It’s National Squirrel Appreciation day on the 21st January 2020.
Nope, I haven’t gone crackers well maybe just a bit.
Here’s some interesting squirrels facts; they are amazing creatures, that can leap 10 times their body length and turn their ankles 180 degrees to face any direction when climbing.
A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing and they zigzag to escape predators.
I bet you didn’t know all that dear reader.
As a child, I used to love watching them run around at Kelsey Park in Beckenham and hand feeding them nuts (cheeky).
Dog do love chasing Squirrels.
Our first German Shepherd, Ben chased a squirrel in the woods. I think I was about 10 or 11 years old.
My mum found the little squirrel. It looked injured so my mum put the squirrel in her coat pocket and took it home. It didn’t bite her. After waiting for 3 hours, the RSPCA came and collected it.
I have walked many dogs who would enjoy barking at the tree where a cute squirrel swinging from branch to branch.
Clever squirrel would know full well, there’s no way they would be able to catch them. They would tease them even more.
There’s other dogs who would run off in the woods like Ben did, trying to catch these speedy creatures. The dog might get lost and the poor owners running around the woods, like headless chickens searching for their beloved dog.
Sound familiar?
What if you could get your dog’s attention instead of the Speedy squirrel?
It really isn’t a myth.
Here’s a few tips;
- Find something he loves. He could be a toy, treat or even fuss. It must be something he would go through fire for.
- Take it with you next time you are at the park or woods. Make sure you show him what you have.
- A few times during the walk, call his name to get attention or wave something he loves in front of him. Don’t call his name more than twice. He will learn to ignore you.
- And then say ‘Come, then reward him.
- If you do this a couple of times, he will realise every time he comes, he will get a treat and learn something good happens.
- If you have a dog that takes the treat and pisses off. Continue giving him a few more treats one after the another, He will get the idea if he hangs about he will continue getting something good.
Try it for yourself.
Does your dog listen at home but seems to go deaf in the park?
Are you nervous that your dog will get attacked by another dog or hit by a car when off lead?
Would you love your dog to come back first when called?
Then sign up below for my 6 tips to a reliable recall.
Appreciate your squirrels by teaching your dog a reliable recall.
I’m off to put a lead on it
Harriet x
