Today is Labor Day, which means we had a three-day weekend. Whooo Hoooo! It turned out to be pretty good.
Since Delilah ran off on me a couple of times last week, I’ve had her on the thirty foot leash. This made me hesitant to take them hiking in the woods, I was a bit nervous she would run off and snag herself on something. So early Saturday morning I took Sampson and Delilah up to the field to play with a bumper.
Delilah was so cute, she took the bumper and it was almost as if she were flirting with Sampson, she ran up to him and pushed the bumper at him then ran away, but she looked over her shoulder at him. I got my phone out in enough time to get a quick video.
After our walk, my daughters and I took my grandchildren to the local Farm Day, where my grandson got to do a lot of bouncing in the bounce houses. Then my daughter, niece and a bunch of friends went to NYC to see the Harry Potter Exhibition. After the exhibit we went to dinner at Hard Rock Cafe and then caught the 10:20 train back to CT. After dropping everyone off, I got home about 1:45 am. The dogs didn’t care, they were still up at 6:00 am yesterday.
Yesterday was tough, I finally got my butt off the couch and went grocery shopping, then called my walking bud to see if she and Brady were free. As luck would have it, she also had Kodak and so the six of us set out walking; in the woods.
Delilah did amazing! It is almost like she likes having the leash attached. Even my WB said she’s like a different dog, much calmer and more relaxed. She did get stuck one time, but we were right there and I untangled her. She never went too far from us, and a couple of times she looked like she wanted to go, but she returned to us every time we called her.
After our wood hike we went to the field to let them run and play a little. Two interesting things happened here. 1) While I was giving all the dogs a bit of roast beef, Sampson snapped at Kodak. This took me completely by surprise, because he has never been a dog that had food issues. My WB seems to think that Kodak is a dominant dog and Sampson was putting him in his place but it did give me a little concern. It happened with Kodak and roast beef again today; so I’m wondering if she might be right because so far it only seems to happen with Kodak.
The second interesting thing that happened yesterday was while Delilah, Brady and Kodak were playing in the stream. Sampson was hanging with WB and me watching the dogs play. Kodak was trying to mount Delilah and she was doing a mighty fine job of letting him know it wasn’t happening; when all of a sudden Sampson took off after them and chased Kodak off! He has never done that before either, and I’m not really sure what that was about but it made think that he does care about her (in whatever way dogs care about each other) and wants to protect her.
Today was another day I felt very lazy but I did manage to get some vacuuming and laundry done and the dogs and I got another walk in, we cut through the woods on a deer path and Brady found a tree that is formed so water is caught in it.
Doesn’t it look like his head is stuck?
But the best thing of all happened early this afternoon. I got a text from Sara letting me know the training center is opening TOMORROW! So Sampson and Delilah are back at daycare tomorrow. I know they will be so excited to go.
So how was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?
Wow sounds like you had a fun packed weekend!
Seems like the leash is a security blanket for Delilah and a very effective one at that. I have to keep a long line on Riva because she likes to take her self for walks as I am walking behind her at a good pace calling and calling.
I wonder if Sampson is just letting Kodak know Delilah is his gal 😉
Love that picture, as I was reading my eyes glimpsed down quickly and I thought he had no head lol
I never thought of that! Thanks Misty. Does the leash help keep Riva close by too?
He really has a head, I can promise you that! I just couldn’t quite get the angle on the picture. 😉
Cute video – such happy dogs!!
They are good and happy dogs. Thanks shoes.
That video of Sampson and Delilah playing is very cute! I am sure Delilah is what they call “collar smart”. She knows when the lead is on and when it is off. That is why I suggested leaving it on and continuing to work on her staying nearby until it is solid in her doggie head. Then take it of for a short time and see how she does. Then put it on, make sure she is staying close, then take it off etc. until you are sure she knows what you expect. Or just leave it on. 🙂
And it does in fact look like Brady’s head is stuck. Hooray for doggie daycare!
I’m not sure why she sticks close by with the leash on, but you can bet I will be leaving it on! I don’t care if she drags it forever!!
Do the two brown dawgs stick close?
Yes they have always stayed fairly close, but if they are hunting they can get a bit carried away. The golden we had before the 2 brown dawgs was the best. He never needed a lead and never ran off. If he got a bit ahead on the trail, he would stop and wait for us to catch up.
I like that! Sampson is usually the same way.
I’ve been really pleased actually with Fozzie’s choice to stay close at hand during off-leash romps. He is such a nose-follower, it was a long time before I tried him off-leash. But now I think he loves his people enough that he always comes back to check in with us! Doesn’t hurt that I’ve drilled him hard on the fact that when he comes back he’s in store for some serious positive reinforcement 🙂
So glad you had such a nice hike!
Thanks Kirsten, It is sometimes hard to give treats with the bunch of dogs and Sampson becoming a bit snarky. But I give her good praise and get excited when she makes the right choice. I hope someday to have her totally off and glued to me but for now, the leash works. 🙂
Glad you have Fozzie in check, it makes for a nicer walk.
It’s hard to know what’s going to be just the thing that will make a difference in a dog’s behavior. But keep it up with the leash. It appears to be doing something for Delilah.
One other thing I’ve found that works well–if you’re out walking with Delilah dragging her leash, wait until she isn’t looking and then hide behind a tree (but not too good; you want her to find you easily). When Delilah “finds” you, give her a big treat. It’s fun and it really helps her to get used to keeping an eye on you when you’re out walking.
Loved the video, BTW.
Thanks Pamela, I do hide sometimes but haven’t rewarded her when she finds me, I will need to incorporate that!
I love the picture of Brady in the trees – so funny!
Sometimes I wish pictures had sounds, then you could have heard the slurping. 🙂
Cute video, glad your daycare is open again!
You and our entire household Kath!! LOL