So Peach is still kinda timid whenever we run into guys on our walk. She's not so bad with females, she'll eventually go up and sniff and play nice, but males are just...no. I was wondering if I could have some volunteers to meet up with on a walk, and just kind of meet her and let her know that those darned male types aren't that vicious and scary (well, least not most of em)

This is an evenings/weekend kinda thing, so if any of you would be interested in giving me a hand with this, please let me know.

Much love! and many cookies!

I would be up for a walk or two for some cookies! But I'm sure she will be use to males by the time I get out there. Then she will have you running and not just walking.

Ha she already has me running! the border collie's starting to show! I just do random spurts with her when she starts like she wants to run...I'm going to talk to the vet about it when she has her appointment next wednesday (whether she's fit to do half/half run/walk...cause come on, I'm not in the kind of shape to run 1k even.)

and neil, we'll still take ya out. I may need to use you for other training reasons by the time you get out

And what would this other type of training be?

I use to run a lot, but I have been slack for the past bit. I normal run 5 to 10K when I do get out. I hope to do a small run in every province on my way out.

well, she'll still be a pup when you come down, so maybe some basic off-leash stuff, obedience amongst distractions, etc etc.

I love puppies, where do you wanna meet up?

where's good for you?

just remember raz - she's really a wuss, so you gotta be quiet and slow...

We have a 16 month old female Border Collie cross that might be a good playmate for Peach. Let's get them together soon and see how they get along.

Roj & Laureen

I heart you both. Laureen - I have your email still at work - expect one from me tomorrow!!!

Laureen & I and our two dogs met up with Kat and Peach this last Saturday afternoon and had a nice long walk down by the Bow river near where we live. Peach is a wonderful little dog and a real cutie. Very well behaved too for such a youngster.

There were a couple of funny moments during the expedition. One was when our young dog Nica was wrassling with Peach and backed her up to the edge of a small precipice adjacent to the bike path beside the river just east the Edworthy Park walking bridge. As the two were wrassling along the edge Peach took one too many steps backward and suddenly disappeared completely from view. From where we were standing it looked as though she had fallen off a steep cliff.

We all stood there motionless at first, a bit stunned at what we had just witnessed. I was the first to get to the edge where Peach had fallen over and laughed to find she had just tumbled/slid about 10 feet down a steep bank into some small brush and lots of deep soft snow. My dog Nica then leaped off the bank and went down to where Peach was so that they could continue wrassling. Then none the worse for wear the two just scrambled back up the bank to where we were standing and we continued with our walk.

What made the whole event that much more comical was the look of abject horror on Kat's face when Peach disappeared over the embankment ! I damn near pissed my pants. I wish I had had a camera with me right then.

Another funny part was when Peach ran out onto a sheet of thin ice overlying a shallow lagoon. She, of course, fell through and found herself standing in water up to her belly. Again, you should've seen the look on Kat's face ! Absolutely priceless. Peach just came bounding back onto the shore, shook, rolled around in the powder snow a couple times and kept on chasing around with our two dogs as if she had not a care in the world.

So all in all it was a fun walk and we're all hoping to get together soon and do it again. Peach was noticeably skittish around me compared to Laureen & Kat so she does need some help getting used to the idea that men can be just as nice and friendly towards her as women. I was able to make some inroads with her and gain her confidence a little but I encourage you other guys to help out with this "therapy" if you can. The more good experiences she has meeting friendly males the better off she'll be in the long run.

Roger

who needs children, my dog gives me enough heart attacks as is eh?

it was good times had by all, we'll have to do this more often for sure!