This morning at 7.00am as normal on my days off I took Sal for a walk in the park off lead and again was struck "jealous might be a better description ;) " of people whose dogs potter never far from their owners no mad running-diving in mud- down hills.
     So my question is will mine ever POTTER she's 17 months old now and a Stafford and has always been allowed off lead so nothing new, when a "teenage" she did go on a long line for a whil but recall improved dramatically since the introduction of the whistle, and the passing of a few months, she does excellent sit stays waiting for her ball to be thrown not moving until told even when the ball is thrown, we train in the park downs/finds/sitstays etc.
     When did yours stop acting nutty, and just potter?
Karen
 

Purdey potters now - but it did take until she was nearly 10 before I could be really happy and not keep shouting & whistling at her to come back :D :D :D    Even last year she would still have some mad moments.....

Now I just make sure that she comes back with us.

Margot

You've made me feel guilty now Margot :(
I should enjoy the "excitment of youth" and your post has reminded me of the walks I have taken in the past with my previous Staffs, when they were old and just pottered  about, then I used to envy the people who passed us with a youngster, and sometimes shed a tear because they had happy yearrs ahead of them. Odd isn't it maybe the grass isn't always greener!
Karen 

Potter? You mean they can potter? ;) Kali is 11 1/2 and still runs about like a mad thing. :D Though I'm not sure if she can hear me anymore at a distance :) she still acts like a 2 year old. I think her mother started to potter when she was 13 :D

Personally I have found it to be mostly determined by each dog's personality.  Some of my terriers, even as youngsters, have always preferred to crowd around my heels...whereas others, even some oldies, would insist on making that break for freedom as soon as they have the space... ;)

My 10 year old bitch never potters in fact she never walks, she only has two speeds asleep and bat out of hell. True she is not a Staffie but she is not a dignified old lady either. :)

My 12 1/2 year old bitch still doesn't potter - sorry :(

I didn't know staffs pottered either.  Mine are complete idiots at ages 7 and 6 they are like puppies themselves and love to run.  Jasper only stays near my side if we are near a river or lake, he hates water unless he's having a bath. 

Sorry to dash all hopes and dreams :)

Well thank you all. My hopes of having a potter are dashed to the ground.
Karen

Depressing isn't it?! Mine are 2 and one and they rarely walk when off lead, they run, virtually non-stop. I do envy all the older dogs that seem to potter near their owners, but i wonder if i will ever get to that stage. One of mine is a BC, and watching crufts agility finals i noticed that most of them were in double figures! Theres no hope!! ;-)

I have spoken to my Mom and she said "don't you remember Sam was still chasing the crows at 15" Strange how your mind plays tricks on you isn't it? I wouold swear he pottered, or was it just me????
Karen ;)