Little Hiker

[Amanda]

Jovie is becoming a wonderful hiking companion. She checks in regularly when we are in areas she can be off leash. She walks politely on leash when it is required or needed. I worried getting a Border Terrier that off leash hikes wouldn’t be possible, but so far she is doing so great. And she just charges through the water like it’s no big deal. She is afraid of heights it seems, but that is getting better as she learns to trust her own feet. Happy little hiker!

[connie]

She is such a cutie!

I love my rescue dogs and have no craving for a puppy (now), but I do see -- and I remember -- how nice it is to be able to train things at a very young age that then create good habits forever. One of my agility instructors is keeping a BC bitch from her latest litter, and this little girl, at 12 weeks, is already learning nosework by searching for her meals, and has been taught to not pull on a leash. OMG what I would give to have my BC not pull on a leash! It is the one thing about him that I just despair of: sure, I can get him to walk on command without pulling, but as a default behavior, he is FULL SPEED AHEAD WITH ALL POSSIBLE ENERGY! The Weiss Walkie helps but he is a puller and will always be a puller. If I'd had him at 8 weeks ...? I wouldn't be so and he wouldn't be so GOTTA GET THERE ASAP fired up.

Being able to hike with off-leash dogs is wonderful. As bad as Row is on leash, he is an angel off-leash, so I can hike with only Dee the Mighty Hunter leashed, on a long line. Yay for Jovie building good habits that will make everyone's life better!

[emmas_mom]

It makes me happy that you and Jovie found each other, and that she has fitted in so well. I remember what a great hiking buddy my Eddie was and how much joy he got out of our hikes. Maggie is shaping up to be a good hiking buddy too, but I doubt I will ever let her off leash on hikes as she is very fearful and will bolt at the unexpected. Her recall in our fenced yard and on a long line is pretty darn good, but yesterday a trail bike came up behind us in the forest and even though the driver was wonderful - stopping it well back at us and walking it past us - it did backfire once as he turned if off and Mags totally freaked, trying to bolt, whale eyes, shaking. Thankfully I was able to bring in the leash quickly and she stood shaking between my knees.

[JudyL]

Jovie sounds like a wonderful dog, Amanda, and I'm happy for you that she's fit in to your family so well.

[SherriA]

I really love your pics of her hiking with your family!

[Amanda]

Thanks! She really fits in well here.

[Jen]

That sounds heavenly - to go hiking with a dog that checks in and can be trusted off leash.

[catherinec]

Ditto that, Jen! :-) She's so cute, she looks like she's done with taking photos, though, and wants to get back to hiking :-)

[Kathleen]

I love Jovie.