Part of our instruction on Saturday at doggy class was walking two dogs side by side.
Maya was pretty good when there was a person between them, but when it came to walking side by side with the owners on the outside, well, she wasn’t quite so good and I had to stop, make her sit, and let the couple behind us pass before carrying on.
Today when I went round to walk Kela, we thought we’d try walking the two together.
Hubby took Maya as she behaves better for him when we’re out together, and I had Kela. We put the dogs side by side between us and it was truly wonderful. Hubby could not believe we would ever have been able to walk the two like this. Kela set the pace, and Maya matched her step for step, no pulling or wanting to get in front, and just once gave Kela a little nudge and a kiss as if to say ‘How am I doin’?’
Pictures taken in March. Maya is almost as tall as Kela now.
Once back at our friend’s, she was over the moon that all had gone so well, and we asked if it would be OK to walk them both together every day so that Maya kept in practice. We’d met up with three dogs on our walk this afternoon and Maya didn’t react once.
She said she was quite happy for May to explore her house and garden, though Hubby wasn’t too keen. Anyway, she went outside then suddenly came charging in covered in goo where our friend had been removing the sludge from her pond. I got the mop and washed the floor for her, then when we got home, Maya had a bath! We put some medicated shampoo in a bucket of warm water and did this outside, then hosed her down. She wasn’t that impressed but loved being dried with the towel afterwards.
My gosh! Ziggy would look like a puppy beside those two! Maya has really grown then? That pic puts it in perspective just how impressive her size will be, and Kela is simply lovely as always. What breed is Kela? Goo? Ew. π Have a great day!
Kela is a GSD X Husky and absolutely beautiful
Aww, sheβs such a good girl! π
She’s coming along splendidly!
Animals learn from others. That is excellent for Maya.
It is indeed Betty Louise.
Kela is a good mentor and friend.
She is lovely and it’s good the dogs get on as we are emergency care for her if her owner is taken ill.
Walking them together will be good for both of them.
Hopefully as it gives Kela a walk every day, and Maya some guidance and socialising.
Brilliant idea!! Kela being older and very steady was a perfect walking companion. I hope this practice sticks and Maya understands that she needs to match her strides to the dog next to her!! Sorry that she got messy but it is wonderful that the weather was good enough to allow the bath outside!!
Thanks Val.