Almost half way there..

.. for one of them anyway...

The last update from the Training Centre is that Toby is continuing on with regular obedience, while Sequoia will the next week be in specific training to work on her issues of aggression towards other dogs. This was the main reason for "shipping" her off. She will most of the time play great with dogs, she'll lay down and let little dogs play on her, she will be pulled and she will pull, she'll behave like a good dog. Then there is the occasion when she'll start to show signs of stress and dislike with the play, she'll start off whit lifting her lips a little bit, if this doesn't turn the other dog around, she'll show the pretty white teeth, most of the time this will turn the other dog around, but in the case of the other dog not taking this "dominance", it'll go to the next step --> doggie fight!! She does not accept that other dogs want to be the alpha and this is not acceptable to me as it creates situations out of my control. She is big and can easily cause lots of damage. On trail runs I always have to worry about meeting other dogs as on the trail it she is more likely to try to be dominant than at the dog park. This is my favorite time with them, as well as their favorite time, and I'd like to be able to give them this time. As a dog owner it's hard to accept that your loving, huggable, fluffy dog needs work. If Sequoia did never have to deal with other dogs or people, she is the perfect dog for me. But what kind of life would that mean to her? Be on a leach for the rest of her life, no more socializing at the dog park, no more being a dog!? That is how a lot of people would deal with this issue. Keep the dog away from what could turn ugly or stressful situations. I'm hoping it can be different and that training Sequoia the right way, she can be a good dog, more predictable and earn the right to enjoy a real dog life! So that is her focus for the next week! This also means she'll be one week behind in the regular obedience training, which Toby is on right now, so unfortunately her stay will be extended with an extra week. But in the end she'll be a happier dog, and I'll just have to suffer one more week of withdrawal.

Toby is on schedule as far as I know. No real update on how he is adjusting but I'm exited that he is halfway through and soon to come home. It's been a real experience to be part for this long, most people that do not have pets will not understand this connection, but they become such big part of your life and when not around it truly is an adjustment.
I missed the race in UT last weekend due to work. I finished up work late Saturday night and headed down to Edmonton Sunday for a training course.
This last week in Edmonton have been ok, the weather for this time of the year is great! I got to try out the Ibis Mojo last night and really like it, though very unsure about what bike to get if I go a bit bigger. Suggestions???
Course is done today, just having lunch as we speak, then Saturday I'll fly out to sunny FL to visit with my dad. Very exiting! Tomorrow I'll head down to Calgary for the day, maybe get a ride in.

Enjoy the November weather,

happy riding,

kate

Toby and Sequoia....

..have been gone since Saturday and yesterday I thought I was over the initial shock of leaving them behind. But today I think I miss them more than ever again. It's not at all the same to go home knowing they are not there and being at home is neither. I've quickly learned that I'll be the part of this experience that will suffer the most, not the dogs! They adapt and as I've learned does not have the same emotional relationship as humans do. I need them in my life, they make me balanced and they make any crappy day seem like a walk in the park, they sure know how to make you smile through anything (well.. guess I forgot about the Oakley's, shoes, jackets, underwear etc...). Though for them it is more about survival, get fed, have a lead, feel safe etc. Though I still like to think they think of me once in a while :)

The TrailRunners (click on the link to view their website) have been great so far. I'm (probably just like any other annoying dog owner) wanting information every minute of the day, and they feed me with what they can.

Toby and Sequoia have slowly started settling in. Toby seem to eat great while Sequoia has backed off. I would have thought the total opposite. Toby usually will not eat when I'm not home, while Sequoia will eat any day any time, so I hope she'll get passed this and start eating. They are still playing on their own, they will eventually get to mingle with other dogs but they are giving them time to learn the smells and sounds in the environment they currently live in. Currently they are being trained to become "followers" and not the "leaders" that they are used to being (what??? I thought I was the leader, guess I'll have to think again). I'm sure they both love this part of the training, and in fact most dog books will tell you that animals will look for this, and if not present it will cause a lot of confusion, distraction and bad energy. So if I've read all this how come I couldn't figure it out?

