Dogs

[Brad]

Thanks Emma. I might just try to do more hiking this summer. I was only on a regular leash the first year that I joined this family (I was a stray for 6-8 months). After that I never have a leash on - just use the wireless leash.



Sandy

[tkahike]

My old Pyr I would take hiking all the time, she was a very good trail dog. My current two, one is a rescue and he is iffy, likes to run. And the other is just a pup, she needs some work.


Here is to Gabby, a great trail dog, I'll hike with you again some day.

[bruno]

not to step on anyone's paws here, but ol' bruno ain't good with dogs in the woods. it's not a huge deal, but i don't like 'em cuz they usually come sniffin' up on ol' bruno and lickin' and stuff. i don't like it.

but do whatever ya want. no biggy.

[Brad]

When we are out for a walk and someone comes along the trail Sandy is supposed to come to my side and sit - till they go by. That way others know where he is and what he is supposed to do with them around. He does that beside the road also when a car goes by and he is not at a heel.

[PatriciaS]

How were you able to train Sandy to sit next to you when you meet folks on a trail? My dog (Bear) loves hiking and will stay on a trail but he does like to investigate those we meet along the way. He is friendly, but at 90lbs most are unsure of him at first glance. He is very smart and does listen (most of the time). He just gets so excited to be "free" and on a trail hiking that sometimes his listening skills are not perfect while hiking. I would love to be able to train him to come to me and sit when we see people on a trail. What did you do that obviously worked?

Thanks,

PS

[KD Talbot]

I like to investigate, too. I try to be good, but sometimes my nose just leads me where some people would prefer I didn't go. Lucky for me I am small and unintimidating. Mostly on summits I find people to be very protective of their snacks. I love snacks, so Kevin and Judy carry lots of snacks and water so that I am really not interested in other peoples. They also carry treats in their pockets, and when someone appears to think I am not the cutest dog ever, they call me over for a treat. Most things they want me to do involve treats, like when we go to agility training. If they want me to jump through hoops, then hey, I want a treat!
Emma

PS: I am the cutest dog ever, just ask the girl I met on the trail last week. Judy will confirm this.

[Brad]

Emma,

I am sure you are the cutest dog out there. by far.

After we had Sandy for one year we trained him with a wireless leash. The collar part is just like an invisible fence. But, I carry a small thing the size of a cell phone. So, I control the buzz. We went through training and Sandy came along.

In the beginning we used a regular leash too - gave a command - used the leash to reinforce it - and gave a slight buzz on the collar. Within a week Sandy knew the commands (2 for that week) and that the buzz went with the commands. The next stage we gave the command and if he obeyed there was no buzz. If we had to repeat the command there would be a buzz each time we would repeat the command. Commands are soft, calm and just the word. By week 2 there was no regular leash any more.

Very quickly we added commands. I can do the 3 mile loop around the block here in NC with other dogs, joggers, cars, needing to heel when on the side of the road - and never do a single buzz. There is no need. Give the command and he does it right off.

The command list now is:
come
sit
stay
heel
with me - stay close by me but it does not have to be a "heel"
leave - this is to stop him from chasing a bird or squirrel
too far - he is too far ahead - he is to stop and wait for me to catch up
back - time to turn around
street - at the curb, sit and wait for the heel command
off you go - after a heel go run and do what you want - but not "too far"
car - to the side of the road and sit while the car goes by
place - point to a rug, sofa, bed, whatever and don't leave that place
(must be a defined area - like a dog bed)
off - don't jump up - don't confuse with "down"
quiet (still needs some work here)
down - lay down
get busy - this is always done "in the woods" not on the grass
in the woods

Then of course each toy has a name. When it is time to go to bed we will say a toy's name and he will go get that toy and bring it to bed.

[Andrew]

well we brought our dog to the vet and this is his exact words "wow your dog is in EXCELLENT shape...whatever you're doing, keep doing it. Other than a bit of tarter on his teeth he's in perfect health, the healthiest 9 year old I've ever seen, go ahead and bring him to mt Washington, he'll run laps around you, just bring lots of water and treats"


guess he's good to go haha. This is coming from a person who's hiked mt Washington many times too.

[Joey Keyz]

This is a bit off, but on topic.

I have nothing against dogs on trails, as long as they are disciplined enough to be on it. My wife and I had a very bad experience once with a dog on a trail. Actually. we were on the side of the trail (we were on the Pine Flats in Campton, NH) and we were at the edge of a very high cliff. We both held on to each other and a tree as we looked out and over the side. All of a sudden out of no where, this dog comes at us and jumps at us. Not to attack us, but to greet us. He knocked my wife over and me into the tree we were holding on to. We came very close to getting knocked off that edge because of this. Seriously, my wife almost went off that cliff! It's a good thing I had a tight grip on that tree and my wife. The dogs owner came running over to us and apologized. We weren't mad, but it ended our day very quickly.

So please, if you have a dog with you on a trail, make sure he/she is well behaved. A very excited and beautiful dog in this story almost cost my wife her life.

[Joey Keyz]

Let me just add to my last post .......

I do not hate animals. Please don't think that about me or my wife.
We love ALL animals. I don't even hunt because I could never kill an animal.
We've owned many dogs and cats in the past. We just have a cat now, because
we live in a building complex and they only allow us to have one cat. (No dogs)

I just wanted to clear that up in case anyone thought different of us.
But it still doesn't change what I said in my last post. I love dogs and met many
on trails and played with them. Just please be aware of your dog on the trail.