Scootering with Rakka
Well, I made my first attempt to have Rakka pull me on my scooter out on the gravel road. Didn't go too well! She's waaaay stronger than she looks. When I was teaching Tojo this, I went out with the scooter almost right away because he was small enough to correct when he went the wrong way, but this is not the case with Rakka. Holy crap, though, she is really strong and fast. She pulled me into the ditch and I crashed big time. Wasn't too bad, but I did get a handlebar to the chest. Back to basic training with this one! I think I will need a buddy next time.
Comments
LOL! Are you okay???
I remember having Lynx pull me on the skateboard as a PUPPY! And she dragged me one time near the grass and I almost went flying.
Always a must with the "breaks". Be careful and have fun on your next try! <--- maybe wear extra padding? -very big grin-
I totally missed this post - sorry for the delay. :c)
Heidi - I hope you are ok! I know exactly what you mean as far as the Shikoku's power goes - it's really very impressive.
I had a similar situation the few times I first tried with Ahi, it was a mess - she was darting all around after any scent she smelled. I have been training her on lead and not on wheels, I'm hoping to get her up to speed in time for Loa to be at an age she can start training to pull. Right now I am limited on space, so I'm waiting for the move before I really step up the training.
Part of Hilo's rehab is pulling, so I have been using positive reinforcement on him to train him to pull me - it's gone REALLY well. He really seems to love to pull and have a job. Ahi is a bit more difficult, she responds well to positive reinforcement but she almost seem to worry she is gonna pull me to hard when I'm just walking... she seems very hesitant - she pulls well tho if I run, but I'm not as fast as her.
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Heidi - When it comes to pioneering mushing with Japanese breeds, I think you and I may have a long road ahead of us.
Oh, I'm fine, I didn't get hurt too bad. I just had a sore spot on my chest for a while.
Rakka seems hesitant to pull, too. She keeps looking back at me like, "Are you sure?" Right now, we're just getting her to walk around with the tension of the harness so that she gets used to the idea of keeping tension while in harness. I might hook Loki and Rakka up at the same time. I don't usually take Loki out scootering because he doesn't really seem to enjoy it, but he's steady, knows the basic commands, and is a huge, unmovable rock, so he might be able to stabilize Rakka. Or, he might get excited and go running off in the same direction as her... One thing's for sure, I will have Noah help me next time I go out with the scooter by going out in front and luring her along.
I never thought of myself as a pioneer before, but that's much more noble than what some non-doggie folk say when I tell them my plans.
I like this whole mushing thing...and with Shikoku.
I think it would be great to have a whole team of "mushing" Shikoku! <-- just an excuse for getting more dogs.
Random Person: "Why do you have so many dogs?"
Me: "Um...cause they are my sled team!"
lol.
Don't listen to the non-doggie folk. You just get out there and MUSH! That'll show 'em. They are the ones mising out on all the fun.
Just watch out for the handlebars...
...kay?