Winter of Fun

Byker is still very young.  Barely 10 months, so I really do not do more than socialise him with the bike or any activity yet.  Instead, I still try to do that important thing to do with pups.  Have fun.

Today we had fun with the Staffies in Thetford Forest.

Check your gear

A good example of inappropriate dog activity equipment in this photo. Using a cheap carabiner clip suitable as not much than a keyring holder, to exercise three dogs at once, is not good idea.  this one is rapidly being bent apart by the force.

Here's a stronger screwgate carabiner on the bike:

Spirit of Wolfy

Above video.  11 years ago with Wolfy in Thetford Forest.

Below video, today, training Byker.

Line training with Byker

New gear day.  New canicross belt (the foam padded style that was popular years ago), new single towline, and even a running harness for Byker.  I'll have to do a bit more of this, canicross style line training just with Byker.  as he get's older, it's becoming more difficult to exercise the three dogs together:

Before anyone complains, yes I know that he's a young dog, and I'm certainly not thrashing him - I'm too out of condition for that to even be possible by Cani-X.  I hope to gradually get fitter, as he gets older and bigger.

But doesn't he look smart in his new rainbow running harness:

And it's not all work and training.  Because he's young, even during these sessions, I let him have a run around, and an explore, while practicing a little recall and basic training.  After all, that's the point of having a doggy dog like a pointer cross, rather than a siberian husky.  You can throw a stick for them, let them run around, and even expect them to safely recall.

So here he was today, having some fun with a er.. rather large staffie?  I'm sure that's what it was, but she was game for some fun with my little Kung Foo Fighter:

Inspirational Bikejor and Dog Mushing Video

Byker's first bikejor

Just a short, gentle go infront of the bike today, on the line.  My socialisation with Byker to seeing me on the bike, has worked a treat so far.  He clearly now sees a bicycle as an asset.  He enjoys doing his Dalmatian heritage thing, running out in front of the bike off line, occasionally darting to the side to sniff or pee - then catching up (I really don't try to cycle fast), and overtaking.

After our training session today, I then took the Staff X's out for some recreational bikejoring fun:

Not a bad day's work.