Living in the Great Northwest, any time other then summer poses some problems when you have a dog that lives just to workout or exercise. Rain, cold and snow makes walking or dog park play, not too much fun for the human and since my dog loves water, deep puddles become a bigger problem. However, with a little bit of know how, basic obedience skills, a clicker, a few treats and some really cool music we have started dancing on a daily basis.
My dog, is what I call a "Blue Spaniel". Mom, a black Cocker and Dad, a Blue Healer, is just wild about learning anything that is clicker based! Forward, backups, sidestep, rollover, wiggle-wiggle,jump-up and high 10,and shake that back!, are just a few little tricks that we have been working on over the last month. Then add basic skills like sit, stay, wait, and down and we are ready to go!
It is so much fun, and I loved dancing with my dog. I can see the benefit of muscles being used that would go soft during these off months and because she can decide what behaviors to offer and to build on those behaviors every new dance is a new game. If I like what I see(wiggle-wiggle) we mark it and work on it until we got it shaped into our routine. A 15 -20 routine and she is so tired that she rest for several hours after wards allowing me to get back to work.
Without saying a word, her tongue hanging down and the wide grin says it all! "Mom, this is a blast!"
