Coach Dogs

Our Dalmatians had a fabulous time today training to be coach dogs.  It was a gorgeous fall day, perfect for horse riding and training dogs.  Our old boy, Wishbone, is a great coach dog and has been going horse riding with us for 10 years, and even though he is getting pretty slow at 12 years old, he refuses to be left behind.  Since Victory finished his conformation championship, we are starting to work on his coaching training.  He absolutely loves going along with the horses and is a great student.  We have someone riding and someone walking alongside the horse with the dog on a lead teaching him to stay with the horse, but not so close that he will get stepped on or kicked.  And, he also must learn to pay attention to commands from the rider on the horse, which for him is more challenging than Vegas, our young girl.  Vegas is constantly looking up at me on the horse when she goes along, but Victory is always looking around everywhere when he goes.  But he watches the horse carefully, which is good.  We are training them to wait, when the horse stops, stay, sit, leave it, stick with the horse, and pay attention to the rider.  It will be awhile before it all comes together with these young dogs.  But, for them, getting to go along with their master and the horses is a blast, and our horses love to have the dog’s companionship on the trail.  Attached are pictures of the dogs, Wishbone, Victory, and Vegas, and horses, Jet (black POA) and Junior (Paint.)

To raise a champion dog, you must first get a really nice puppy from a reputable breeder, feed them quality food, make sure they have proper vaccinations and veterinary care, and socialize them.  To socialize, you’ve got to take them places, such as pet stores, flea markets, other people’s homes, walking through the neighborhood, and any place else where they will meet people, other animals, strange noises, and unfamiliar sights.  They must also learn to stay quietly in a crate, walk nicely on a leash, and go potty on a leash.  I will talk more about raising a champion in my next blog.