New Digs

Having a blast with the dogs these days. Trying to get in 1 exercise/conditioning session and at least 1 classical training session every day. The training is sometimes straight up Obedience stuff and sometimes more unusual activities that I am doing for fun or to achieve some other long term goals - core strengthening, etc. The straight up exercise/conditioning sessions are typically either running/trotting beside the bike, or some sort of ball play - interval conditioning, cones game, etc.

Today, we went to a different park a little farther away but still an easy walk. I think it will be a little less popular than the school park and that the surface of the field might be a little less torn up as a result. The field isn't as big or enclosed but it is farther off the road so it seems like a reasonable trade off.

The other aspect of this park that will make it very popular with the dogs and that Gata has already discovered - is that it is near a few bodies of water. These are smallish ponds and near the water treatment plant, so not sure that they are safe for dogs. But it is already clear that Gata will want to cool off and hang out in them. I will have to find out about whether they are safe for dogs - clean and potential snake habitats??

The latest training activity has been around proprioception and core strength. I'm trying to increase rear end awareness and create a means by which I can potentially control the placement of each individual foot/leg. I've started with a back feet "Perch" behavior followed by a pivot around the back feet.

Both dogs are developing fluency with the "Perch" behavior on the large balance disk with the smooth side up. Because it is inflated it also ends up being a core strengthening exercise. It is pretty funny to watch them try to get on the disk and keep their balance as they are adjusting their position. Both are getting better at it. But it is definitely there, especially when I ask them for a step or two of pivot around their back feet.

So we tried out the new park for the first time this morning. Straight up interval conditioning, with me exercising while they rested :-)

Objective: 4 sets of 5
Achieved: 4 @ 5
Ground: Frozen with a fresh dusting of snow, relatively dry
Temperature: 26 - 28 degrees F

It was the perfect routine for them today. Gata trotted back for the last 2 reps in the 3rd set. I shortened her throws just a little in the last set and both were pooped at the end of that set. Both flopped down in the snow with their tails wagging and their tongues hanging. It was a very good kind of tired - not evidence of collapse. They rolled in the snow and were ready to trot ahead on the walk home (until I put their leashes on). Unfortunately, before I put their leashes on Gata found 1 of the ponds and waded in, soaking herself from the chest and belly down. She actually had frozen icicles hanging off of her by the time we got home :-) Tor tries to do everything that Gata does but he doesn't like the cold water nearly as much as she does. He just got his front feet and legs wet :-)