2-Dog Sled Ride

We were finally able to get out dog sledding a few weeks ago.  We just beat the January thaw by one day.  

This is Blaze (left) and Chance (right) taking you for a trip down our road before we try and turn around.  Going forward is great, but since we don't have a circuit to run, we have to go down a straight road and turn around.  After that it's just a tangled mess with dogs who think they are done pulling and in charge.  lol

Hope you enjoy!

or watch here;YouTube

One thing I love about dog sledding is it still gives me a rush that can't be matched.  It is an awesome time with the dogs, no matter what happens and it is just a thrill to know they still love doing it.  

And really that's what it is all about.  :)

Dog Sledding Lesson- Don't Let Go of Sled!

Our winter has been warmer than normal and that makes for heavy, wet snow which is difficult to sled through with our two dog teams.  We haven't got out once this year...

So instead we wanted to show you one from last year with Chance and Blaze pulling Mark through the wooded area across from our street.  Mark isn't very good at controlling the dogs, as you'll see he almost panics when he takes off.  And today's lesson is, don't let go of the sled!

The video's about 7 minutes long and you can watch here on YouTube 

Self teaching dogs?

Now just do as I tell you Zappa!

So do you have dogs that do this?  Fiona and Zappa are the only two that have figured out how to practice their own training AND get extra treats.  

So lets say Fiona goes over to the door to bark at Blaze from behind the door, I catch her and tell her "leave it," she turns, gives me eye contact and walks away from door towards me.  Click and a treat.  Then she turns around and goes back to the door, so that I have to tell her "leave it" again.  And we run through the same scenario   This also happens when there is food I want her to leave alone. 

 Shhh...just play innocent!

And I don't know if Zappa figured it out before Fiona or learned from watching Fiona, but he will do the exact same thing.  And they are the only two that do that.  When I have treats out, the rest of the dogs won't walk away to get another one, they sit right there without moving.  Now who's the smarter ones out the two groups?  :)     

It's comical and frustrating at the same time.  Because here I am after one "leave it" and having success, I look up and Fiona or Zappa is going back for more.  Guess I'd better work on my focus and getting their attention for a little longer.  BOL!  Yes, they are always teaching me and keeping me on my toes.  And I love them for that!

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On another note:

I'm starting to get bummed.  This was our third weekend of no dog sledding.  Just when we were starting to get in the groove!  The roads are too icy and I know March weather makes it ify to sled with all the freezing and thawing, I was just hoping with the snow and the cold it would hold off just a little longer.

So we took extra walks this weekend to make up for it.  I can tell Silver's back legs are starting to get a little stiff from not being able to sled.  But all hope is not lost, we live in Michigan and as we say "Don't like the weather?  Wait 5 minutes and it will change."

I hope we can get out just one more time...

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And on the cat blog we're asking...

How does your cat handle going to the vet?

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