That Off Leash Life

Hey Tribe,

Guess who is enjoying life off leash?

This 7 month old pup!

This beauty too, of course.

After basic re-call training and many outings of letting Rex drag a long line around in the field and having him reliably return to my call or e-collar beep, I finally felt slightly confident enough to unclip the leash and have him run free.  

Freedom!

I'll be honest, it was scary.  What would he do?  He’d know he was off line.  Would he stop listening to me?  Would he run into the woods and I’d never see him again?  He would be in charge of his own path.

He was awesome.

  

Fly was awesome.

They were so happy to run together.

We visited the old log schoolhouse and Fly showed Rex all the best nooks and places squirrels are known to scamper and how to pose on the chairs.

There was also a good amount of training; I don’t think training ever stops.  I’m teaching the dogs the “with me” command, where I start walking in a certain direction or stop moving as they proceed ahead and then I say “with me” and they are supposed to move in my direction.  It isn’t a full “come” command: I don’t want them right near my body, just be in my vicinity.  They’ve caught on really well and we worked on this skill as we explored the woods.

Checking out some fox scat.

I’m also not letting Rex go out as far from me as Fly does.  I regret letting her be comfortable being 300+ yards away from me and I want Rex to learn to stay closer to me.  So, when he’d get 50ish yards away, I’d say “Rex, with me” and he’d circle back closer to me.  Good boy.

Don't feel bad for him, being close means more treats!

We returned home as a happy trio and I am eager for another off leash woodland wander.  To not be afraid of losing a dog because it won’t recall is indescribably enjoyable.  It’s freeing to not have a leash getting tangled around my hands, legs, and trees.  For a couple of Karelians who want to run and sniff and play, that off leash life is so, so sweet.

Barn Hunt Champ

Hey Tribe!

This weekend we made history!  Fly earned her Champion title in Barn Hunt – the first Karelian Bear Dog to ever achieve that title.

Not only that, she went on to earn three more qualifying runs, stalking that much closer to a RATCHX title (10 qualifying runs = X).

Vikinghunters Willow's Drum "Fly" CGC, RATCH

The Barn Hunt season is finished, so we will have to wait until spring to continue our history making dreams.  However, it will be a smug snug, warm winter with a Champion ribbon hanging on the wall!

Speaking of glory and success, Rex is doing well for himself: he earned his Novice (RATN) title in three short qualifying runs.  Not only did he find his rats, he found them fast enough to place and earn ribbons!  He had some good competition too: smart, fast dogs were also competing in the trial, so placing First, Second, and Second again in the Novice category was a great way for Rex to debut.

Armando Salazar Da Villa Saloia "Rex" RATN

Wondering what is this Barn Hunt thing I’m talking about?  Click on over to my previous post to read more about it – maybe you’ll want to get involved too!

National Black Dog Day

Hey Tribe,

It's National Black Dog Day!

Apparently, statistics show that black dogs do not get adopted at the same rate as other colored dogs.  What?  So, now there's a day to celebrate them, so maybe folks will be more inclined to adopt black dogs.

Hello, Gorgeous!

I do know that black dogs are more difficult to photograph with the lighting and texture and such, and black and white dogs are even more difficult!  The contrast is a tough challenge, as you have probably already picked up on from looking at all my Fly photos.  Her face...sometimes it's too dark to see any definition of her features.  It is such a challenge for me, but I love it!  It makes me try to be a better photographer: someone who doesn't rely on photo editing software to correct poor quality images.

Ooh, that dark face - does she even have eyes?

Much better - look at those beautiful brown eyes!

So, anyway, happy Black Dog Day to the black (and white) dogs in my life - I'd choose them every time!