all staff and volunteers carry one in their pocket--- and we do not encourage the "i will get that later" syndrome.
after the poo problem... i would guess that the general public is basically afraid of the chaos an untrained dog can create.. here we go......
i took larkey to. the hospital with me... in a vest and collar.... he was perfectly behaved... 90%,,,, elevators, doors, down stays.... i have to admit he was a bit slow on the "back into that corner"... and could use some practice on that.... but all over he was excellent.
however........ the general public did not get a 90% -- i would have to say ... more like 35% -- most meant well. but.... stop grabbing at my dog please ! i went to get on. the elevator-- i was in a wheelchair-- so it gets complicated-- i told him to. go ahead get in so i could. stop the door from closing ..... i did not want to go in first and have the door shut leaving a paniced larkey on the wrong floor... so door opened and i let go of his leash and said go ahead....as he started thru the door, someone grabbed his short leash.. so he was half in the elevator and door will shortly close so i said "stop it" meaning the door... but larkey heard "stop" and he did.. causing about 20 seconds of "no not you.. go ahead... lookk out... let him go... and more look outs"
he follows really well in a chair... a little too well... because with those short leashes, his toes are close.. so i let go of his leash and he figures it out ----- now.....if you have a nurse who is not an experienced wheelchair pusher.... that can get exciting too. i think i would be better to bring my walker thing in a do it yourself operation.... i can steer and sit at random.
one person who had grabbed when he was following me down the hall could not believe he was "under command" so we talked a bit -----she had never seen a dog controlled by talking to them....and i explained , if i could not control him by talking to him, at 160 pounds, holding any leash was not going to be any good either.. wwwwhhhhhhaaaattttttt ? never seen a dog under voice control???? probably not... so starting yesterday..... i have been watching.... and aside from wanda... i have not seen any.
