Walking with Leo
Posted by John, March 11th, 2009 - under Canberra, Leo, Pets, Walking with Leo.
I love walking with my dog. As we enjoy the back paddocks I talk to Leo for 35 minutes or so about politics, economics and life in general. He is a good listener. Leo is a golden retriever and nearly 9 years old. He has begun refusing to walk. The vet says he is fine physically.So we think it is behavioural, perhaps a result of the hot weather a few weeks ago. I have taken Leo in the car to other areas for a walk. He walks for a little while then sits down, refusing to go forward, and returns to the car. Maybe he is slowing down (like me) so this, plus his association of walking with heat, makes him refuse his walk. Any ideas?
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Comments
Comment from John
Time March 12, 2009 at 9:04 am
Thanks Colleen.
I’ve tried all his treats, including his very very favourite one. And he even refuses to come to that when we are outside tying to go down the road to the back paddocks.
Refusing his treats is something I’ve never seen him do.
But if I do that when I take him out to a different spot? Yes, I’ll try that but I don’t think it worked last time in new surroundings.
I am taking him out in the car this morning to try a different walking path into the back paddocks.
Then I’ll try a new place this afternoon.
Hopefully one will work.
Comment from isonopoint
Time March 13, 2009 at 12:45 am
John, poor Leo is 63 years old in human years, just like the average age of “senior” leaders in that taxing organisation to which you often refer. Like them, he probably needs a good break from the daily routine so he can bounce back with some vigour and changed attitude. Don’t be a duffus, give him a break for a week or so and I’m sure you will see a difference. And don’t be a Mr Potato Head by taking him for walks that cover a distance that suit you rather than him. In this context, remember what another Leo once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself”. Bon chance à vous et votre chien.
Comment from John
Time March 13, 2009 at 5:57 am
Merci isonopoint.
(For the other reader, the name our contributor has adopted is a very very ‘in’ joke for those of us who work or formerly worked in that place that cannot be named, a place a friend and I call Voldemort Valley. isopoint makes a few other ‘in’ jokes.)
Leo has been on long service leave for 6 weeks now and quite enjoying it.
I took him to puppy paradise yesterday. (No, not that puppy paradise!). A lovely café near the lake in Yarralumla (just opposite the nursery) where dogs are welcome and I can have soy chai latté and chats with my friends.
Leo walked around near the tables, charming everyone and attracting kids to pat him. He got some exercise.
Ça va, cher isopoint? La plage est bonne?
Comment from Colleen
Time March 12, 2009 at 8:57 am
Hi John, maybe you take some of his favourite treats along when you go walking and give them to him when he starts to flag. That may encourage him to keep walking.