Take a Hike

 Today is National Take a Hike Day.

While I have been running a lot with the dogs, including another 10 miles yesterday, I decided to give us all a break today and just go for a relaxing hike. We headed to a nearby state park on this cold but sunny morning to get in a few miles.

I’m not sure that they really needed them, but I threw on their sweatshirts to make sure they didn’t get cold as we were by he water and it was windy.

We had a great day.

Booker, as I know I have mentioned, is probably the toughest dog I have ever had to train. I have had a very hard time with him listening to me and staying with us instead of taking off and doing his own thing whenever he is off leash. He has very little self control in general, which is normal in a very young puppy, but now that he is over a year old I have been expecting a more from him.

I have wondered if we don’t have the bond that I have had with my other dogs and have blamed and questioned myself and wondered if we would ever get to the point where I can trust him – or is it him not trusting me??  

Today was a sparkling ray of hope. Once we were on some of the back trails, we let them both off leash. Booker happily ran ahead and to the sides of us sniffing and sniffing and sniffing all the different smells. However, he always stayed at a reasonable distance rather than taking off, choosing to come back and “check in” regularly. Even better he came back every single time we called to him. This included twice when we saw other hikers, including a woman with a dog.

It was absolutely gratifying that our constant training and consistency is (fingers crossed) starting to pay off. Sisko continues to be a good role model as he would run ahead and chase and play with Booker, but he always comes immediately back and enjoys just walking along at our side.