Leader of the Pack

The Adventure Pack

We focused more on obedience than on covering ground during today's hike.  The pack members have started straying a bit more off-leash and pulling a bit more on-leash lately, so I did a lot of work with them to keep up better habits.  Everyone responded very well.  Coco and Rucksack ran around with each other but came when I called and after receiving a few treats they stuck closer.  Wesley and Benny stopped pulling ahead on leash and when they were off Wesley kept his attention on me almost constantly and although Benny wandered about to sniff everything he could, he was very responsive to coming when I called him.  A passing hiker commented on how well behaved they all were when I had them come to the side of the trail and sit until she passed.  All of the pack members are generally well behaved and I think an occassional refresher like today will help keep them on track.

The Play Pack

Some serious winds picked up right as we arrived at the dog park today.  Brady's mom dropped him off at the park after he had a grooming.  He looked so different with his short, freshly cleaned fur that I almost didn't recognize him!  He and his packmates were excited to greet each other, although Brady got a little riled up when Coco and Benny were standing right over him and he barked at Benny to chase him off and get a little more space.  Brady and Coco ran a bit together at first and then they played fetch side-by-side but Coco was beating Brady to just about every ball, so I held Coco back a few times to give Brady a chance.  Benny followed his packmates around and picked up the tennis ball whenever they dropped it, then trotted around with it for a minute.  After half an hour, Brady went over to the gate and didn't come when I called to him, so I figured the cold and wind was probably getting to him and I brought him in to the car.  During the rest of the visit, Coco played keep-away using a blue rubber ball with a Shiba Inu mix while Benny chased and wreslted with a high-energy 1-year-old pup named Chewy.