I have been trying really hard walking Louis with his new halti and getting him used to seeing other dogs in the park, its been going really well.  But tonight it went a bit wrong and I'm just a bit frustrated - so I'm putting it on here.  Just to relax me a bit really.  the walk started really well, saw a dog coming towards us - on a lead not too close, we got nearer Louis barked once - I put my hand softly round his nose - told him no, he stopped I gave him a kiss and we walked on.  I thought fantastic.  We walked for another 40 minutes - no dogs close all a fair distance away off lead.  No problems still going well.  Then  went to get my son from the swings (not inside the swing area - dogs not allowed) called him, then a plane went overhead which Louis got nervous about, then three off lead dogs - separate owners came running towards him - he started to hop about a bit watching them - I tried to walk away whilst watching for my son - Louis got his halti off his nose and in between his jaws which added to me trying to change his direction really freaked him out.  The three dogs are still coming, I'm still calling my son, then a little girl wanted to stroke him - I said not now sweetheart he is a bit nervous at the moment.  So there I am trying to sort his halti out whilst still holding the lead as well, watch my son, watch the three dogs - asking two of the owners to call their dogs away - while I fiddled with the halti.  By now the grandmother of the little girl decided Louis must be a nasty dog.  One owner wouldnt call his dog away until I asked three times!   Nobody at fault I know just one of those things but frustrating because I am really trying to get him used to seeing dogs but I just cant ever seem to find any on leads ..................Never mind another day tomorrow - I'll try again.   Just in case anyone thinks - I am in no way saying dogs shouldnt be allowed off lead - I would love it if  I could allow them to come and play with Louis it is just too early days just now.

Take one step at a time and you will get good days and bad days. Hopefully the good days will happen more often ;)

Ditto with LJS, owning a dog is not always easy.  More importantly it is finding the right places to train and socialise.  You did a good job even though it was difficult, I can feel the panic as you were writing, but even though it was stressful you handled things well, wouldn't it be great if we could all buy our dogs off the shelf already trained and ready for a busy human life, alas not so, you will have good and bad days, try not to beat yourself up at the frustrating days tomorrow is always another day. :-)

thinking about it now it must have seemed quite funny really - the dog wasnt barking at anyone so not being aggressive - he was just jumping up and down like he was on a trampoline because he was freaked out about the halti being stuck round his teeth....