Believe it or not, while we were at the beach, the dogs could not have cared less about the seabirds. They trotted around and for the most part ignored them! At one point Phoenix did decide they might be fun to chase but I was able to immediately call her back. Thanks to Premack!
Phoenix half hearted attempt at chasing the birds was a great opportunity for me to practice calling her off prey. The birds were not in any danger and they really were not all that bothered.
As soon as I called Phoenix she immediately turned back and came. The birds landed right down where they were. It wasn't any worse than the birds taking off to avoid cars that were driving on the beach and everyone was fine. As you can see, Zoe did not care at all about birds and was busy sniffing.
I love the beach so much! I hope we can go again soon!
Have you ever taken your dog to the beach? Did they like it?
My last day of being off leash was squashed by birds. We were on the North Sea. I would chase them and come back to Mom, but this one day, I realized there were more birdies down the beach, and more, and more. Finally I was only a dot on the horizon. We were with a friend, so Mom and our friend circled around and finally managed to wrangle me up, but it was a good half hour. Since then, only off leash in fenced areas. I don't really mind most of the time and it keeps Mom more relaxed. You are a trainer and work hard at it. We are also hounds who love to stray, so we choose to stay on leash.
ReplyDeleteEmma, I know your pain. The girls can be that way about bunnies sometimes! Ya win some you lose some! Zoe and Phoenix don't care that much about birds because they know that they will just fly off it's not as fun as something that can't get away! We have to be very careful where we let them off leash, too because at the end of the day, no matter how much training I've done, they are still dogs. Sometimes dogs do dumb things! It's definitely our job to make sure that you pups stay safe.
DeleteWe go to the ocean quite often. My dogs love to roll in disgusting dead things so we have to do some exploring before we go off leashl
ReplyDeleteAwww, how fun and some great shots too. I linked this post to Awww Mondays.
ReplyDeleteHave a woof woof day you two. My best to your mom. ☺
Great shots! Nola's favorite beach activity is chasing birds. It's how I reward her for off leash heeling or recalling to me. If she comes, she can go right back to chasing.
ReplyDeleteCalling off prey? Is that REALLY pawsible? I told mom I cannot do that!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm & Bark On!
Murphy & Stanley
It is definitely possible it just takes a lot of work with training! :D
DeleteThe birds certainly didn't look too put off! We're not very close to our seacoast, so the dogs have never been there. I would love to take them some day. We'd have to work on some things first though!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the birds really didn't care! Plus the dogs know they will just fly off so it was pretty much a half hearted attempt! LOL! The beach is so fun! I hope you can make it out there some time!
DeleteI LUV going to da beach!
ReplyDeleteGood dogs! Good trainer!
ReplyDeleteI love walking on the beach and Lilo loves investigating the smells -- although sometimes she is horrified by them! I watched her alternately bark and poke at a horseshoe crab she'll for HOURS once.
Thanks so much! <3
DeleteOh my gosh that is so funny about the horseshoe crab!!! :D
Amazing photos! So beautiful with birds and doggies! <3 Happy loves to chase seagulls at the dog beach. He gets so lost in them but never even get close to catching them. :) So cool Phoenix came back right away! Such smart girl! <3
ReplyDeleteDear Phoenix and Zoe,
ReplyDeleteYou two look very pretty on the Beach! We LOVE the Beach too, especially big sandy ones like this that we can run on!
Ojo did two recalls off of a raccoon she had cornered yesterday. She is very proud of this. Our person is very proud of her too. But I say hrmph, because I didn't even bother the raccoon in the first place. Doesn't that make ME the Good Dog?
Sea birds are fun to scatter! But recall is fun too!
Licks,
Cobi