Leader of the Pack

Adventure Pack

Mamacita still shies away from the CamelBak, but eventually we'll get her used to it.  Benny wandered off the trail down a hill at one point and Milo followed him.  When I got to the ridge and saw them, Benny was licking his lips.  They both came when they saw me and I called them back.  Rucksack and Roger Roger went without sticks today and stayed pretty mellow throughout the hike.

Play Pack

Charlie found a playma...

Adventure Pack

Sputnik had another day of very good behavior as he didn't growl or even stare at any of the other dogs we passed on the trails.  Rucksack was actually the most intensely focused on passers-by out of the whole pack but he has always been good at greeting other dogs in a friendly and non-confrontational way.  Oliver has gotten more used to walking at my side now rather than staying well behind his packmates or walking ahead of the group.  He was also ...

Adventure Pack

Thompson was a much better walker today and stuck to my side the whole time without pulling ahead.  Mamacita walked alongside Thompson and was also very good today without any unfriendly gestures toward strangers.  Roger Roger actually barked at a group that passed by a short distance away.  A couple teenage girls among them were watching the pack and squealing about how adorable the dogs all were.  I'm not sure whether Roger Roger barked out of...

Adventure Pack

No sticks for Rucksack or Roger Roger today as they were content to just trot along with their packmates.  We stepped to the side of the trail to let other dogs pass us and Sputnik did a great job of keeping his attention on me and staying relaxed.  Oliver, Rucksack, and Roger Roger all also did well.  Benny stayed calm but kept getting up and trying to wander off while we waited.

Play Pack

Sadie played rabbit for some ...

Adventure Pack

Rucksack was very finnicky about his choice of sticks today and kept changing them out.  Meanwhile, Roger Roger stuck to one stick.  Milo, Mamacita, and Benny all left the sticks to their Labradoodle packmates.

Play Pack

Sadie barely gave Mamacita a break at the park today, but Mamacita was happy to indulge her puppy packmate in some play.  Meanwhile, Thompson was getting attention from other excited pups, which he bear...

Adventure Pack

Everyone was very mellow today.  We greeted some friendly dogs who were also mellow as they walked up to be surrounded by the pack.  Rucksack had a stick for the first half of the hike and then Roger Roger took it up for the second half.  Milo, Mamacita, and Benny all just followed along behind me.  Mamacita is still uncertain about drinking water from the CamelBak spout, but everyone else was eager to wet their tongues.

Pla...

Adventure Pack

We greeted several other dogs on the trails today, and also practiced sitting by the side of the trail and letting some others go by.  The pack did very well, including Sputnik and Oliver who were both calm and friendly with everyone.  Rucksack found a small stick early on.  He set it down when we stopped for a minute and then Roger Roger grabbed it up, and the two of them ended up passing it back and forth a couple times along the way.  Benny b...

Adventure Pack

Thompson joined the pack this morning and had a good time with his packmates.  He already knows Milo and Mamacita well from past Play Pack outings, but this was the first time he met Rucksack and Roger Roger.  Rucksack showed particular interest in his new Husky packmate, frequently nudging him around the neck and shoulders as they hiked side-by-side.  Roger Roger was less curious and was content to hike on my other side with Mamacita and Milo.

Adventure Pack

Sputnik walked with the leash on his collar today instead of on a harness so I could control him better when he starts to get worked up about passing dogs.  It worked well and I was able to divert his attention much more quickly with only a little pressure on the leash, which resulted in him ending up having some very pleasant greetings.  Roger Roger snagged a stick that his big brother Rucksack was eyeing, right out from under his nose.  Oliver was ...

Adventure Pack

Sputnik practiced walking a pace behind me to help keep his attention with the pack when passing other dogs.  Oliver walked just ahead of him so he also had to pay attention to avoid walking into his little packmate, which he managed well.  Rucksack found a stick he liked and carried it for a while.  Roger Roger and Benny also liked it, and each chewed on an end of it while Rucksack held the middle when we took a short break for water.