I think the time most people have is not always sufficient. We get up in the morning, take our dogs for their 30-60min walk, try to get them to obey, after a few tries they might obey and we praise them and go home, or they never obey during the walk but you still have to make it to work in time so we leave it at that. Then they are on their own for the rest of the day, until you come home from work, take them for their longer outing, little more focus on training if you feel like it, then you're tired and frustration come in play and the dogs will suffer. No consistency! At least that is how I have felt. I've tried very hard to set my self as the lead, but I don't have the time every day to repeat the behaviour when they finally get it, to keep doing it, over and over again, until they get what they are suppose to do. This is where I believe sending my dogs away for focused training for 30 days will help. This doesn't mean I believe the dogs will become "champion" dogs after 30 days and stay that way without continuous work. But I hope they will learn what to do, and how to follow and then it's up to me to keep putting in the time to maintain it, which should be significantly less than the initial "programing" and something I believe if you have a dog, need to make time for. I always try to think of my self as a dog owner who have a dog for me, but also for the dog. I chose to have them, so I need to cater to them in a way they deserve. I didn't want a dog to live its life on a leach, in the house and live like a person do. I'd like them to run loose in the bush, and do what they love, explore smells etc. And that is why I send them away, so I can give them all this with no worries. I didn't send them away to avoid the work it takes, I just came to realise I needed help to give my dogs a happy dogie life!

So hope this helps for those who ponder and wonder why people would have dogs, then send them off and to those who wonder if they should get this kind of help. We have just started this exercise, but will keep you in the loop on the results as we go on. How it affects me and how the dogs are doing and in the end if it is something worth doing to better the life for both dog and owner.

Happy Trails!

kate

29 days to...

...pick up time! The champion dogs will be back! So I thought I'd use the blog to inform others who might think of sending their dogs away (ahh.. I know, and awful thought) for training to what it's like, hopefully from the dogs view and my own view. The folks at TrailRunners gave some feedback to some of my concerns and questions yesterday and will do so as the 29 nine days goes on! :)
I'm feeling somewhat better today after reading a "tread" on mymcmurray from a guy who sent his Husky off to the TrailRunners as well, and it was very successful. I also got a very informative email from them today, and here it goes...

"Good morning Kate.

I could se that you were apprehensive but I want to reassure you that they are adjusting well already. Dogs (unless they are quite old or have nervous disorders learn to adapt to new environments and homes, sometimes it takes up to to a week until they are completely relaxed.

I think we can see it like this. As humans we tend to form long term emotional attachments with other people, that is the way we are wired. If something happens to the other person or group or we are separated from them for a time we can be permanently impacted by the loss and be affected for even years or a lifetime. That is because one of our core needs as humans seems to be long term relationships..

For dogs they also have core needs but these are different from peoples. Loss and separation shock seems to be shorter term for them. One of the main needs they have in order to feel safe and secure, is knowing they have a capable leader that they are able to respect and feel protection from. That is the way it is in the wild packs of the world. The leader is the protector and even though the alpha does put the other dogs in their place if they get out of line (not by hurting them but more by posture and gesture) .

Here we quickly establish our position as the alpha dog, with the dogs in training. In this we are meeting their most basic need so that they feel secure. In tier eyes we become the leader who does not hurt them but who does not let them dominate either. They then feel safe and are relaxed and happy. The behaviors that you spoke of especially the going aggressive towards other dogs while walking, is showing that they feel they have to be the leader and protector of you and even through your most sincere efforts have not been able to convince them that you are worthy to be their protector all of the time. That is why they are trying to do that for you instead, with these other dogs, trying to make you safe and secure the best way they can think of. Once they know how much you can be in control (and thus worthy of their respect and 100% followership) there will be a big change in this area.

What we do here is gently and firmly establish that we are the leader in all and every situation. When you come for the dogs during our time with you we transfer the ability for that to you so that you can feel confident that you are doing all of the right things to be the alpha. I know that "alpha" word seems over used these days and at times I wish I could find a better word, but it is true and there is no better word.

In the "den", in their crates in the training center during night time and rest times, they can near and smell and see an feel that there are a number of dogs in there and that they are all at peace, quietly resting. This is another way that they know that it is going to be safe for them too, as the rest of the "pack" (no better word here either) is at rest also. They become part of this group dynamic.

So while we may think often of our pets when we are separated from them because of the way we are wired, they are as far as we can tell, are not necessarily thinking of us the same way. Since they feel safe, protected, and are fed and cared for properly, we find that even the dogs who at first are worried, calm right down.. And then when their owners arrive again, they (like the elephant that never forgets) are thrilled and excited to see us again.. We have had dogs here up to 6 moths and they never forget the owners.

Anyways I hope this helps.
We will do our best to keep you pasted however since we spend so much time in and around the training center it helps to get an email from you requesting some more news. We don't have a problem with answering emails as often as you like."

