OK, so we haven’t tried canicross yet, though the concept that “your dog is actually supposed to be pulling you” is quite compelling since that is kind of how it goes now anyway. The thought of tying Brody to a bicycle seat, scooter, or anything with wheels fills me with a deep sense of dread. I think for now, in order to keep it simple, I have two main goals for us in the next few months:
1. Learn to paddleboard (me first, then I’ll throw him on and see what happens.)
2. Get back into running. He’s fine, I’m the one who needs to ease back into things. Maybe I should get those sneakers the kids wear with the wheels on the back so I can run, but then when we hit a big hill, flip down the wheels and let him drag me along.
I’m dying to doga and do all the other crazy stuff too like skijoring, but I have to rein in my enthusiasm until I get some of the basics out of the way, like, you know, running technique. Boring stuff. But I’m always up for something new and exciting instead.
And then I saw this: I’d thought I’d seen it all in terms of crazy dog exercises, but somehow Canine Freestyle eluded me until just this very week. Why didn’t anyone tell me?
I got all excited when I heard the word “freestyle” because I thought it meant you got out there and did your thing, and your dog did their own thing, and I thought to myself, “We could totally do that.” I can do the running man in the middle while Brody runs around in circles and barks. It would be epic. But no, you actually do have some serious choreography in the freestyle event. All right, we’re out for now. But just wait- I think Brody could do the Cabbage Patch with a little practice.
As fun as this was to watch, the thing that mesmerized me the most was the happy attitude displayed by the dog. That is joy, right there. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
Or is it about the costumes? I really can’t tell.
I’ll be honest, I know Brody loves it but I find running kind of a slog. I want to come up with something we both love to do. We need to find our freestyle. Preferably one that does not involve coin belts or purple lycra.
But for now- running! Training! Endurance building! I hope with enough exclamation points I will actually begin to believe my own enthusiasm! That’s OK, Brody is enthusiastic enough for the both of us. Well worth every blister to keep the house from another Jimmy Poo incident.
I can’t believe you’ve never seen that wonderful video of dancing Rookie! That is one of the best videos out there because it is so obvious that Rookie is having an absolute blast.
As for the whole exercise thing…ugh. I have tried the running bit but have shin splints that makes it miserable. I would love to take my two bike riding (well, me riding, them running along beside), but I’m like you and the thought of tying my Mosby to anything with wheels and me attached leaves me with visions of serious road rash and mangled limbs. Can’t do dancing with him because between the two of us I think there may be 6 left feet, LOL.
Good luck and can’t wait to see what you come up with for you and Brody.
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing. It’s sort of mindboggling to think about how long it would take to teach each of those steps… and then to chain them all together? Wow. Daphne & Faegan are happier sleeping on the couch, methinks…
Hey! We just saw someone Skijoring with their chocolate lab this weekend! The dog looked like he was having a blast zipping down the slope!
Ok, I applauded at the end. I’d watch that over Dancing with the Stars any day.
That video really is amazing! My vet mentioned it to me because Gilbert is extreeeeeeeeeemely food motivated so she thought he’d be great at it. But that is not for me. Perhaps some agility, which does not require shiny outfits!
Awesome video!! That dog looks over-the-moon happy!! I think you and Brody could do it! 🙂
We tire our Siberian out by having him pull us on the bicycle or kicksled. The bike took a bit of time/training, not to mention that a couple of bikes didn’t make it through training. But SO worth it now! AND no one broke any bones 😀
Good luck! You’ll find what makes you both tick! I agree with you on running…BLAH!
So you do bikejoring! I’d love to see pictures!
you can always learn merengue http://sorisomail.com/partilha/74298.html
Freestyle is a blast! The best part is that everyone can do it no matter the dog, no matter the person. I used to belong to a freestyle club and got away from it (no time to do everything), but would love to get back into it.
That’s one of the funniest things I’ve seen in ages! The choice of song probably helped. That dog was smiling the whole time, obviously enjoying himself and the undivided attention from mama.
“Jimmy Poo incident” – priceless!
I signed us up for freestyle workshop a few weeks ago mostly because we were in between classes and Misha was getting cabin fever. Not really something I thought we would pursue ‘cuz I can’t dance worth a darn but we had soooo much fun that I signed us up to take classes. I LOVE seeing my big scared dog having this much fun! No lycra in my future though, I would choose a fun, upbeat silly song (and jeans).
Love Richard Curtis and Jazz – Thriller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbhHD89kOc
And horses can do it too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAfRbJWTlPs
Wow. Totally floored. I can’t even get my pup to come in from the backyard if she’s not feeling it and I’m not holding a whole steak in front of her. Go Carolyn and Rookie!! You an Brody can totally do this! You just need the right music…
**Awesome** Turns out Kolchak is very well-trained at canicoross and I never even knew it. He must be studying hard while I am at work ;0) We are working on fitness at Casa de Kolchak too. Someone has signed me up for not one but TWO 5 km “adventure” runs this year. (Apparently in racing terms adventure means “difficult as woof”) I’m going to be really upset if the zombies get me at the Run for Your Life.