It was lovely having the sun today, but infuriating from a dog walking point of view.

I knew all the parks found here would be too busy to let the pupster off lead, so took him to a quieter area this evening - one where you only come across dog walkers for most of the year.

He's hit that teenage phase where his recall is starting to weaken, especially when he sees other dogs, but usually he doesn't stray far from me. Until tonight.

Suddenly he bolted off like a bullet. Completely deaf to me shouting. He'd scented the deserted remains of a bbq in the far distance. By the time I caught up with him he was finishing off a packet of raw sausages, but I don't know what else he'd already had. The idiots had left everything scattered over the grass. Umpteen bottles, loads of food and 2 disposable barbecues. Less than 10 feet from a bin.

Grrrr.

I knew the picnic season would be a trial this year with a youngster as hungry as mine, but I didn't think it'd start in march.

I don't have a problem with my dogs snaffling left over picnics ( they don't do it if told to leave ) but i can't get over how dirty people are with their leavings. Every summer it's the same, all the so called " beauty spots " are littered with crisp bags, left over food, plastic bottles and dirty nappies, dirty disgusting mingers .

Please be very careful, a friend lost her dog when a discarded wooden skewer picked up at a country park pierced her stomach last year. It didn't show up on an xray, very very sad.
Paula

We get teenage boozers on our local rec,they just throw their bottles and cans from where they are sitting on a bench,despite there being 4 bins on the place.And of course if you dont pick up at least the bottles,they ll get smashed,causing a hazard for dogs,and children alike.
But from a different tack,nice as the warmer weather is,it does bring people out-being slightly antisocial(or shy,whatever!)Im finding myself hardpressed to find somewhere peaceful to walk,especially today,it being sunday! However,,I do find myself sometimes enjoying the odd chat,when Ive not been able to escape so maybe it ll do me good!
I hope you can resolve your lads recall probs,I know how that feels,having had a few probs with 9month old River,just keep plodding on with practising(like me!)and good luck!

Thanks Pam - yes, mine is almost 10 months so we're at the same stage. Up until 2 months ago I'd felt quite smug about how great his recall was, but it's been a gradual decline from that point and yesterday was a shocker so I'll be stepping up the training from today and introducing a whistle. I was simultaneously impressed and appalled at how far away he could smell those sausages.

The summer weather definitely encourages a more sociable atmosphere, which I had been enjoying too (I'm not the most outgoing person either). It's just a pity many people can become so inconsiderate after they have a few drinks. There are so many bottles dumped and broken in the parks in good weather when they are only ever moments from a bin, and it's not just teenagers doing it.

Yes Celli, the disgarded nappies seem to be on the increase (along with all other rubbish). People leave them in the most bizarre places.

On the shelving in a pet food store is surely the most bizarre - and disgusting.

Ah, it's not just the picnickers who are out and about - the Lover and his Lass are out in the green cornfields, and the woods too, much to the surprise of innocent dogs lol!  Sweet lovers love the spring and all that.  But they do leave their own brand of trash around. 

On the shelving in a pet food store is surely the most bizarre - and disgusting.

Good god, do people have no shame !, makes you wonder what their homes are like.