A long and in-depth view on how we differs from the dogs, and it seems to make sense. I'm excited to follow the progress. So I guess the dogs are settling in and so am I. I think the more information the better I feel, so treads like the one on MyMcMurray and the respond above are welcome. In the mean time I'll keep busy and try to take advantage of having some time off with the dogs.

Today I finally cleaned the race bike after Crank the Shield!! In around 0 degrees, so the steamer had to come out to get the water flowing in the hose, and the rest had to go on in the living room. Now it's nice and shiny and ready for a few laps in Hurricane next weekend, Gem trail here I come!

Here is the result of the last day of the Crank, when the derailleur came off I didn't even look at the seat stay, and didn't notice the crack, it never got all the way through during the last part in to the finish, which is great, but the boys at Hardcore let me know, and now there is a redesign for 2010.

After polishing up the GreenMachine. I got in a much needed ride! Cross ride in Birchwood! It was great to ride again, after this long (besides the frozen toes). Now I just need to get in shape for hmmm?? this weekend ouch!

So it's been an eventful weekend, tomorrow it's back to the less eventful life....

Keep it up Toby and Sequoia, miss you guys!

Happy Riding!

kate

Fall update...

So it's been a while once again... lots going on but at the same time nothing really to write about. My new job is still the same old, keeping me on my toes and makes me think.... a lot, sometimes about things I shouldn't think about! Biking is really lacking in my life right now. Since the Crank, I've probably had a couple or so rides in. But I've been able to work on some trails and had some great hikes. The fall is so far pretty good, a winter scare that past by pretty quick and now we're back to fall again, nice and brisk. I was hoping to get on my cross bike this year, but then I took up another project on the house, and when I start something I get caught up in it. I put in a little mudroom in front of my hall way coming in to the house. Pictures later..

Now the biggest news on what's going on now is the dogs! Yesterday we took off from FtMcMurray and headed to Edmonton first, quick stop to pick up my fixed green machine.. there was more to the derailleur problem than I thought. The seat stay actually cracked and now I have a temporary new one until we get the new design of 2010 in, which should fix the problem of a apparently poor design. Though the purpose and destination of the trip was SK, Big River! This morning we completed the trip and dropped off Sequoia and Toby at the Trailrunners Pet Resort and training centre.... they are there not for pedicures but for training! aahh..
We have heard good things about this place and for a while thought about enrolling them into some sort of a program to deal with some of the unwanted behavior. And now they are gone for 30 days! It looks like a very neat place, we did a quick tour of it, before taking off and back to McMurray. Toby didn't look too impressed, he shook and cried a bit, and Sequoia watched the truck when we left until we were out of sight, sad as well. But I know this is the best for them and hopefully they will settle in just fine. I'm probably as disturbed as they at this point and many times during the drive home the thought of turning around to pick them up came to me. But I made it home, and with no doggies :(

The next few weeks I'll make sure to stay busy... I'm working all through this week, then I take off on a marathon trip to Hurricane UT! Meet up with Steve and Karen to race a 24hr there. Not sure what I'm thinking, but as usually probably not thinking at all!!! Hopefully Steve is prepared to ride a lot! Apparently I'll be picked up in Vegas (luxury motor home will be waiting) and off to Hurricane Thursday night, then race start Saturday and end Sunday, then I fly back Sunday shortly after race. Should be very little time to miss the dogs :) Then a week of training in Edmonton followed by a trip to FL to see my dad :) So lots of fun coming my way... and before I know it, I'll be on my way back to Big River, SK to pick up the champion dogs!!

I will try to keep some progress updates as it goes on, though I'm sure the trainers are quiet busy, so they probably won’t answer my hours request of updates :)



Miss you pups!! be good..

