Hello again ... from the last page :)

 -=> Quoting Cindy Haglund to Peter Coggon <=-

 CH> You know those retractable leashes....  We used two one each for
 CH> Patches and cosmo. After twice getting them wrapped around the back of
 CH> my bare legs never again. They're fine for some purposes but then
 CH> we're supposed to lead? 

  I was going to get one...but then after looking at the machinery
I decided that Rusty's bulk would just wear it out to being
useless.  He would always be somewhere up front, unless he met a
deer or moose then it would be a whiplash as he passed me in retreat.

 CH> This is where I DO get confused with what CM
 CH> says. In Migration Mode you should being the lead, but I guess in the
 CH> easy going explore mode on the way back it's okay for them to be a
 CH> little bit ahead. I can't help but thinking as long as the dog is on
 CH> the leash and obeys your commands he or she is still seeing you as the
 CH> pack leader. I mean look at the sled pullers.. those dogs pull the
 CH> slay they're ahead but they ALL know who the pack leader is (the
 CH> human one that is. )(

  The dogs for sleds are not average...they are nearly but 2 steps down
or close to the wolf himself.   As leader you might think you might be
in the lead, but consider the pack operation of the pack spreading out
to seek out, then call everyone together.   All my dogs do this... they
go out well in front, or the sides, in the general course of travel.
The purpose is in their collective past.   And ever notice when you
travel back, so as to the car to go home...they are either there
with you or behind following.  This is not part of the pack.

 CH> He's alert! :) Most are but notice how the ears are and tail. When my
 CH> dogs play they're fine unless the tails stop wagging the body tenses
 CH> up.. that's time to quit. Happily they seem to know when to quit and
 CH> respect each other's need to take a break.

Yes ...  He has his way.

 CH> Fighting mode needs to be stopped before it gets stated. As soon as
 CH> they start growling/ tails no longer wagging but held stiff ..and or
 CH> one or the other has his/her tail down..  time to stop.
 CH> ...........

It was the same when the neighbour's dog was same breed...they played
war until just dogged out, then they collapsed in a heap.

Whether it was play or whatever, it sometimes gets wild, and then something
happens and they sense it is time to stop.  One time they got going it
was and seemed like a real fight, but they were playing and cut each
other...and then I guess they sensed it had gone too far, and stopped
and I moved in with the first aid to tend some cuts.

 CH> I like our thread.  But yeah I see it is winding down some for now
 CH> anyway. :)
   >
 CH> Cindy
   >
 CH> ... Pets are the Soul of the Household

  It is and thats okay.  I have enjoyed it.   Been some good points
and ideas.   Not for me and another dog.   I am a bit too old now
for having a new pup...and it wouldn't be fair.

  I was happy and lucky to be brought up with dogs.  They looked
after me in the village where we lived.  They followed me and my
sister.  They protected us just by being there.  In the house
yes the soul and center where they look after the house.

  Time to close and get going ... I have to water Rusty, and add
some more vinegar, to the water to combat the fleas.  My only
problem is the cats...they are loaded, and well the live outside
mostly so I have only the vinegar and some other water things
for them to drink in the flea battle which I am winning.
  
bow wow for now...

Peter




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