SLED BRAIN

 Chance and Blaze last winter

I've got dog sledding on the brain.  Once a week I've been walking the dogs in pairs and practicing turn commands and they are coming along.

Well then I got the hair brain idea of taking Chance on my bike, my. two. wheel. mountain. bike, because my three wheeler has a flat.

My husband just looked at me and said, "You did what?  With Chance?  Any dog but Chance."

That's because Chance is the fastest dog and the strongest.

Obviously I made it back in one piece, although I don't have a clue how I stayed upright.  White knuckling it I suppose.  BOL!

It was a hell of rush splashed with terror.  All in one.  But we did it.  AND...we even ran into a family riding bikes and Chance did really good staying on track for the most part.

Chance was pissed when I made him turn around, he wanted to keep going while I had went as far as I was going.  BOL!

It was good practice though.  I can't wait to get on the sled!!

Zappa, my Champ

Champ Zappa and I after a good run

The air was cool, the sun lowering and it was a perfect evening for a bike pulling ride with Zappa.  Special thanks to http://www.dogbarkcollar.com for making this post possible.

Now Zappa loves the bike, he may never be too crazy with the pulling a sled in the snow, but the bike is just his style.  In this short window of fall that we have in the north, every moment counts.  I took him out about three days ago and it was just right that we should take another ride together.

He is always excited when he sees the harness, but it isn't until I ask him if he wants to pull that he sits down and lets me put it on.  Getting him attached to the bike is usually quite the chore, I can't keep him in one place and I'm usually constantly untangling him, but tonight we got all hooked up with little trouble.  I asked Zappa if he was ready and he starts down the driveway slowly while I hop on the bike.  I almost forget to pedal to help him get a good running start and we are off.  He picks up the place and is flying like the wind.  There seems to end to his energy.

Together up the hill we climb, he runs, I pedal, we cross over to the dirt road but I make the trip shorter than usual.  I just want him to stretch his legs and build up those muscles.  So I tell him to turn around and he does without a hitch.  I'm so excited, most of the dogs haven't been able to catch on to this very well and I have run into problems, but Zappa handle it like a champ.  He was slower after we turned around but still at a good steady pace.  My husband who was near house called Zappa and Zappa got his second wind and began to pick up speed.  He carried that steady pace right up to the driveway.  You'd have thought he had won a race I was so excited.

It was a great learning experience as always and it was great fun.  Hopefully in a few days we will be able to try again.  And look, here's a little video of our return.  Hope you enjoy!

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Calling out to Cat lovers everywhere...

Check out Boxer's latest injustice of living in Muttville on the 

36 Claws of Attitude.  

Doga, Bike Rides, and Water Aerobics

I was doing my morning stretches and such and Brut was laying on the floor, so I did some yoga-like poses over him.  He actually stayed in place.  Earlier in his life he would have freaked out to be in such a submissive and vulnerable state.  It was different.  I stroked his fur while I hovered and he nibble my neck and arms.  It was relaxing and very interesting for both of us.  When I moved he gently got up and walked away.  It is always such a treat how calm he can be and that we actually can calm each other.  When we can both be such an anxious mess more times than not.

I took a short bike ride today.  By myself.  I've had a bike for a couple of years that has been in need of another pedal for just as long.  I think my husband didn't think I was serious about riding again, but we finally got a pedal and he put it on for me.  I really needed to get away from the house and dogs and do something physical alone.  I'm not in any shape for a long jaunt, but I did several laps up and down the road and through the small trails where we walk the dogs.  It really felt good just to break away for a while.  And when I came back, I didn't even feel guilty for not taking any dogs for a walk.  :)  I'd eventually like to take the non-pulling dogs,  Silver and Fiona, to run with me on these bike rides.  But until I get new brakes, I'm going to enjoy my alone time.  :)

Chance did his water aerobics today.  It was a blast! 

(Click HERE if you can't see video)

The boy just loves water!

Chance, My Working Dog

As the weather gets cooler, the dogs get friskier and it becomes a chore to walk them.  This is the time I start incorporating pulling into their routines. 

