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What training my chaotic dog taught me about power, control and human beings?

By William Davis. Read by John Robbins.

When I carried my beautiful two-month-old puppy into our home for the first time,

I couldn't have imagined the scene six months later, as I led her through my local park,

experiencing such a toxic cocktail of emotions, guilt, regret, powerlessness, that I had tears in my eyes. It was a walk that many

dog owners will recognise as having gone badly. My exuberant dog, Dusty, had approached another

dog that did not wish to play with her. This shouldn't have happened. I should have been able

to call her back. Maybe I should have been able to call her back.

Maybe I should have just kept her on the lead.

Maybe I shouldn't have got a dog in the first place.

Dusty started barking, jumping and circling the owner and her dog at high speed.

Do you want to have a dog fight?

The owner asked curtly, while I lunged around on the ground, all dignity jettisoned.

My dog just wants to play with yours, I protested.

But mine doesn't want to play, she replied.

If you just let yours off the lead for a moment,

I countered. I think mine would calm down. I promise you, she's not aggressive. Her reply,

So what do you call this? Checkmate. As the seconds and then minutes passed, with Dusty still evading my reach,

I began to wonder how long this might go on. Would the police have to be called?

...