17.......... Let's Go!

The very first time and each and every time thereafter that I called/fetched Mac from the day he arrived home, I had said “let’s go”. (It was almost all I said to him!) This consistency became his recall and it is phenomenal! (I emphasise regularly how important a dog’s recall is). I had no idea what to expect when a rescue dog panicked and it is impressive to see him respond to "let's go!".

We have always taken advantage of living within a 10 minute walk from the beach and Emma looked forward to this as part of her Sunday routine (if there wasn’t a show). Even now that she is retired, this is something I needed to keep up and Mac, of course, had to join in. (I don’t do “single” well.)

This turned out to be really hard work. He put his head down, dug his paws into the ground and just walked! Like a person in a bad mood – he just stormed ahead! He had no idea where he was going and just pulled in the direction I had him facing. Anything or anyone on the pavement (including dustbins fixed to poles), would make him dart into the road; if a truck/bicycle/motorbike or even a noisy car went past he darted in the other direction and down the bank on the verge. (Hout Bay is not popular with immaculate sidewalks).

Once he became familiar with the route and knew where it was headed, he was in an even bigger hurry. Not the picture book Sunday strolls. This went on for too long and was just too risky so we resorted to driving down to the beach. This is the only time he “talks” in the car. The strangest guttural sound, progressing to actual barking.

Once there, he had a wonderful time. Not near the water, but space and dogs and dogs and space; and then stupidly (or not), I combined the tennis ball with the beach. (This was some time later as I waited until he was bringing it back to my path). Stupidly: he was so focused on the ball he stopped interacting with other dogs; not stupidly, he would always leave when asked to as I had the ball.

Having a reliable recall meant I could take him anywhere for a walk and off lead. He enjoyed all the new forest and mountain walks and the dogs he met along the way. He was always immediately responsive to a “let’s go”.

Today, I can call him off a squirrel - if he knew what one was, but it works with cars!

Just like every other BC owner, mine doesn’t chase cars, he herds them: he sprints (on the verge for what it is dodging rocks/poles/molehills) alongside the car for a few metres and then “barks and drops” when it gets away = herding. Thankfully only on the Estate. This ritual has been discontinued and a strong leave gets him to down and wait until it’s out of sight.

(It has been remarked that he thinks his name is “let’s go” rather than Mac as his response to "let's go" is instant!)


Mac and Me
C’est la vie