Larry's tendency to pull ahead when we walk suggested that I try him one more time running on a leash. My intentions this afternoon were to go out alone with Larry, just to test what he would do, but the leashes have now become a signal to them all that there is some activity planned and they all become giddy with anticipation. Petey, being aloof as she sometimes is, was into her own world in the back yard, such that I decided to go ahead and see if we could manage a little jog as a foursome, three dogs and their master.
Leashes attached, the brothers tore through the front door, tugging in anticipation. I think they almost enjoy more this participatory activity than running willy-nilly free, though I would love to eventually be able to control them without the leashes. For now their attitude is "no leash, no obey" and it puts them into dangerous situations I would rather avoid.
Walking 3 or 4 dogs on leashes has been a learning experience for us all. The first time we tried it I was desperate to keep the leashes untangled. Now I have concluded that the leashes are going to tangle, become braided or plaited together, and that's alright. This same process works when we are running. The only rule I try to enforce is that they walk, or run, to my left, such that they are between me and the curb. This is my own runner discipline in play since I run on the left side of the street, facing oncoming traffic 99% of the time. I figure if I keep the dogs next to the curb there is less likelihood of their getting into the way of oncoming cars. It was a struggle at first to train them to this way, but they've now picked it up pretty well. The lesson there is to be consistent in my expectations and they eventually come around to my way of thinking.
To my pleasant surprise today all three of the tuxedo brothers found a pace they liked: my pace. No one complained, though Larry did tug a bit at first. My next question was what sort of endurance they would have since Larry was new to this. Pepe and Bert have run with me several times and can now manage 3-4 miles. I kept an eye on Larry and he just kept going, not seeming to tire. Bert is still the one who will finally fall back a little bit. I slow the pace and he does fine. They all still get curious about what's going on around them, but I try to keep them focused on running and they are becoming more attuned to that with each run. They are good dogs and will eventually run some races with me. Today we managed 3 miles.
The San Antonio Roadrunners (SARR), sponsors of the Turkey Trot over at McAllister Park, allow dogs at that event. In fact, I saw one runner with a Greyhound, I would guess a racetrack rescue dog. I wouldn't want to keep up with him, nor am I sure my dogs are ready for that either. Also, the crowd of 2 thousand plus would spook them and they are still not ready to be around other dogs. That's a hurdle I hope we can clear soon, perhaps through further visits to the dog park.
As I write this all four of my pooches are chowing on the biggest bones they've seen yet. I gave each of them a pig's femur. I hope this activity will keep them occupied for awhile, though I see that Pepe has already worked through one of the ball joints on his bone and I hear the others all dutifully gnawing away. I'm still more amazed at the power of their jaws than the power of their running, though bit by bit their running athleticism is emerging. Like master, like dog, at least I guess that's what they say.
Pepe meditating.
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