FranVT Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 (edited) Yes, I love my town. It seems like every time I go for a walk something happens. And yesterday was no exception. I took Luuka and Atlas (wow walking 2 dogs is hard especially when one is still being leash trained ) down to the Ski Gardens, a section of the riverbank that's grassed and has some boat / canoe ramps, BBQs etc. Atlas loves to get in and have a swim here (on his lunge lead) so I was standing in the shallows, he was having a little swim (not too far out because he didn't seem to want to stray far from Luuka) and Luuka was splashing about in the shallows having a merry old time. We wandered a bit further up the bank and then I noticed this border collie-ish cross hanging around. I shortened Atlas' lead (he wanted to go and have a sniff) and ignored the dog and kept going up the grassy bank. This dog followed us a few metres away for about 200m and Atlas was very distracted by it, because it kept making sudden lunging forward movements to catch us up, it wasn't just walking along beside us, it would stop and stare for ages then run to catch up which Atlas found very weird being behind him. Luuka didn't seem to care too much. So then seemingly without warning, this dog launches itself at Atlas and jumped on him. Atlas snarled but didn't bite or snap. I told the dog to get and put Atlas in a drop-stay which he went into immediately. The dog wouldn't bugger off so I cut my losses and started back to the carpark - I didn't want Luuka to get a fright. The dog followed us, quite close, the whole way, and there was nothing I could do because I already had 2 dog leashes. I asked a group of people who the dog belonged to and they pointed to some people fishing off the carpark area. I was a bit cranky by this time as Atlas was pulling on the lead and trying to get to the dog. When I got to the group fishing I said "hey guys, is this your dog?" and they said "oh nah mate". I said "oh no worries, must be a stray, I'll just take it to the pound" (I had no actual intention of doing this). I opened my car door and motioned for he dog to jump in, which he nearly did. That changed their tune and they said "oh that one yeah sorry he is ours". And I said "right, well how about you keep it on a f**king leash like you're meant to, because it just followed me and my dogs and made our walk pretty unpleasant, before jumping on top of my bull terrier which he didn't really appreciate". And they told me to "f**k off and mind my own business" which is what I was attempting to do anyway. I got in my car and called the ranger, making sure they could see I was on the phone. We have so few nice places to walk in this town, why do wankers want to ruin them? On the upside, in the paper today there's an article about good socialisation for dogs and the need for training to help with problems, with all the dog obedience club details! Glad I've already booked Luuka in for puppy preschool, I reckon there could be a good turnout this year! Edited February 2, 2010 by FranCQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conztruct Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Fran, that's terrible but typical considering here - I think it's the same in a lot of other towns as well unfortunately.... But good on Atlas for super obedience, I know it's not the issue but it's very reassuring for you to know that in these types of situations, your guys are going to be able to cope and be under control. Stupid people with their dog loose - I totally understand though - I can barely walk up the street here without someone's dog rushing us As far as I'm concerned you did the right thing, although I probably would've just called the ranger without asking anyone so that hopefully when they turned up and people wanted to claim it, they just get fine - LOL. I know it seems quite mean but I'm sick of irresponsible people ruining things for everyone else especially when they tell me that their dog just wants to play while it's snarling at mine....whatever...... Is obedience starting soon??? I'll grab the paper cos I want to start my two Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 Yeah I know what you mean, it's really bad around here, pity our council is so useless too. Here's the number for dogob, beginner's not puppy preschool: 49276137. I would call asap because of the newspaper story! It's so great that you're coming! We'll be in different classes obviously but we can catch up before/after anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 On the upside, in the paper today there's an article about good socialisation for dogs and the need for training to help with problems, with all the dog obedience club details! Glad I've already booked Luuka in for puppy preschool, I reckon there could be a good turnout this year! Great to read something positive. And it's good to write a follow-up letter to the editor, giving the paper kudos for publishing the article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 Great idea! Shall do! I'm actually glad someone did this "for" me, because I was really nervous about doing it, though it was my intention to... I wanted to ask the dog ob club's permission to mention them first but the lady who they interviewed is the vice president of the club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetty Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I think you handled the situtaion well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Okay here is what I've written as a letter to the editor in response to the article. Feedback please! "I would like to personally commend The Morning Bulletin and Hayley Webb for the article about the importance of socialisation and obedience classes (TMB 20/1) for dogs. I have taken our English Bull Terrier (an often-misjudged and misunderstood breed) to both puppy pre-school and beginners-intermediate dog obedience training and the change in his personality has been phenomenal. He walks on a loose leash, obeys commands and is much calmer. He also recently protected me during a potential home invasion which, thanks to him, did not escalate to cause myself, the perpetrator or my property any harm. I cannot thank and praise the volunteers at Duthie Park Dog Obedience enough for all the help they have given my dog and I to become a great team. I highly recommend them to anyone in town with a new puppy or even an older dog whose behaviour is becoming out of hand. They are patient, friendly and knowledgeable and, best of all, they use positive reinforcement techniques and do not condone “punishment”. There is absolutely no excuse for unruly dog behaviour in this town with these wonderful people giving up their time for such a small fee. Every single time I walk my dog or take him to a public place such as a beach or the Ski Gardens, I am bound to have a negative encounter with an off-leash, uncontrolled dog. It is only through good training of my own dog that we have both come out of these mostly unscathed. I can only re-iterate what Ms Stankiewicz has said: please socialise your dogs, please take them to dog obedience, please supervise your children with dogs and most importantly please walk your dog on a leash!