It was our first outing with the new sleds. The weather was nice / -13c and sunny. All tree of us did some sledding with the dogs and had opportunity to practice passing. As a leader Pete prefers to pass to the left. Pete was a bomb. He loves it so much that on the 4th ride he started not wanting to come back to the start. The sleds were just amazing. Speed was nice. We can't wait to some day have more dogs to add to the bunch !

View the Dog Training > 2007 > 20071215 - Larose Forest Passing Clinic folder...

I took the day off and went mushing with my Mom in St-Lazarre. The Ottawa Fun-race is coming up, and we wanted to try some passing maneuvres before this week-end's event. Well, it didn't quite go as planned. Pete was great and plowed along as usual. I had to run/push up the hills, and kicked a little along the straights. Getting back to the car after 4 km, Pete and I were so tired that we took a break about 100' from the car! :-) Michele stayed behind, and the girls were pulling so much, she had to ride the break almost the whole way! :-) The girls fought a few times. I think Tsumi was very excited, and when dogs get excited, all their character traits -- good and bad -- seem to come out. :-)

Pete did pretty well. I usually rate our trainning sessions, and this one would rate an 8/10. He was responsive to commands, and caught on quickly to what the job was. He still tends to turn around up front before we take off, and I'd like the line to stay tighter, but overall, it's not too bad. I also got a chance to try out the new Hybrid Running Jacket we bought him to keep his balls nice and warm. It worked out pretty well -- I just rolled up the back end when we stopped for pee & pooh.

View the Dog Training > 2007 > 20070206 - Mushing in St-Lazarre folder...