It was Jd's first time to join us in Bruce's training session and it was Harvey's 2nd.
Harvey was there when Bruce got assessed in Better Dog Behavior Center. Based on professional observations, Bruce was so fearful and shy that he got his confidence from Harvey. Whatever Harvey does, he follows and if Harvey's not around, Bruce shuts down. So for a couple of weeks, as recommended by the trainers, I had to bring Bruce in public without Harvey just so he gets more exposed and be more independent. I didn't intend to bring Harvey in Bruce's training sessions. And on the first day, we had forced to leave Harvey at home even if it broke my heart.
But on the 2nd day Harvey invited himself by getting inside the car. He sneaked up on us and made his way through the bushes. When we opened the car door for Bruce, Harvey immediately came out of nowhere and jumped in. He is such a smart dog that he knows if something's fishy and if that something involves a dog excursion. Of course in any dog excursions he has to be there. I couldn't bear to make him stay. I made a decision to bring him along. If he gets too unruly, we'd stay in the lobby.
But he wasn't. He was so proper and observant while Bruce was being trained. Bruce didn't even notice Harvey while he was at work. There was no problem after all. I decided to bring him along on he next training session. And JD decided to come along as well.
We parked in front of the facility and got the dogs out of the car. We were trying to get Bruce to do his "business". Karla was holding Bruce, I was holding the bags and JD was with Harvey. While baking under the sun for a few minutes, I just saw Harvey pulling out from his collar and aimed for freedom. It happened so fast, but I felt I was on slow motion. The image of Harvey getting out of his collar nerved me to death. I screamed and attempted to run after him. Bruce barked and Karla screamed as well. The next thing we knew, we saw JD dove into hard cement just to keep Harvey from going far.
An american couple and a trainer were shocked and wanted to help. They congratulated JD for his fast reflexes, but I had to take a step back and keep my heart from racing. Jack Russells are fast dogs. They're natural hunters and they're stubborn. I've read in some forums that Jack Russells are always for the hunt and they won't stop until they get it. Some JRTS do not go home for three days just because they are hunting for something somewhere. Harvey has that kind of damn-the-world trait. There were times Harvey would escape from our house and we would move heaven and earth to catch him. And it was in a secured street in the village. I couldn't imagine him running around in Chino Roces Avenue.
The truth is, if JD didn't dive and catch Harvey, I have every reason to believe that I might not see Harvey again. Either we lose him completely or he gets into a car accident. It was a wake up call for me. It was a wake up call to not bring him if there's no dedicated person to look after him and do not test new collars when out in new territories. Dogs react differently in public. They're more curious, aggressive and wild. One has to use the right and proven accessories for their own safety.
After collecting my sanity, Karla called me and told me that JD got injured. I saw blood dripping from his knees. He literally scraped himself with that intense dive. He had a look on his face like he couldn't believe it was happening. Harvey got injured too. Both of his inner thighs also have bleeding wounds because of the impact. Of course Harvey was being ignorant about it, but we were so worried. Special thanks to our caring teacher, she had ordered us some Betadine to disinfect their wounds.
I couldn't appreciate more what JD did that day. With his quick thinking and athletic abilities, he ran, dove and was able to capture Harvey. He saved Harvey's life and I would always thank him for that. If Harvey got away from me, I wouldn't have been able to do what he did. I know now not to get my sentimental feelings over my better judgment. Bringing dogs in public, no matter how used they are, entails big responsibility. They have to be at some extent protected with a focused person looking after them. Situations differ from time to time, dogs may surprise you with their actions and humans must be prepared to control it. We were not in control awhile ago.
It was an unfortunate experience for JD, but it was a major wake up call for all of us.
Harvey was there when Bruce got assessed in Better Dog Behavior Center. Based on professional observations, Bruce was so fearful and shy that he got his confidence from Harvey. Whatever Harvey does, he follows and if Harvey's not around, Bruce shuts down. So for a couple of weeks, as recommended by the trainers, I had to bring Bruce in public without Harvey just so he gets more exposed and be more independent. I didn't intend to bring Harvey in Bruce's training sessions. And on the first day, we had forced to leave Harvey at home even if it broke my heart.
But on the 2nd day Harvey invited himself by getting inside the car. He sneaked up on us and made his way through the bushes. When we opened the car door for Bruce, Harvey immediately came out of nowhere and jumped in. He is such a smart dog that he knows if something's fishy and if that something involves a dog excursion. Of course in any dog excursions he has to be there. I couldn't bear to make him stay. I made a decision to bring him along. If he gets too unruly, we'd stay in the lobby.
But he wasn't. He was so proper and observant while Bruce was being trained. Bruce didn't even notice Harvey while he was at work. There was no problem after all. I decided to bring him along on he next training session. And JD decided to come along as well.
We parked in front of the facility and got the dogs out of the car. We were trying to get Bruce to do his "business". Karla was holding Bruce, I was holding the bags and JD was with Harvey. While baking under the sun for a few minutes, I just saw Harvey pulling out from his collar and aimed for freedom. It happened so fast, but I felt I was on slow motion. The image of Harvey getting out of his collar nerved me to death. I screamed and attempted to run after him. Bruce barked and Karla screamed as well. The next thing we knew, we saw JD dove into hard cement just to keep Harvey from going far.
An american couple and a trainer were shocked and wanted to help. They congratulated JD for his fast reflexes, but I had to take a step back and keep my heart from racing. Jack Russells are fast dogs. They're natural hunters and they're stubborn. I've read in some forums that Jack Russells are always for the hunt and they won't stop until they get it. Some JRTS do not go home for three days just because they are hunting for something somewhere. Harvey has that kind of damn-the-world trait. There were times Harvey would escape from our house and we would move heaven and earth to catch him. And it was in a secured street in the village. I couldn't imagine him running around in Chino Roces Avenue.
The truth is, if JD didn't dive and catch Harvey, I have every reason to believe that I might not see Harvey again. Either we lose him completely or he gets into a car accident. It was a wake up call for me. It was a wake up call to not bring him if there's no dedicated person to look after him and do not test new collars when out in new territories. Dogs react differently in public. They're more curious, aggressive and wild. One has to use the right and proven accessories for their own safety.
I couldn't appreciate more what JD did that day. With his quick thinking and athletic abilities, he ran, dove and was able to capture Harvey. He saved Harvey's life and I would always thank him for that. If Harvey got away from me, I wouldn't have been able to do what he did. I know now not to get my sentimental feelings over my better judgment. Bringing dogs in public, no matter how used they are, entails big responsibility. They have to be at some extent protected with a focused person looking after them. Situations differ from time to time, dogs may surprise you with their actions and humans must be prepared to control it. We were not in control awhile ago.
It was an unfortunate experience for JD, but it was a major wake up call for all of us.
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