kate

Day 3 cts

Wow, what a day!
Brisk morning but the camp offered a great breakfast buffet and hot coffee to get us going. The day would start with a 17km neutral ride to the start then 54km to the finish. My favorite day last year.
A pretty fast start so I let off to not burn and bonk like the day before as I knew the last part of the course was demanding as well. I only had about 5 min on second but not too concerned as I knew our differences. So if I can just keep her behind me or in contact until secon half ill be good.
She eventually caught up to me on some of the longer road sections and I did what I could to just hang on. I manage to do so until we hit the beginning of the fun for the day. We chatted and I had no worries as we rode away on some fun single track. All of a sudden on a flat I hear Snap! What! My derailure is on the ground attached to the cable only on wrong side of wheel with a spoke stuck around cogs. Oh well. I had a spare hanger so no worries a few minutes and I should be back up. But as the new hanger went on I had to take the half left on the deraillure off, but that was not gone happen. It was jammed and bent so it was impossible to get off. A few strong guys and some hammering rocks but no luck! So eventually I had to accept the fact that it was done. I had no cable cutter and my fancy cement end made it impossible (for me anyway) to get deraillure off so with some back patches and old tape it was mounted on the chainstay. The spoke a problem at this point. I made it a single speed but as I rode chain kept coming off or putting so much tension on the wheel that it bent and rubbed the frame. I made it to the second feed and got some help setting chain but shortly after it snapped! And it snapped a few times. I'm now pro with the chain tool! From second feed to end it wad about 17km. I jogged and walked most ups and flats and rolled down. At on down my nicely wrap of a spoke decided to unwrap so I got some plastic bag and had to tie it off to another spoke. But the weather was great, the lakes I rode by beautiful and the many riders I got to ride with briefly as they flew by made it all worth to keep jogging along. The single track decent were still great and so was the BBQ waiting for me at the finish!
All in all I've been spared for major mechanicals for all my races so this is just part of the game. I missed the podium this day and the overall win but held on to second.
Sarah finished in great shape today. Three days of long hours in the saddle, what a way to jump into the mountain bike racing. Very impressive, way to go Sarah!
So with all my trouble I ended up winning a Norco bike frame. Not bad. Thanks to Norco for helping out with breaks and supporting the event.
Crank the Shield is well put on, a great fall event with great riding and highly recommended. Now boarding flight enroute Fort McMurray.

Happy Riding
kate
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Sarah is back!

She did it again! Long day in the saddle but nothing was gone stop her from finishing todays 87 km ride. She had a good day and ready for some dinner and a shower!
Good Job!

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Day 2 cts

The Juicy loaner worked great!
The stage today started with breakfast at six, load bags and then a short ride on the hgw to the start line. It was pretty cool but perfect again for riding. The start was a little quicker than yesterday and things felt really good today. The trail was lots of fun, lots of ups and downs on exposed rock and dirt and with the ability to stop in an instant I could enjoy all the decents to the fullest. I felt so great I totally forgot about the importance of eating! With less than 30 km to go (mostly double track and rail road) I hit the wall to the point of no recovery. I ate, drank and "rested" but there was no coming back. So I accepted the fact that for the remaining rail road ride it was gone be about survival.
I made it home and overall the fun today totally makes it a great day of riding and a valuable lesson learned to add to the experience.
Had a ice bath in the warm lake and waiting for Sarah. I hope she had an equally great day.
More to come!

Happy Riding!
kate
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Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Day 1 cts

Red spots on carpet under bike should not be ignored!
The little bit of rain in the morning stopped by the time of the start. The day brought pretty perfect riding weather. But right off the start something seemed more wrong with my rear break than before. It was totally dead! I tried to do a bit of pumping but nothing. Then I though of the red spot at the hotel, guess it wasn't there before and soon ill probably see the bill in the mail. The good thing is I still had a front break but my head was not getting over the dissapointment of the break after spending all the prior morning getting them fixed. Long story short I never got into it Day 1. Legs didn't have it, head was off and all the great added single track that I should normally enjoy was just a pain. At the very end I manage to turn my mindset around and started focusing on the amazing scenery with the rocky single track and beautiful lake.

Sarah on the other hand had a great day! When I finally found her she was still smiling and I'm happy as it was definitely a very demanding course. Con grats on pulling through stage one!

Stage 2 will be less technical but still good riding on lots of exposed rock so with a rear break on loan (thanks to the Norco folks!) I hope for a better day.

Happy riding!
kate
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Haliburton

We made it to Haliburton just before seven after a pretty scenic drive up. We did registration and looked at the course for tomorrow. Its new from last year and the story is less water and some new cut single track. It might even become the best of the three. We will see.
There was a lodge restaurant at the park so we decided to eat before heading to hotel. Food looked great but hidden behind the great look was some way overcooked pasta and bland sauce and a yacky feeling after. The window view was pretty though, so all is good.
Another 20+ km and we are now at the hotel. Bikes are tuned and bags repacked in the new crank bags, a little upgrade from last year. Sarah even tested her new race outfit, crank it up!
Race start at ten thirty, possible showers, 15-18 degrees, should be a good day for riding!

Happy riding!

kate
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