Yesterday I had Chance pull me on the bike.  I decided to take him by himself, because one dog is easier than two and I wanted him to show me what he had.  He took off into a strong run with no problem for the first quarter mile.  When we got to the next road he went between a run and a strong trot.  I encouraged the trot because running through the neighborhood there is the possibility of another dog out running loose.  We lucked out, no dogs.  Turning him around was difficult, but easier with one dog.  Now came the real test, was he going to get back in the groove of pulling after the turn around?  He did.  He began to pick up speed and continued running and trotting.  My goal, other than hanging on for dear life, was teaching him to slow down, stop and go.  All of which he did fine.  We turned down another road where we had to turn around and he did even better on the turn around.  It helped that I didn't come to a complete stop for our U-turn, and it began to click in what I was asking him to do.  He only stopped a few times and he brought me home safe and sound. 

I really let him run the show by encouraging what he was already doing.  If he was trotting I would praise him for what he was doing.  If he was feeling comfortable running I would encourage that as well in the same way.  I haven't used much in the way of commands, except for stop.  He knows what "Stop" means walking and he is beginning to make a connection what it means while pulling.  All in all it was a good, safe ride and one I would like to continue working with him on. 

I'm learning right along with him.  This is all still very new to me as well.  Chance's work attitude helps in completing a task with him.  He takes all his jobs very seriously and is a great student, making me want to be a better teacher for him.  Even with one dog it is amazing how fast they can run and I find being pulled a little scary. The speed makes me feel out of control and it doesn't help going through the neighborhood either as I find myself concentrating on Chance more than what's going on around me.  This is why I try to encourage trotting because it makes it easier to scope the area and keep an eye on Chance.  I'm beginning to see real potential with Chance.  I am amazed with his commitment to his mission and how he takes his responsibilities seriously.  He is like that with everything.  The boy is dedicated which makes him a real joy to work with.      

Chance and Blaze bike pull

Our dog pulling bike

In the last week I have been able to have 2 different sets of dogs pull me on my three-wheel bike.  Believe me it's sturdier than a two wheeler with a couple of untrained dogs. 

My first jaunt out was with Chance and Blaze.  They were both excellant about getting ready and when they took off, I hung on for dear life.  We went at top notch speed for about 3/4 of a mile until they knocked it down a couple of notches and I could catch my breath.  Two dogs is the most I've done, I can't imagine mushers that run with teams of 4 or more.  I think I'd have a heart attack. 

Since we are traveling down the road through the neighborhood, at any given time there can be cars, people, or other dogs and with them running at top speed and worn out brakes, that means I must control things with all my might. 

We were lucky the coast was clear tonight.  One struggle of having the dogs pull is having to turn around to go back home.  There are no blocks to go around.  Stopping to turn around breaks all the momentum and drive and usually means a struggle to get going again.  Blaze has always giving me a hard time after we turn around, but this time she started running again and Chance followed, which was rather interesting.  Since usually I practically have to drag them home after we turn around.  I would love to take them to the park one day and see if they could/would run the trails out there that are in a loop.  I'd like to see how they would go when given the chance to keep moving forward.  I think that would be awesome. 

I've found in watching Blaze and Chance run togehter, that even though Blaze has the natural pulling talent and her body seems designed for it, Chance would make a better lead dog than Blaze.  Chance is a worker.  He takes his job seriously and is always ready to follow instruction.  Blaze on the other hand is running for the freedom of it.  She is great at setting the pace, but is too "wild".  She is constantly on the hunt and understands all too well her freedom being on the other end.  I had always thought for the longest time that Blaze would be the perfect lead dog, but not at this point in time.  She still needs to be harnessed and reined in before she could ever take the driver's seat and she is not ready for that.  Whereas Chance has a solid head, knows he has a task to complete and is ready to execute.  Between the two of them Blaze is the instigator.  She starts the problems and Chance joins in.  She smart enough to manipulate him into doing what she wants.  She also tries these things with me, but I'm usually on to her and don't let her get away with it.

Isn't it interesting the different dynamics between dogs and their personalities.  How they learn from each other and their roles together.  I think it is fascinating how dogs from the same litter all are completely unique and alike and how their make up may be as near or different as the next.  All this time I thought Blaze was a perfect match to be lead dog when it looks as though Chance "the follower" would be better suited at the role than Blaze.  I never would have thought that, if I hadn't witness what I did with taking them out for a bike pull last week.  Simply amazing.

p.s. Sorry no pictures of dogs in gear or pulling.  I was a one woman show that night and timing is everything.