Leader of the Pack

The Adventure Pack

Everyone had a lot of energy today.  There weren't many others out on the trails but we came across a couple Golden Retrievers who everyone was excited to meet.  Mogul did some dancing and dodging with them and when they were walking by Coco made a lot of noises filled with excitement.  Benny and Rucksack were also happy to greet the passers-by.  We headed up the gravel path from the Chautauqua parking lot today and then up toward Enchanted ...

The Adventure Pack

What a wet, muddy day!  All of the pack members periodically shook themselves off to try to keep slightly less soaked.  At one point, Wesley and Coco shook off in unison while Benny stared at them.  Then, Benny gave me a prolonged look before shaking himself off.  I wonder whether he was thinking, "Why don't you shake yourself off?"  Rucksack carried a small stick for a little while then decided to really chomp down and break it into bi...

The Adventure Pack

The trails were busy again today, with some big groups of young kids.  One boy said Benny looked mean because of his wrinkly face, like he was scowling; another said, "I think he looks cool!  They all look like cool dogs."  Coco got a little spooked by all the noisy kids and she let out a few barks but she came right down a fork with me and let me put her back on leash before we continued on.  Rucksack trotted along happily and Wesley follow...

The Adventure Pack

Toskey and Rucksack explored off leash together on our way up the First Flatiron today.  They mostly stuck together, although Rucksack sometimes lingered behind to sniff around a bit longer while Toskey caught up.  Coco and Mogul got their turns off leash on our way back down.  Mogul's tendency to hang back seems to increase when we're going down switchback and he can see the rest of us from up above.  Coco, on the other hand, likes to play ...

The Adventure Pack

Todsy was a great day for hiking!  Everyone behaved especially well today.  Even at the beginning of the hike, there was almost no leash pulling by any of the pack members.  Wesley and Benny started out off leash together today, and then Coco and Rucksack enjoyed being off leash on our return leg.  It's nice to feel like I can trust all of the pups to behave themselves again.  Coco found a big stick that she was very proud of and Rucksa...

The Adventure Pack

Everyone got a chance to be off leash again today and everyone did a good job of staying around me and listening when I called to them.  There was one hiccup when Benny was drawn a ways off the trail by a scent and came back with a bone.  Once he came back he was very good about coming right up to me rather than playing keep-away.  I had him drop it and put all the dogs back on leash for a minute to bring them away.  Mogul, Coco, and Rucksac...

The Adventure Pack

For the first time in several weeks, every pack member got a chance to be off leash during today's hike.  Everyone also behaved very well during their off leash time, too!  We went up the First Flatiron today with Welsey leading the way and Benny following right behind him.  Later in the hike, Coco picked up a piece of dead wook and Rucksack's attention immediately honed in on her.  They walked side-by-side, sharing it for a little while bef...

The Adventure Pack

Benny followed Wesley around for the most part during today's hike.  At one point they were standing side-by-side on the trail just up ahead and they each glanced back over opposite shoulders to look at me.  I wish I had my camera out to catch it - it was really cute!  Rucsack didn't carry any sticks on today's hike but he did find a pinecone up on the First Flatiorn to bring down with him.  Coco usually tries to steal Rucksack's sticks but ...

The Adventure Pack

Coco spent some time off leash with Rucksack on the hike today.  They really like to wrestle around with one another.  They didn't wander far off like they had been doing when they were last off-leash together a few weeks ago, which was great!  Later on, Mogul had fun dashing up to each of them in turn and giving them a spook.  Toskey carried a small chunk of wood along for part of the hike then left it behind after she chomped on it a bit a...

The Adventure Pack

The trails were packed today.  Wesley and Benny romped around together a bit when we came by some open space without people around.  Rucksack found a thick stick that he carried briefly before dropping it.  Coco snatched up the stick afterward and carried it for a long while.  She was very content with her prize and seemed completely unconcerned with anything else around.  Once Coco got the stick, Rucksack became interested in it again ...