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I had to run an errand at Greenlake this morning. Greenlake is easily one of the most popular recreation areas in Seattle. . I generally avoid super popular destinations because dog and because people. But I was there, so figured we'd have a walk around the lake. . I was already annoyed with Sitka because he whines non-stop in the car (can't wait to put an end to that behavior) so when we arrived at Greenlake and he went into stimulation overload, I started to feel my heart race and noticed my breath shallow. . "This walk is going to SUCK," I predicted. . And then I stopped, took a few deep breaths, and said we've got this. For three miles, we went on the ultimate training walk. . We practiced heel, swiveling right and left around people and dogs. . We chilled out in place or down when calm dogs walked by. . We walked past unmanaged dogs and gave them space while not freaking out. . We calmy watched ducks play in the water. . We learned that umbrellas, rollerblades, and black garbage bags are scary and so we followed them and walked behind them and sat and watched them. . Sitka did GREAT. . I heard several times throughout our walk, "wow, what a good boy." "What a well-behaved dog." . Nothing makes me more proud of my dog and of MYSELF than hearing those words. . I have a little acronym I use and practice: ABT or Always Be Training. . How do you practice ABT?
Oh, well, ok, Sitka. . Someone is a little enthusiastic for their treats! . Sitka is a rather...abrupt dog. He moves very suddenly and always with a thud or at full force. He has no concept of his body position and I have to be very keenly aware of where delicate objects, like my computer...or my face...are when he's moving. He's the type of dog that could give you a concussion if you're not careful! . Anyone else's dog a bit of a hurricane when they move? . #sponsored by @zukespets #ZukesPack #LiveLifeOfeash #letsgozukes
I took Sitka to one of those mall Glamour Shots places and this was the outcome. . Or... . I got belly deep in snow and played with fairy lights. 😉
For those of you who know me, you know that I do my research. I don't make decisions without weighing my options. I've spent weeks trying to determine which rewards credit card I should get for my business. . When I buy shoes or clothing, I spend hours trying to figure out which is the best brand, doing the least amount of harm. I wonder if it's more sustainable to buy wool and leather, even though I am a vegan. . When it comes to my dogs, I do the same. Which diet is best? Which brands are making the best toys, food, gear? Which training method do I use? . A little over a year ago, I posted about my frustration with Laila. I really couldn't stand her. I just wanted to leave her at home, which is completely contrary to what I advocate: If I go, they go. . In the comments of that post, many of you suggested ecollar training. Like many, I had made assumptions about the use of such a tool, but when I saw comments from so many whom I know love the shit out of their dogs, I began to ask questions. I read books. I watched videos. I talked to trainers. I talked to clients. Dozens and dozens. Hours and hours and hours and hours. . Ecollar training didn't pan out with Laila, but now I have Sitka and I plan to have him ecollar trained with @flashdogtraining. . My choice doesn't mean that I think force free trainers aren't good dog trainers. I know many and support them here and offline. I send friends to them. . It's just not the method I'm choosing. . There is more than one way to train a dog, and you may not like my choice. That's ok. . Here's what I ask of you. Stop judging other's for their choices and pushing your beliefs on them. . If you disagree, ask questions, instead of cast your opinion. At my hippie sustainable business school, we practiced appreciative inquiry. It's a way of asking questions that recognize the best in people and open dialogue for new ideas and discoveries. . Ask leading questions, like "What led you to this decision?" "Why did you decide to make this choice?" "What opinion did you previously have about xxx?" . This is how we learn and how we create bridges, not walls. My challenge to you is to practice appreciative inquiry today.
Let's say you have a friend who is writing a book about hiking with dogs (cause ya do, but more on that soon). 😉 . It's a guide book that will contain everything you need to know about hiking and camping with dogs, finding hikes, packing food and water, trail dangers, choosing the right gear, etiquette, trail commands, and more. . I have a chapter outline due soon and would love your input. . What chapter topics would you absolutely want to see in such a book? . Let me know in the comments below!
I've started to make some plans for Sitka and me for 2020. It's hard to make exact goals, since I'm not sure where I'll be when, but here are a few I've got on our list: 🐾 Run the 20-mile Peterson Ridge Rumble 🐾 Send Sitka to @flashdogtraining 🐾 Do a solo overnight backpacking trip (or 2 or 3) 🐾 Paddle camp 🐾 Visit a new state 🐾 Organize or participate in a trash clean up with @keepnaturewild 🐾Do a bike to beer ride (or 2 or 3 or 4) . Don't forget to enter my contest (two posts back) and check out my stories for even more ideas and inspiration!
I have really fallen for this sweet boy. . Sometimes, I catch myself asking him who the best dog in the world is. And I stop myself mid sentence, feeling a bit guilty. . Because that's Sora, you see. . So Sitka, he's the goodest boy in the world.
On this first day of 2020, I wanted to do something small to encourage everyone to get outside with their dogs this year with a small giveaway. . PRIZE: A copy of @sup_with_pup book My Dog and Me Bucket List. . This journal is filled with adventure ideas and space to write about your experience with your dog. . HOW TO ENTER: 1. follow @sup_with_pup and @longhaultrekkers. 2. Like this post. 3. Tell me one adventure goal you have planned for you and your dog in 2020 in the comments below. . That's it! Content ends Monday, Jan 6 at midnight and is in not endorsed by Instagram.
If I think about 2019, I might say that it wasn't my favorite year. However, when I really ponder all of the experiences I had, I'm not so sure I can make that statement. . In grad school, we'd play a sort of game on the three-hour drive home back to Portland called High, Low, Sleeper. The aim was to reflect on our weekend. I did the same for 2019 and was surprised with what I came up with. . Sleeper, for those who don't know, means the unexpected moments, "good" or "bad." . High 🐾 Adopting Sitka 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Visiting Scotland this summer and getting to meet @roman.around.scotland 🇮🇹 Spending a week in the Italian Dolomites with @myadventuresacrosstheworld 👭 Reuniting with one of my favorites, @youdidwhatwithyourwiener 💰 Raising $2000 in honor of Sora for @thebrodiefund 👩‍💻 Being accepted to Mediavine, an ad network for bloggers 🥾 Meeting @5280colorado dogs in Colorado for a winter hike 🏃‍♀️ Finishing the @trail2heaven 25k feeling strong, confident, and most importantly, with a smile on my face. 🎿 Backcountry skiing for the first time in Andorra. . Low 💔 Getting divorced . Sleeper 🇱🇸 Moving back to the PNW - I'm not exactly where I want to be right now, but I'll get there. 🇫🇷 Meeting my parents for a few days in Paris 🏔️ Spending a month in Bend, meeting some wonderful new friends and spending quality time with some old ones. . So, how does your year actually look when you reflect back? . If you like, I'd love for you to share a high, low, and sleeper from 2019 in the comments.
52 Week Adventure Checklist

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52-WEEK ADVENTURE DOG CHECKLIST

 

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