No Back Seat for Stetson

I am obviously consumed with Madison and her Stem Cell Therapy that has just happened this past week.  But Stetson isn't really taking much of a back seat to all this.  As a matter of fact, if it weren't for him, crate rest for her would be an incredible challenge.  But he's willing to relax in a crate when she has her time out in the house and he's been very patient to stay his distance in the yard while I walk her on lead.

We've been busy learning about taking obedience skills out of the house and the training building, into the "real world".  The past two weekends I've taken him out to work in strange, public places.  Last weekend we went to a nearby high school parking lot and practiced our heeling and stays.  We then went to a local pet supply store and practiced "stays" and the "sit for exam".  He was, as always, the sweet and willing partner.

Practicing our figure eight heeling pattern in a high school parking lot with some cones as "posts"

Happy to receive his rewards for good heeling work :)

"Sit Stay" in the kitty food aisle of a local pet supply store

I began training the "2-on 2-off" method for contact training from Rachel Sanders via her video and the board that Max 200 makes to support the video, (both can be purchased via Clean Run).  The concept was difficult for him to begin with because he's used to NOT being rewarded for coming off his platform that we use for obedience signal training.  It took some time to teach him that these boards were to different items, used for two separate sports and commands.  As always, he's a bright boy and he quickly decided that I must know what I was talking about...

Blue board is used to teach contacts for agility, it is raised about 3 inches from the ground.  Black board is for obedience signals and the PVC "rails" on the side are intended to keep the dog on the board for down, stand and sit; barely raised from the floor, but he knows this board the best because we've used it for a year now; he thought he was supposed to do those things on the blue board too...

Finally I get a 2-on 2-off that we will translate to the contact obstacles (teeter, dog-walk and A-frame) in agility

The board he's known for a year now - the obedience board; used primarily for signals to keep his rear in place and keep him from moving forward...  He is actually giving me a nice "down" in this picture, although it appears his elbows may be up, they are really correct on the ground.  He was THRILLED to work this after trying to convince me the blue board was the same thing...

This past Sunday we went back to the pet supply store to work.  This time I asked him to heel and he quickly decided to try to ignore the distractions in the store and give me what he could for the exercise.  Then we practiced some "sit stays" in various places and a "sit for exam".  The stays were good, he was challenged with me picking the aisle where the bins of "bulk treats" were open and within nose reach.  But he pulled it off beautifully.

He gets extra stars for his "sit for exam" exercise.  I explained to a shopper that he had a match coming up and we were practicing...  Then I told her about the "sit for exam" exercise and asked if she'd mind to just walk up to him, touch his head and walk away.  She agreed to help, but when she touched his head, she immediately began cooing over how soft he was, and began to fluff his head, rub his ears and such.  Mr. Social Butterfly pretty much immediately got wide eyed with excitement.  How badly did he want to get up from that sit and greet her??  Really, what a sweet dog to try so hard under such difficult circumstances :)  Love my boy!!!

Sit Stay with the open bin of treats taunting him (I don't deserve such a sweet boy)

Sweet face that gazes up to me when heeling, he was a little worried about the activity nearby, but he tried so hard!

This dog gives me so much.  There are times that I wonder if in his canine brain he ever "dreamed" of a person that was anything like me.  I don't know, but he is certainly a dream come true for me!

A Personal Best for Stetson

A very calm dog during recovery after our run

Spring is coming in with an easy transition for my running endurance this year.  This is the first time since we have lived in Atlanta (10 years now), that it feels like we're experiencing Spring.  From my own conditioning perspective, I am grateful for the slow transition to warm or hot weather.  It is such a shock to my system to have a run on a 30 degree morning one weekend and the next weekend it is a warm, muggy 54+ degree morning.  It can make for a long, wheezy run that often left me feeling like I had zero conditioning and less than zero desire to put my sneakers back on a couple of days later.  Once I acclimate to heat, it's game on - bring up the temp and I'm out there, but that transition period can feel like starting at nill all over again.

This year, I also have Stetson's conditioning to contend with.  We have only been running together for six months now.  During that period, we've both have down times due to injury and/or illness, so reaching and maintaining a solid level of performance has been a moving target this winter.  He's given me some stellar 6 milers in cold conditions, but heat is something we haven't experienced together.  I decided to take it really slow and work him at mile and a half "warm up" distances and then drop him off so I could continue solo for a period, hopefully sufficient enough to allow him to acclimate to the heat gradually.  This plan was intended with the dual purpose of keeping his safety and comfort as my number one priority, while giving me some ability to determine how far we can target building up to for the season of warm and humid conditions.  Regardless of how far he ends up going into the heat this summer, I'm stoked about some fast and long runs come fall with him with this extra time of conditioning.

This morning it was 54 degrees and we hit the trail at the Hooch for an easy, flat 5K.  I haven't really asked him to do three miles for awhile, so I was prepared to hang back to see if he had any issues.  We stopped at the turn taking us from the river to the "inland" section of the trail to offer him water and he just looked at me as if to say "go ahead, whimp, I'm good".  So we finished without any further attempts on my part to baby him.  I stopped several times to walk and regain my breath, but he was never hesitant to start back into a trot again.

