Pup in MTB Trail Training

Taking a pause to look up the trail, as the day
 fades back into winter, 

This day announced itself early with a soft sunny warmth that carried with it the promise that winter might be canceled, and that Spring was on its way.

Dream on, it's only late November and there's still a long way to go. But at least today, no cold-weather related excuse would be acceptable reason for not getting going, and being outside making the most of it.

With very little wind to speak of, the choice was clear, MTB trail riding, and trail dawg training.

This time, we would not have a trailing pack member guarding the rear exits in the caboose position ... just me and Z-dogg.

POLE POSITION
One thing you don't want as a rider — unless you are bikejoring (a much riskier endeavor, and more suited to an alpha lead dog like K-dogg once was) — is for the dog to get ahead of the bike.

The Easy Walk Harness is specially designed to
put gentle pressure inward at the shoulders, if the dog starts
to pull off in an unwanted direction. Crazy-strong pulling is
a thing of the past -- everything is smooth and easy with the
slightest tug.  

On a short leash the dog passing directly in front of the wheel is asking for trouble. So any time we start off, I make sure she is off to the side, and preferably behind — about 4'9" behind on the 6-foot leash.

LEASH ALERT
A little early warning of an impending problem is also a plus.

For this, I fold about the first 10 inches of leash into a three-inch, three-fold accordion bunch in my hand. If a squirrel or a another critter — four-legged, two-legged or otherwise — gets her interested enough to pull away, the leash will begin to unravel in my hand. That gives me just enough warning before the leash begins to tug. That way I can remove my hand from a gentle grip on the bar end, and coax her back into line, or be ready to take up the slack ... or worst case, release the hound if the tug is too strong to safely resist.

Outward Hound Pouch snaps open and closed for quick access to
bribes and treats.

Should sight of a taunting squirrel be just too much. It hasn't happened yet, but all it takes is one tree rat or perky eared rabbit on the trail. I know one nice savory-smelling Milo's Kitchen sausage slice treat is plenty enough bribery. The thing about Labs is they can't resist food. It comes in handy sometimes.

I keep a handful of the tasty snacks in an Outward Hound pouch slung over one shoulder and across the body. The CamelBak straps help keep it from flopping around.

So, aside from one diversion in front of the bike, when she moved toward runner who was talking loudly to his partner about running with his dog — Z-dogg naturally wanted to give her 2 cents to the discussion — the she-pup was 100% compliant with all commands, again today.

The run went smoothly. A little faster this time, although slow enough for safety in the difficult or distraction-laden spots.

What do I mean by distraction? other dogs, horses, kids by the trailside, interesting looking passers-by.

But for 95 percent of the time, she was all business. The only times she saw other dogs and started to veer off, she obeyed the leash tug (we use a special Easy Walk harness) and voice commands to "come, come, come."

Now, where's my treat? I wonder how these sausage things taste anyway?