ridecamp@endurance.net: re:training dogs to accompany on rides
re:training dogs to accompany on rides
Susan Willis (smw@sos.sos.net)
Mon, 5 Jun 1995 20:07:15 -0700
I live in an area that requires some road riding on a very busy, curvy road
in order to reach the trails where I work my horses. I have a shelty
female that always goes with me, and I was very concerned for her safety
when we first began riding this area. Because she was fairly solid in
her obedience training when I was not mounted, it was an easy step for me
to teach her a few basic "trail" commands. To recall her to my horse's
side when I heard oncoming traffic I use the command "come-stay",
which
she soon learned and now she will return on her own at the sound of
approaching vehicles even before I give the command (she's been doing
this for five years.)
She has also learned "off trail" to yield the right of way to myself or
other riders, a very useful command.
Our final command was learned two years ago when neighbors on our road
got a pair of labradors that like to terrorize my little shelty. I give
her the command "home" and she high-tails it across country (much shorter
than my route by road) to the safety of our property. She has never had
a problem outrunning the bigger dogs, and is always home well before me.
This is also a useful command when I don't wish her to follow me - I can
send her back at the beginning of our ride.
Having a dog along is no substitute for another companion on horseback,
but it beats riding alone. Be persistent with your training methods, and
always consider safety first.
wishing you many happy rides,
RYDYR, smw@sos.net