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mushing
Oct 20, 2009 21:33:03 GMT -5
Post by mushingdales on Oct 20, 2009 21:33:03 GMT -5
Hi all - well, fall training has officially started! Have had the (2-yr old) "pups" out twice with the older dogs so far - just 2 miles each time, and they have done very well. Maybe not as fast as they could be, but they certainly didn't stop at any time in the run.
Have decided to run a 6-dog team in the race comming up Nov. 7&8. Keeps me from having to decide who to leave at home if I were to just run a 4 dog team, ha ha. So the next two weeks will be VERY busy!
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mushing
Oct 20, 2009 21:44:19 GMT -5
Post by thistlesdale on Oct 20, 2009 21:44:19 GMT -5
pretty exciting stuff!
hoping for some photos here!!
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mushing
Nov 5, 2009 20:49:17 GMT -5
Post by mushingdales on Nov 5, 2009 20:49:17 GMT -5
Well, the big race is happening this weekend! Afraid I'm going to be operating more on prayers than training. Funny how 'life' gets in the way of fun things like training dogs. But I sent in the entry anyway = will be running 6 dog team again, both days. Weather is supposed to be good, and as long as there isn't too much head on passing, we should be fine! Will report later.............
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mushing
Nov 5, 2009 21:25:22 GMT -5
Post by jespinoza on Nov 5, 2009 21:25:22 GMT -5
Keep us posted I am really interested in how it goes. Good Luck!!!
John
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mushing
Nov 8, 2009 20:39:06 GMT -5
Post by mushingdales on Nov 8, 2009 20:39:06 GMT -5
YIPPIE - 3RD PLACE (and in the money for the first time!) Not a spectacular race - little imps really balled up/tangled badly both days. First day I think the father of the pups may not have liked the gravel road surface? and put the brakes on, (and he was in lead!) Today we had a head-on pass and my gang wanted to turn and follow/chase. Then a couple of the "pups" (better known as yearlings, even they are just over 2) wanted to sniff every drop that had been left at the edge of the trail by other teams! But at least now I know where to focus the rest of my fall training, ha ha. Sorry no photos to share - yet - photog who was working on Sat ended up sick and in hospital on Sunday. And there were others there taking pictures as well, so should have at least some, eventually.
Dogs were great crowd pleasers, anyway - had them staked out on a long line behind the van, and lots of spectators stopped by to pet them and ask questions. So from that point the weekend was a total success.
Most important thing? we all had good safe fun!!!
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mushing
Nov 8, 2009 21:45:07 GMT -5
Post by jespinoza on Nov 8, 2009 21:45:07 GMT -5
Congratulations!
John
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Post by thistlesdale on Nov 9, 2009 9:34:00 GMT -5
3rd place is fabulous! I have no idea who's dogs these are? stealing airedale photos is a hobby of mine Unfortunately that's the only modern airedale/sledding photo I know of, although I've seen a few old ones in books. I won't pretend my dale has the makings of a racing dog, but he is mighty strong, & he's happy to pull toboggan loads of firewood. I'll get some photos of that in a few weeks here. Meanwhile, don't be shy. Post some photos of your dogs!! I'm dying to see them.
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mushing
Nov 9, 2009 18:13:57 GMT -5
Post by hicntry on Nov 9, 2009 18:13:57 GMT -5
Congratulations Sally. You must be one happy camper. You know you can never go back now.LOL
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mushing
Nov 13, 2009 11:17:10 GMT -5
Post by thistlesdale on Nov 13, 2009 11:17:10 GMT -5
here's a photo of Sally & Team Airedale! please keep those photos coming, Sally This is an especially interesting topic because in addition to racing, recreational skijor & pulk are really gaining in popularity. The "large hunting type" airedale is a perfect dog for these roles. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skijoringen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulka
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mushing
Nov 13, 2009 21:53:10 GMT -5
Post by mushingdales on Nov 13, 2009 21:53:10 GMT -5
Thanks thistlesdale - for posting the photo AND the links for skijoring and pulka. In the off season there is always scootering, bikejoring and canicross.
Depends on how large the hunting type is - 40-50 pounds is probably ideal, but could go down to 30 or up to 60. Much beyond that, and you are going to lose speed, hence the joke in the mushing community about "slo"berians. Really any dog can be trained for the activity - even a pack of beagles! just the effectiveness in compromised by to little or too much size.
Just with human activity - check with the Dr./vet before beginning serious activity. Better to be at ideal weight or slightly under, rather than a heavy couch potato.
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mushing
Nov 16, 2009 9:08:13 GMT -5
Post by hicntry on Nov 16, 2009 9:08:13 GMT -5
Dang Sally, that is a passel of Airedales to control there. I would have to use an all girl team....well with one male to be the team leader of course. ;D Seriously, looking good Sally.
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mushing
Nov 18, 2009 22:23:41 GMT -5
Post by mushingdales on Nov 18, 2009 22:23:41 GMT -5
Hi Don - I had always had 'girls' till I got the father of this litter, and initially would probably have agreed with you. However, there are some who think an all neutered male team is the best, most focused. So that is the general direction I went in keeping the pups I did. 4 of those 6 are brothers - two altered, two not, and the other two are the parents, neither of which is altered. Deliberate experiment for myself, wanting to see the comparison in work ethic. The unaltered boys seem to have more overall energy than the altered ones; or - the altered ones are more settled. However, I have two screaming harness bangers: one is altered, the other is not. " Mom" would love to sniff every bade of grass, but knows when she is in harness she can't do that. "dad" is just a goofball who just has to poop in the first quarter mile, no matter when he last did so!
Amyway, what I am working on for this season is the two biggest boys (one altered, one not) as wheel dogs (just in front of the sled where more power is needed) and the two harness-bangers/fastest ones at least in the middle, or up front in a 4 dog team. If I use the parents again, they will likely be in front because of their experience, though the pups are all faster!
Will just have to see as the season progresses......
Anyway, the "pups" are just over 2, so long ways to go till they are really developed. Should be fun to watch.
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wayne
Junior Hunter/worker
Posts: 34
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mushing
Jan 4, 2010 13:04:40 GMT -5
Post by wayne on Jan 4, 2010 13:04:40 GMT -5
Sally, I have stated my 8 month old female pulling light plastic toboggan. First on a long lead with me pulling the toboggan. (to get her used to the noise) Then later with her connected up to the toboggan thru my hand with successively shorter leads until the lead would go from here collar thru my hand to the toboggan. I put a real dog harness on her, got her used to the feel of that, then added a piece of firewood to the toboggan. I got her to pull this directly harnessed with me walking beside her, with a lead on her collar. We've graduated to pulling a chainsaw, gas oil , clothes etc on the way there and the same plus a small load of kindling on the way back . The distance is approx 2 city blocks, snow covered flat country road. I am starting to work on commands, when she is pulling straight and hard, I tell her to mush. Do you have any other suggestions? I realize that she is still a puppy and is not fully grown. I figured that since she is pulling at her collar when on the leash I might as well have her pull something. She looks as though she loves it as she doesn't kick up a fuss when I'm ineptly puttig on her harness. I don't have her do this daily, just a couple of times a week. Eventual goal is skijoring. Wayne
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mushing
Sept 5, 2018 13:10:25 GMT -5
Post by frida123 on Sept 5, 2018 13:10:25 GMT -5
Hello! I am new here! I want to communicate here
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uhuh
Show Pup
Posts: 2
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mushing
Oct 30, 2019 14:53:49 GMT -5
Post by uhuh on Oct 30, 2019 14:53:49 GMT -5
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