Well, that's just the start! Duster has a long list of things he would rather do without, and joggers are pretty darn high on that list. Now, we just so happen to live in an area (Cambridge, MA) full of healthy young people who want to stay physically fit. We also live right by the Charles River, a year round favorite spot for joggers.
Every time we take Dusty for a walk, we have to be prepared to cross paths with men and women out for a run. For whatever reason, Duster thinks people running towards us pose a potential threat. We can kind of understand that; if we were a dog, we might find it a bit alarming, too. Duster is a BIG dog, and a bark or worse, a lunge from him can be pretty scary. We feel it's our responsibility as his loving guardians to keep him safe and keeps others safe, too. As you'd imagine, however, there aren't many runners who want to volunteer to help us get to the bottom of this problem. So, we have become masters at the art of crossing the street. The funny thing about runners, though, is that they seem to come out of nowhere! So, Dusty stays on a short leash, and we stay ever watchful.
We have no idea what Duster's life was like with his previous owner. Perhaps he lived in an area that wasn't pedestrian friendly, and there just weren't any joggers around. It could just be a lack of socialization. It could be something specific to his breeds (GSD/Akita). We are working with a great behaviorist, and we are taking it a day at a time.
If you have a dog (rescue or otherwise) who has "problem" behaviors, you know how harrowing, hair-raising, and sometimes heartbreaking it can be. You make progress, only to have a setback. It is slow going. Is it worth it? YES! Duster may not like joggers, or Golden Retrievers, but he LOVES being alive and being safe with his people. He is a loyal, loving dog and we feel it is our duty to be worthy of that loyalty. There are no easy answers or quick fixes. We know Duster would never give up on us, and we won't give up on him!
ok, you just make me laugh. All I had to read on FB was "Duster isn't fond of joggers either". You had me there. I chuckle because it sounds, once again as I posted yesterday, like my beloved Mika who I lost last year. She just had a way of picking WHAT she didn't like. No rhyme or reason. I just don't like that. I don't think she and I doubt duster mean any harm they just don't like it. Simple as that. I adore duster from the little I read. Keep on sharing and keeping me laughing. Hilary :0)
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