Post by Dave on Mar 17, 2013 17:09:04 GMT -5
I wanted to share todays hike with you guys. Just when I think it can't get better for Sedona, she proves me wrong. Sorry, no pictures... she was two handsful today!
We got to the parking area before most of the other hikers. I was a little upset that the lot was populated by young hikers (it was very near the Appalachian Trail) playing ball and being loud, something that I knew would not go well with Sedona. I prepped her in the car (halter, sweater) and Maryellen came over and helped me get her out of the car, with LOTS of help from Sadie
Sedona was pretty high after greeting Sadie and Rufus.
Then she saw the hikers. She immediately went into shutdown, tried to back out of her halter, strained to get back to the car, and just tried everything to get away. She hadn't done that in quite some time. I tried some calming exercises, tried to distract her and she did calm a little. We had to walk past them to start the hike, and thankfully they all stood quietly to the side and let us pass so there was no real trauma. She did fine after that episode.
Once we got underway and it was just us hikers and dogs, Sedona quickly became comfortable. She relaxed her tail, started noticing others and began her routine for the rest of the hike, which was to notice someone or their dog, grin hugely, rush them for a fly-by smoochie and then dance away. After a short time she became hugely annoying, and at one point had a three boxer dogpile on her! She was loving it.
We walked for a while with Maryellen and Rufus and Sadie, when all of a sudden she rushed Sadie and there was some jumping and hopping and tongues and panting and more hopping. She even started antagonizing Rufus, so much that I had to create space between them! She was absolutely bent on jumping him at one point.
Through it all everyone was giggling and laughing at her antics, all dogs were very friendly and animated and gravitated toward her today. She was just so happy I hated to see it end.
I have to get a GoPro camera so I can get video to show you guys. I wish all of you could see what I do.
We got to the parking area before most of the other hikers. I was a little upset that the lot was populated by young hikers (it was very near the Appalachian Trail) playing ball and being loud, something that I knew would not go well with Sedona. I prepped her in the car (halter, sweater) and Maryellen came over and helped me get her out of the car, with LOTS of help from Sadie
Sedona was pretty high after greeting Sadie and Rufus.Then she saw the hikers. She immediately went into shutdown, tried to back out of her halter, strained to get back to the car, and just tried everything to get away. She hadn't done that in quite some time. I tried some calming exercises, tried to distract her and she did calm a little. We had to walk past them to start the hike, and thankfully they all stood quietly to the side and let us pass so there was no real trauma. She did fine after that episode.
Once we got underway and it was just us hikers and dogs, Sedona quickly became comfortable. She relaxed her tail, started noticing others and began her routine for the rest of the hike, which was to notice someone or their dog, grin hugely, rush them for a fly-by smoochie and then dance away. After a short time she became hugely annoying, and at one point had a three boxer dogpile on her! She was loving it.
We walked for a while with Maryellen and Rufus and Sadie, when all of a sudden she rushed Sadie and there was some jumping and hopping and tongues and panting and more hopping. She even started antagonizing Rufus, so much that I had to create space between them! She was absolutely bent on jumping him at one point.
Through it all everyone was giggling and laughing at her antics, all dogs were very friendly and animated and gravitated toward her today. She was just so happy I hated to see it end.
I have to get a GoPro camera so I can get video to show you guys. I wish all of you could see what I do.
I look forward to learning much here