Jasper

[Hemlock]

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I have no sense of direction either. So when I get lost and people who have a s of d ask me where I've been, how would I ever know?

 

[JudyN]

I did once ask Jasper 'Find car', but he just peered under bushes and behind trees, presumably thinking I'd hidden the car somewhere nearby as a game. I'm wondering whether he also didn't know how to escape from the impenetrable thicket yesterday either, or whether he thinks of me as all-knowing so assumed he should follow my lead.

 

[Finsky]

I must have come from 'woodland fold' blood lines...I'm very comfortable and able to wonder around in woods or any unbuilt landscape...but put me in city and I have strong sense of direction that each and every time proves to be wrong!? But still I managed to navigate a month through the Europe without many maps. That was before any of these fancy phones and computers existed...and yet we still managed. It has become norm that when I go out with the dogs, I try to find new areas and paths we've not explored before. Not only dogs find it so much more exiting and enjoyable, but it does seem to satisfy them more and even a shorter 'new' walk (than trampling though the known walks) will have bigger, more positive effect to their behaviour.

 

[JudyN]

One of the saddest things I heard was when I told a woman who had a few dogs that I usually let Jasper choose where we go on walks, and she asked me how he could tell me where he wanted to go seeing as dogs can't speak. They can tell us so much if we just listen, we can have whole conversations about where to go.

And it occurred to me there's a reason Jasper understands 'We'll have to go back the way we came.' I said it more than once before we escaped from the thicket!

 

[Tinytom]

One of the saddest things I heard was when I told a woman who had a few dogs that I usually let Jasper choose where we go on walks, and she asked me how he could tell me where he wanted to go seeing as dogs can't speak. They can tell us so much if we just listen, we can have whole conversations about where to go.

And it occurred to me there's a reason Jasper understands 'We'll have to go back the way we came.' I said it more than once before we escaped from the thicket!

I think that is the difference between a dog owner and a dog lover ...all of my dogs tell me what they want in their own way ...they dont have to talk that is the beauty of loving your dogs your become in tune with them ....

 

[JoanneF]

That is sad @JudyN. And I do the same, let T choose the direction. It's his walk after all.

 

[JudyN]

And what I like most is that if I say we can't go that way, J can tell me that he really, really wants to go that way and I can decide whether to let him have his way or if I really need to pull rank - and as long as he knows I have heard and understood his request, he will accept my decision with good grace.

Though we did have several lengthy Mexican standoffs before he accepted he couldn't always have his own way!

 

[arealhuman]

Ah it's not just me then! Jimmy always take us for a walk, both in terms of length and direction. He also tells us if he wants to go another way - he will slow, and look where he wants to go

 

[Hemlock]

It's incredibly sad that some people don't understand what their dogs are telling them.

 

[Flobo]

Though we did have several lengthy Mexican standoffs before he accepted he couldn't always have his own way!

This sounds like me with some of my dogs, especially my Airdale!! I was stood with her on a narrow path next to a road last week, up near devils dyke, she wanted to walk in the road( an odd quirk she has always had) and I deemed it too dangerous as it may be fairly quiet up there but some cars still go too quick and there is nowhere to get out of the way. So we stood for quite a while while she contemplated my reasoning then decided to come with me, and with that good compromising, the last bit of the walk we did on the road on the safer bit!! It does make me laugh though when people see you and your dog just standing there and generally presume they are nervous or something

 

[JudyN]

So we stood for quite a while while she contemplated my reasoning then decided to come with me...

The best bit of advice I had, from Hemlock no less, was 'Take a book' I think it really helps that you end up with the dog making the decision for themselves, rather than you.

We've had an issue with Jasper where he can react when Mr N gets up to go to bed at night, after I've gone up. We've changed our schedule so we both go together, and this works, as long as J goes out for his last wee at the same time as we go to bed. Last night was interesting, though... J asked to go out soon after 9pm. Judging from the aroma in the room he needed a poo, but in his mind, he'd decided this was 'last wees'. So when we wanted to go to bed, and for him to go out for what we thought should be last wees, he got really bolshy. Every time I said, 'Garden!' he gave me some verbals and looked really rather threatening. So then I said, 'OK, how about.... Kitchen!?' He trotted happily into the kitchen, like a little lamb, and then went out into the garden for second last wees with no further aggro.

Did I ever mention that he's a bit of an odd dog?

 

[Hemlock]

"Changing the subject" as you did there, JudyN, is a really good way of getting animals to co-operate. I am fortunate that I was very involved with horses before I ever got involved with dogs. Horses can create bigger dramas at greater speed, and (mostly) hurt you more while they are explaining they don't want to do that.

 

[Flobo]

"Changing the subject"

Yes sometimes that one works for me, if she's having a 'sitdown' moment( and unfortunately I am on a bit of a time schedule as I generally have 2 or 3 other walks to do after her!), I sometimes point to someone in the distance, in the direction we need to go, and say 'omg who's that over there, shall we go see??' in a very excited tone and mostly she can't resist it as she is a nosey bum too! My new one also is I can feel when she's about to plant her butt down and I instantly sit down before she does and then she changes her mind and walks on.. I often think if anyone watched me walk her they must think I'm an absolute nutter especially as I'm generally conversing with her this whole time too!

I do love reading about Jasper @JudyN , it does make me laugh, as well as so feeling for you with him ageing...and at times things sound quite familiar...

 

[JudyN]

My new one also is I can feel when she's about to plant her butt down and I instantly sit down before she does and then she changes her mind and walks on..

Haha, I like that one!

 

[arealhuman]

I know what you mean about people thinking we're nutters when out with dogs - I always talk to Jimmy when I'm out with him in the early morning - oh it's wet today, it's cold today, where do you fancy going? Etc etc etc. This goes on the entire walk, obviously with different conversation points ;-) Ultimately it ends up in "bloody hell Jimbo, get a move on, it's wet/cold/you've sniffed that bit eleventy million times" :-D

 

[JudyN]

A few pics of the lad. His favourite game at the moment involves him holding the rather battered old ball, choosing his moment to drop it, then I have to try to kick it before he grabs it back again. He usually wins, because I really don't want to kick him in the teeth!

He looks so old in the second photo, but very distinguished!

 

[RGC]

A few pics of the lad. His favourite game at the moment involves him holding the rather battered old ball, choosing his moment to drop it, then I have to try to kick it before he grabs it back again. He usually wins, because I really don't want to kick him in the teeth!

View attachment 111980025 View attachment 111980026 View attachment 111980027 View attachment 111980028

He looks so old in the second photo, but very distinguished!

He’s beautiful. So handsome. Therapeutic.

 

[arealhuman]

Your pictures are awesome as always @JudyN, but you have a great subject

 

[Flobo]

A very handsome gent indeed, lovely!
I always think there is something really special about pics of our more mature companions, beautifully aged (even the one eyed, toothless scraggy ones) love them all!!

 

[Hemlock]

"Distinguished" sums him up exactly. There is a great aura of dignity (even if you know better). I bet he has a velvet smoking jacket.