Mastering the Walk

Have you seen Cesar Millan walk with several dogs?

Cesar says, "The dogs see me as their pack leader. This is why they follow me wherever I go."





Here are some pointers from Cesar Millan:

Position matters. Walking in front allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.

Use a short leash. This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog. Always keep your dog's safety in mind when giving corrections.

Set aside time. Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ.

Define exploration time. After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk.

Don't punch out. When you get home, don't stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes.

Share food and water. By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to "work" for food and water.

So, are you the pack leader, too?

Eagle Sighting

Today Washingtonians rejoiced in sunshine. I decided instead of my morning walk with Ebony we would go skating; I skate she runs beside me.

I like to skate the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia to Woodard Bay which is a nice 7 mile trip. Along the trail there is a lovely area where both sides of the trail have ponds and the yellow waterlilies are in bloom. I was wishing I brought my camera. We usually stop there on the way back for a break. Ebony drinks and goes for a swim and I gaze at the beautiful views while I drink my water.

I noticed in the distance a large bird splashing in the water. I am glad Ebony did not see it. It was a Bald Eagle! I watch it bathe in the water for at least ten minutes. Then it perched on a rock and proceeded to dry itself by flapping its wings several times. When it took off, it circled over my head for a grand view before it departed through the trees. Where was my camera!

I felt honored to be privileged to this intimate bathing ritual.

Morning Walk Observations

Lately, when Ebony and I take our morning walks, I have been fascinated by how quickly the leaves of the Big Leaf Maple grow. The other day they were mire sprouts with long beautiful chain of blooms and today they are actual leaves. I believe if you spent the day watching, you could actually see the leaves grow!

They make a pretty picture, wouldn't you agree?

I Smell Skunk!

I live in a wooded area and on my morning walks I have come across deer, herons, mallard ducks, and owls. As Ebony and I were walking this morning, I got this piercing smell. Quickly I called my dog to heel as I did NOT want her to meet the skunk.

As we came around the corner, I saw through the woods in a boggy area a multitude of skunk.......cabbage!

How can something so lovely smell soooooo badly?





At closer range the smell was awful! But look how pretty!

"Time to Walk!" Says my dog

This morning I looked at the thermometer and it read 29 degrees. The sun was shining and I decided to postpone our morning walk until it warmed up a bit.

Ebony has full freedom of several acres of woods, but loves her morning walk with me. She looks like a small Black Lab, but Ebony is part Border Collie and they are task masters. She does not like it when her morning walks are delayed and will let me know by "THE LOOK."

Ebony came to the door this morning and "THE LOOK" was intense! It was nearly 10am and we have not walked, yet. I quickly got my camera as I have been trying to photograph her expressing her feelings.

Please excuse the nose prints on the window.

Here is "THE LOOK" that says, "Time to walk!"