Pages

Saturday, May 30, 2009

PackHound Training


Our friends Chris and Dan have two Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Friday and Linus. Besides getting together for play dates we also go hiking together and Friday and Zephyr are in training for the first two legs of their Pack Dog certificate through the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America. Linus is still a puppy so he doesn't carry a pack yet and just goes along for the hikes. The dogs have to build up to carrying at least 20% of their weight at the start of each days hike. So far the hardest thing about the training is keeping the dogs from exploding in to full out playing when they are supposed to be "working".

Friday and Zephyr love to splash it up.


They really seem to love hiking together.

The official hike is planned for the end of August and it will be an overnight primitive hike that will require the humans to wear packs too. So far we have at least two Swissy's, one Bernese Mountain Dog, and one Greyhound training for the hike. I have heard rumor that we may have a Bearded Collie and a Papillon join us too.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Can't say that I've ever heard of a pack greyhound. You'll have to let us know if he is the first!

Life With Dogs said...

Nigel loves his backpack - looks like you are in for real fun!

Tarmar said...

Sounds like lots of fun! Wish I could join you!

Two Greyhound Town said...

It looks like a lot of fun!

Aragon greyhounds said...

Oh my gosh I had to laugh. I tried once to teach my greyhound to hike with a pack. She laid down and wouldn't move. So far you are doing much better than I ever did.