Leader of the Pack

The Adventure Pack

Coco and Wesley were in a mood today and growled at the first dog we passed.  Meanwhile, Rucksack and Sage were overly eager to say hello.  This dynamic recurred for the next couple dogs we saw along the trail, as well.  I worked with everyone to keep them calmer by turning around and taking them in the other direction and/or off to the side of the trail to let the other dogs pass unbothered and by the last couple dogs we encountered, everyone wa...

The Adventure Pack

Sputnik kept all of his packmates going with playful energy on today's hike.  First, Benny and Sputnik wrestled around with one another.  A bit later, Coco and Sputnik raced each other alongside the trail.  Then, on our way back down, Rucksack found a stick and he and Sputnik had a tug-of-war.  Coco and Benny both joined in for that, as well.

The Play Pack

Oscar has been a bit more wired this week than u...

The Adventure Pack

We hit the trails at Shanahan Ridge today and practiced sticking together as a group while off leash.  Yoda tended to wander off ahead, so every now and then we turned around or headed off to the side of the trail after calling him back to show him that he needed to pay attention to stay with the group.  A few times, he stubbornly stood and stared for a long while as we headed off the other way, before finally giving in and following.  Benny was ...

The Adventure Pack

We tried walking shoulder-to-shoulder again while I turned around to face the pack from in front, although today's group of Coco, Benny, Mia, and Wesley was a bit less in sync.  Mia was especially flighty - breaking rank and veering off to check out any interesting sight or smell alongside the path; although we did have some good stretches.

The Play Pack

Milo and Benny had a few playful bouts betwee...

The Adventure Pack

Sputnik was extremely well behaved on today's walk.  He's come quite a way from the rambunctious puppy that joined the pack a few months ago.  Oliver did some sniffing around today and found a very interesting spot.  He was soon joined by both Sputnik and Benny to investigate.  Oliver then left a scent mark and was followed by Sputnik in turn.  Benny apparently didn't think it was worth the pee.

The Play Pack

The Adventure Pack

The pack did an amazing job of wlking on leash together today.  For several stretches, I turned and walked backwards, facing them; and Rucksack, Sage, Wesley, and Coco all walked shoulder-to-shoulder - in that order - behind me.  When I turned back around, Rucksack and Coco tended to creep up a bit on either side of me, and then I would turn back around and point them back to their places, which they readily fell back into.  It was awesome to see...

The Adventure Pack

The thawing ice along the Bear Creek Path must have been gving off some very interesting smells, because Sputnik, Benny, and Rucksack kept leaning over with their noses out as we walked alongside it.  Oliver was less interested in the smells than his packmates, as usual.  He trotted along just behind me, distracted only when other dogs passed by us.

The Play Pack

Benny played a little bit of catch today.  He flaunte...

The Adventure Pack

Mia joined Rucksack, Yoda, and Coco for today's walk along the Bear Creek Path.  She was all over the place in the beginning of the walk and we took a few time-outs to just sit and let people and dogs pass by so she would get a little more used to leaving things be and not chasing after every whim.  It was such a struggle for her to keep still that I could see her shaking with anticipation as she sat in place.  By the end of the walk, she was fin...

The Adventure Pack

We started off a little less orderly on the leash today but by about halfway through the walk, Wesley, Rucksack, and Coco were all walking at my sides with loose leashes.  Coco and Wesley were startled when we passed that same barking dog as Wednesday and they both broke ranks to try to run over to the fence, but they gave over quickly when they realized they weren't going anywhere and then they sat in place when asked.

The Play Pack

The Adventure Pack

Today's pack was a bit less orderly on their leashes than yesterday's had been.  Rucksack, who was part of the pack both days, took a turn South regarding his leash pulling today.  Sputnik alongiside him also pulled quite a bit; although Rucksack certainly appreciated that his young packmate was far less interested in sneaking under him and gnawing his elbows than he has been in the past.  Benny kept stopping in place today, a habit that had been...