Big Walkies

Up early enough today to scrape the ice off the car windows for JR. Then out for our training walk, which bore no resemblance to Mark's training walk yesterday. He certainly is not as good a pupil for me as he was for Mark. But we persevered, and kept stopping when he pulled ahead. And we went by the park where he saw dogs running around and so barked and pulled on the lead like mad. [Note to self: don't go that way in the mornings...]

I was ready for the day by 8:30, and so checked out a new route - through the Braid Burn. It's a lovely woodland walk, and I haven't been that way since we went on a bird watching jaunt. I worked out the buses - only one at each end, so easier than getting across town to the Water of Leith.

Well, we had a super time! We met dozens of dogs. And dog owners. We met the wee pup that Archie had barked at yesterday. No problems today - as they were off the lead. In fact, he and wee Maggie had a great time running around like mad things. Also met Brodie, out with his dog walker/dig sitter... (got her card).

We met a lady with six or seven lovely whippets, all wrapped up against the cold. They were so calm and sweet. I was trying to take a photo of them all (impossible). They were wearing bells, because when they get to the top of the hill, they rush off chasing rabbits, and the owner can hear where they are.

The only problem with this walk is that there are BIG HILLS, whichever direction I go. As I staggered up the steps, Archie patiently waited for me. He came back every time after visiting another dog. He's a different dog off the lead. Mark reckons it's 'lack of confidence'.

We'll have a bit of a rest, then go out again this afternoon. Serious stuff, this lead training. Strike while the iron is hot, and the my flesh is willing!

Here we are, half way up the steps. We both stopped to look at the view have a rest. Archie's beard is grotty - he's been digging in the mud, so he has to put up with it being washed and brushed when he gets home. Are beardy men high maintenance too?

PS we've just been round the block this evening. We met wee Maggie again, whom he'd been playing happily with in the morning. What did the charming Master Archie do? After an initial nose sniffing, he suddenly lunged at her, barking aggressively! He's like a Jekyll and Hyde dog. He may need a psychiatrist, not just a trainer ...