When we finished and I stopped my lap meter on the heart rate monitor, I realized we completed the trail in under 13 minute mile averages.  Madison is incredible for a 13 year old dog, the fact that she runs with us at all anymore is amazing; but our total time difference between the river runs with her this winter (in cool or cold weather), and today is over 13 minutes.  I'm thrilled with that performance and crazy excited about building on it!

A Whole New World

Dave had plans today, and I had a scheduled session with Stetson's breeder (a new friend), Amy Burnette to see what herding was all about.  Maddie doesn't like to be left out or left home alone.  Soooo, Madison loaded into the truck along with Stetson and I, and we were off to see what we could do with livestock.

I had no idea what to expect - sheep, goats, ducks...I seriously had no clue what I was going to experience today; but I knew I had to see what this dog would do in the environment he was bred to thrive in.

There we were at eleven o'clock this morning; he was wearing his harness (totally inappropriate, but what did I know), I was in shorts two tops and sneakers (also mostly inappropriate; my legs and ankles were exposed and apparently most susceptible to injury, but I typically roll with legs exposed and upper body covered, it's a runner thing, so it seemed okay to me at the time).

We began by watching an experienced dog bring goats into a small pen, which would be our work area.  Then Amy and the dog worked on intricate details of the process with the goats.  We watched another woman bring sheep into the pen, the goats were put up and the sheep were worked by her and then a dog who was equally as inexperienced as Stetson (by Amy).  Amazingly, Amy was able to work the dog and give me pointers as I observed from outside the pen.  At last it was our turn; I had the choice to work him in the pen myself, or watch him be worked for the first time by Amy.  She was very open to either option, and I decided without much thought to go in myself.

I only have a couple of pictures and they actually have nothing to do with the main event today, but they are cute anyway.

Can't see it here, but he was barking at the sheep being worked by another dog; very nice exhibit of drive
 

She was none too happy when we took "her dog" and put him away before he got to work

We moved Stetson from the outdoor runs to indoors in order to save his enthusiasm for the job before it was his turn to work.  Madison was having nothing to do with separation from her new buddy; she kicked into my "high drive working bitch" that I've loved, and struggled with, for nearly thirteen years each time she was separated from him. Actually, it's not as personal toward him as she makes it seem; she's not afraid he's not coming back, she's more angry that someone else it getting action and she's left in a crate or kennel - but she's adorable nonetheless, and she does make it seem like it's about separation. Her noise was deafening to me, but the gracious people, Amy included, were not visibly annoyed by her behaviour.

Herding is a spectator sport for Madison

Stetson, well, my goodness what a nice dog he is!  He walked into the pen with sheep for the first time, with me on the other end of his rope, another first time situation, and he controlled the situation very well.  He seemed to recognize I might be ultimately in charge, and was willing to let me lead.  Amy told me before we started that I needed to watch the livestock and not the dog; it made sense, we were there to control the livestock after all.  She also said to watch their heads, you control them by the head and not from behind.  Again, that was logical to me because I'd watched them be "driven" (my words) from the rear and their heads lead them to where they ultimately ended up...  Okay, I could do that I thought, or I hoped.

Well, we did!  I don't have a "lie down" or even a "down" command with him yet - but he knows "whoa" because I am adamant about control when we run/walk and I use a slow, low, firm "whoa" to stop my dogs from jerking me in uncertain terrain or situations, such as down a mountain, (not funny, but you can laugh, I've been drug down a portion of Red Top with screaming Siberians before I learned that they had to know "whoa") so it was easy for me to keep him standing, but stopped.  We will have to learn "lie down" for herding, obedience, agility and the rest of life; but for today "whoa" worked fine.

He trusted me to be in charge today and I trusted myself to watch the livestock and feel the dog at the other end of the rope.  I think we all had a ball!  I'm so grateful for this experience, I cannot wait for the next time we get out.  I know his complete sweetness will wear off as he "feels his oats" so to speak, and gets more confident, but OMG (yes, I said that, OMG) it was a blast.

So very grateful that my friend Trish McCabe directed me to Coolmore Australian Shepherds and Amy Burnette.  Stetson and I have so many memories to make!  Tonight I'll fall asleep reciting over and over, "walk up"; "whoa"; "that'll do".

We're not running tonight, I seem to be the only one in the house still living on a rush - the dogs are sleeping and cozy so I'll let them be until tomorrow when we hit the pavement and work on endurance and getting it together for the one thing I knew we would be doing together, running!  Rest well little buddy, we're back on tomorrow night.

Stetson - Poop Bag Terrorism

We took Stetson and Maddie to the river today.  I figured it would be a good opportunity to proof squirrels and maybe see some bicycles.

He has no issue with bicycles.  Those we met on-coming he barely even noticed.   I heard a couple approaching from behind at one point and was able to turn so he saw them before they were on us, at any rate he didn't seem to even be curious about them.  We saw a few kids in strollers and he didn't pay attention to those either.