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsBex Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Nicely worded. And love the bit about threatening to take the supposed 'stray' to the pound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Lol I knew it was their dog but they were just hoping I'd go away I told the ranger about it and he thought it was funny too. He is a pretty cool guy actually, pity about his colleagues / assistants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percyk Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 yuk some areas seem to have this type of mentality the only thing id have done differently was not swear i think that just adds to the situation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 Yep, I tend to break out the swears when I'm really cranky, it's a foul habit I was at the end of my tether after being harassed by that damn dog for hundreds of metres But yes, swearing is yukky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 Okay here is what I've written as a letter to the editor in response to the article. Feedback please!"I would like to personally commend The Morning Bulletin and Hayley Webb for the article about the importance of socialisation and obedience classes (TMB 20/1) for dogs. I have taken our English Bull Terrier (an often-misjudged and misunderstood breed) to both puppy pre-school and beginners-intermediate dog obedience training and the change in his personality has been phenomenal. He walks on a loose leash, obeys commands and is much calmer. He also recently protected me during a potential home invasion which, thanks to him, did not escalate to cause myself, the perpetrator or my property any harm. I cannot thank and praise the volunteers at Duthie Park Dog Obedience enough for all the help they have given my dog and I to become a great team. I highly recommend them to anyone in town with a new puppy or even an older dog whose behaviour is becoming out of hand. They are patient, friendly and knowledgeable and, best of all, they use positive reinforcement techniques and do not condone “punishment”. There is absolutely no excuse for unruly dog behaviour in this town with these wonderful people giving up their time for such a small fee. Every single time I walk my dog or take him to a public place such as a beach or the Ski Gardens, I am bound to have a negative encounter with an off-leash, uncontrolled dog. It is only through good training of my own dog that we have both come out of these mostly unscathed. I can only re-iterate what Ms Stankiewicz has said: please socialise your dogs, please take them to dog obedience, please supervise your children with dogs and most importantly please walk your dog on a leash!" Sent this letter on Wednesday, really hoping it gets printed. The council here are running free puppy preschool and dog obedience classes which I think is a bit of a joke actually (not sure if I've already mentioned that) because there is already the service listed above where TRAINED volunteers run CHEAP (not free - just enough to cover photocopying and electricity costs) classes, the council ones are run by the PAID animal control officer who is NOT a dog trainer. So it was with mixed feelings I read an SMS to the editor (can you believe we have that?) today in the paper saying "Tried to book in with the council's new free puppy preschool class but they said I couldn't book in over the phone, that was after being on hold for 7 minutes on my mobile. I live 40km away and I'm not going all the way into town to register in person. Ridiculous." I texted a reply saying "Come to the dog obedience club at Duthie Park, the phone number is easily found and they will take your booking over the phone, it's cheap but not free and actually run by trained volunteers not paid ACOs. See you there!" So hopefully the incompetence of the council hasn't stopped one person's excellent intentions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Well done, FranCQ. Obviously you can't leave Rockhampton ------- the place needs you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Haha thanks MM! Just got a call from the paper, telling me my letter is approved and will be printed soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Just got a call from the paper, telling me my letter is approved and will be printed soon Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Feels good, doesn't it. Congratulations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackiemad Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 thats fantastic fran, and good on you for putting yourself and your views out there in the public domain (especially when the public you are putting yourself into seems to be full of knobs!). the only change i would have made to your letter is that it wasn't a 'potential' home invasion. that man came inside your house and threatened you and your property with a bottle, didn't he? just because you had the good fortune of a wonderful dog in atlas and him happening to be drunk it does not make the situation any less of an actual home invasion... i would still be a mess if it were me that had been through what you experienced if only every dog was as wonderfully trained and controlled as atlas - but you are doing your bit in rockhampton! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 thats fantastic fran, and good on you for putting yourself and your views out there in the public domain (especially when the public you are putting yourself into seems to be full of knobs!). the only change i would have made to your letter is that it wasn't a 'potential' home invasion. that man came inside your house and threatened you and your property with a bottle, didn't he? just because you had the good fortune of a wonderful dog in atlas and him happening to be drunk it does not make the situation any less of an actual home invasion... i would still be a mess if it were me that had been through what you experiencedif only every dog was as wonderfully trained and controlled as atlas - but you are doing your bit in rockhampton! Had to laugh at the knobs bit - they sure are! You're right. I ummed and ahhed over that bit. The way my house is set up.. ahh bugger it gimme 2 secs ... Okay here's what the layout is: I was sitting on the couch facing away from the veranda watching TV, he came up the stairs to the veranda doors and only sort of went a little bit inside them (red dot), I didn't go past the front door that leads onto the veranda ... so 'home invasion' seemed like a stretch. I dunno. I am still a bit messed up over it, when I'm home alone and Atlas barks at something I jump out of my skin, haha. Wow that was a lot of effort just to essentially agree with you wasn't it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Haha thanks MM!Just got a call from the paper, telling me my letter is approved and will be printed soon That's fantastic. And a good example for the rest of us....we really should take the time & trouble to write a letter or make a phone call to support good info that's got out to the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakeydoak1 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) Well done fran - good job. I would probably still be messed up too! poor bugger. Lucky you have atlas PS HOw did he get his name? Edited January 22, 2010 by oakeydoak1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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