Any friendly doggies around Surrey/Sussex?

Hi guys,

The main reason I joined this site was to find out about walks and things in our local area.....We seem to experience either one of 3 things on every walk we go on and it quite gets me down!

1. We see no one
2. We see someone with a dog, but that dog isnt friendly and the owner doesnt even look at you when you walk past
3. We get chased by farm dogs

We live in the middle of nowehere surrounded by farms and farmlands- there are so many lovely bridlepaths and footpaths right from our door, but everyone here keeps themselves to themselves - including their dogs who are either fairly aggressive guard type dogs or have more than one and they act like a pack. Or the person wont even greet you never mind their dog!

My poor Zulu is only 13 months old and has been attacked 5 times by offlead labradors whilst he was minding his own business on lead. We've been chased down the road by an Alsation who's gate wasnt closed properly and even today chased down the road by a yapping, growling terrier of some sort! It's beginning to knock his confidence, which is a real shame as he does enjoy walking with other dogs but we just cant find any nice ones who want to be friends!

Are there any doggies out there who would like to be friends for weekend walks? We're really close to Dorking/Guildford/Horsham/Crawley/Leatherhead - those sort of places.

Thanks!!

Naomi and Zulu X

Hi Naomi.

Poor Zulu ~ he's not having a lot of luck making new doggy friends is he ?

I have 2 friendly labs & live in West Sussex. I use a hydrotherapist in the Crawley area & sometimes walk at Buchan Country Park or St Leonards Forest.

Is Zulu neutered? If so, I'd be happy to meet you for a walk sometime. If he's not neutered then I'm afraid my male (neutered) lab would probably have a bit of a shout at Zulu! Barney's not keen on young "upstarts" with their tackle but is usually fine with neutered males.

Hi!

Yes he is neutered - fairly recently though - about 3 or 4 months ago. It would be great to build up his confidence with some nice dogs for a change! At the moment he is just at the wary stage and I think some positive meetings will really really help him go back to where he used to be - which was always very submissive and playful. He has been out with a black lab since the run - ins, and he was a little nervous and defensive at first, but once they started walking together and Zulu realised there was no threat to him he was dead happy and they trotted around all afternoon together! When he stays in kennels the girls always tell me how he's been playing with the other dogs and they always use him to get the ones that need exercise out! So I know he just needs a chance to meet some nice dogs and we will be well on our way again!

Crawley is only about 15 mins from me, I've heard of Buchan park - can't for the life of me remember whereabouts it is - but thats just a minor obstacle! That would be great though.

Well I'm very happy to give it a go

I can't promise that Barney & Wilma will be too playful (they're bot about 7 years old) but I can usually tell in the first few seconds if Barney's not going to be ok. But the worst he does is put on his dark brown bark & shout a bit My other dog is a female black lab x & she's fine with all dogs as long as they don't try to hump her ~ humping is the ultimate in bad manners in her opinion!

Buchan Country Park is only a few mins from Crawley town centre & i can give you directions when I get a minute to download a map. I'm just about to leave work now so running out of time.

Let me know what date suits you best & I'll try to fit round that.

why not go on one of the boxhill dogsey walks?

Thats good actually, I'm glad they're older as dogs his age just want to play and play - he just needs some gentle socialisation again and not be jumped all over! The last time he was jumped on was by a dog trying to take his ear off! So some nice "mature" dogs I think would be perfect.

Definitely willing to give it a go and see how they get on! He's normally very good with girlies, and he's not a barker so shouldnt annoy Barney too much! He's always on lead so he wont be jumping all over him too! How about next weekend?

Tupacs2legs - yeah I'd love to join a Boxhill walk! I organised one for Rescue Remedies and the staffy club last year which was awesome and we raised some good money! Will be nice to do it socially too!

How about organising a social Rescue Remedies walk? Lots of the volunteers have their own dogs or would be willing to pick up a kenneled dog I bet, and it would make a nice day out for some of the kenneled dogs rather than just the usual walk. Plus lots of the volunteers are based around that area so you'd have a nice range of local walks taht each of them know

I can do this Sunday (27th) if you like? Can you make it about 11ish ~ gives me a chance for a lie in but I can be back in time to cook a late lunch

Here's a map http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?...66574822550853.

As you drive in, there's a car park, then you walk across a bridge over the A264 into the park. I'll meet you near the entrance to the small shop/toilets just before the bridge. I'm the one with a black lab x & a yellow lab ~ hopefully both sitting quietly by my side!!

What car do you drive & what colour's Zulu so I know who to look out for?

If you can make it I'll PM you my mobile number in case of last minute delays/problems. If this Sunday's not convenient, (or it's peeing down!) I can probably make it the following weekend.

And if you can meet up with the "Boxhill Crew", they always seem to have a lovely time ~ would be well worth it

Yeah we should be able to do Sunday!

I drive a Silver (but EXTREMELY dirty) VW Polo 52 reg, and Zulu's red with a white chest - quite a big boy.

I would love to do more walks with RR - i used to volunteer walk there but my hours at work changed so I just couldnt get there in time in the afternoon so it would be nice to see all the old time doggies again.

Ok, see you there. I've sent you a PM with my details. Look forward to meeting you & Zulu