There were plenty of squirrels and he was much easier to reign in than Maddie (no big surprise, bouncing silly dog that she is).  I have felt the power of him lunging at speed to the end of the leash and am doing my best to make darn sure I am alert, thus able to stay safe.  Falling on him would be worse for him than me.

But maybe all that "calmness" was because he spent his adrenaline almost immediately upon leaving the parking area and beginning the path.  I forgot to reload poop bags in the truck after we were out Monday, so we stopped at the dispenser at the trail head to get three or four.  Dave had Stetson and I had Maddie.  Dave reached up to pull a bag out of the dispenser and the whole pole seemed to lean over him and then the roll of bags began flying out of it.  Stetson took a half look up at the monstrosity heading his way and hit the end of his lead hard.  I'm amazed Dave's shoulder isn't sore this evening from the sudden jerk.

Thankfully I decided to use a tracking harness on Stetson when he first arrived, knowing that if he spooked and slipped a flat collar we were not going to be his safety net for some time yet.  I was afraid he would get away and we'd lose him.  The harness and Gripper Leash (love those leashes) held him while Dave managed to unwrap some poop bags to stow away and we were off.


Rest well little buddy, it's been a big day!

 

Stetson - Training Day 2

Our second day to train together was successful.  His feet felt good today and I think the decision to work on asphalt was beneficial to help minimize the soreness he showed yesterday.  We are both learning about each other and how to make this new relationship work. 

I learned today that:

1. I will keep him reigned in at 4 feet or less until I have had an opportunity to proof him on squirrels (we haven't seen a bunny yet).  He is strong and FAST - easy to get under control, but you have to be ready for the explosion.  The short lead gives me a little more power.
2. I am now responsible for the pace.  Sounds stupid, but it is huge!  Mira had limits this summer with heat and humidity that kept her to a specific pace.  It was more distance than you would ask a dog that wasn't conditioned, yet it was appropriately limited by weather conditions and it was a slow steady training run pace.  Stetson isn't going to flip me off and do what works for him, he proved that today - I set the pace.  He eagerly let me go out as fast as I wanted (which was too fast of course) but he was just as gracious to slow down when I realized my error.  Unfortunately, my self control is lacking and I tend to go out too fast and burn out and ultimately end up getting overuse injuries...  I am now officially in charge of me and that's a perspective I haven't been consumed with before. 
3. He wants the road.  Mira ran the gutter or the edge of the curb, Maddie has always preferred the road also.  Mira had the toughest feet/pads of any dog we have ever owned, I was always amazed that the gravel and sand in the gutter didn't bother her.  His pads will toughen up as time goes on, but my guess is he'll always prefer the road; we'll see.  I don't care what surface they prefer, but when we are a foursome, we'll have to be more cognizant of traffic if we have two dogs on asphalt.



Walking into an office full of trophies and memorabilia dedicated to our Siberian Huskies, he doesn't seem to mind or notice that he's an oddball.

Stetson had a couple of lessons with regular things today as well:

1. Garage Doors - they open and close, but the motors controlling that process are noisy.  He is amazing to me.  The first time we went out and came back (via control panel on the outside of the door) he was alert and wanted to bolt, but the second time out and back, he actually tried to get into the garage before the door was up just like all our other dogs ever have.  He has some initial "fear" of new noises and things, but he rebounds so well and is such a great trooper to try new things!
2. Squirrel chasing is for the yard, not the road.  He took to the lesson quickly, I hope it sticks and we don't have to reteach it every run.



Love the freckles on Stetson's face
 

 One day at a time and a lesson at a time. 

Stetson - Training Day 1

We picked the handsome Stetson up from his breeder yesterday morning at 7 am.  We spent the day getting used to each other and exposing him to household stuff; refrigerator doors opening, grocery bags rattling while we put groceries away, sliding glass doors that are apparently very creepy and a Siberian who has a big mouth and the worst possible timing to bark and play bow.  Although he gets surprised easily, he rebounds very quickly when something new and/or noisey is happening and comes back to inquire further about whatever is happening.  I don't mind caution, if it is followed by curiosity and he is displaying a healthy dose of caution but learns quickly that things are really okay.  So far we aren't having to repeat many lessons.


Today began his training to be my running partner.  I put together all the gear from our other dogs; Mira's crates, Nakeeta's harness, Magic's collar and Kody's leather leash (which is being changed to Mira's pink gripper lead after David described his squirrel chasing abilities).





Hand me down equipment

We went to East Cobb Park in order to expose him to an ash trail as well as a wooded trail that's not too long.  He has a couple of pads that are sore right now, so we have to take it slower than I had expected.

We didn't cross any squirrels or other wildlife so I still don't know how he'll be in that situation.  He only occasionally pulled on the harness.  All I had to do was apply a little pressure and he willingly backed off the tug.  He would actually be a great option for Dave when we have the dogs together; Maddie may be on the edge of 13 years and she doesn't have much endurance left, but she'll take you out if you're not careful.

The trail was short, but it was a good start to what I believe will be a long and fulfilling relationship of trails and roads together.

We'll probably do a short walk tonight in the neighborhood and continue to monitor his pads.  Now he is laying on the office floor behind me while I write.  His willingness to trust us and try is very rewarding.