Run with sound chien?
To try it is to adopt it! I know this is a cliché but it is TRUE.
1259 word read
OUT OF CONTEXT
I've always had cats. I have always loved cats. I still have them and will have them all my life. I had Popeye, Donald, Trotteuse, Yogi, Beelzebub and now Grenada. I knew early in my adult life that I was going to have a dog one day, as a father. I intended to live, with spouse and children, part of our lives accompanied by a dog. A bit like in the movies "happy endingWhich can be found in the "Movies for the family" section on Netflix. As if I were telling myself that something was missing in this family home. To the third child (surprise baby #wouf), we (my wife and I) decided to delay the arrival of a dog among us.
DAD IS RIGHT
Far be it from me to write a text like this "3 tips for having a united and happy family" but my priority was to solidify the family foundation (couple) to then solidify the walls (children) and then the roof (finance / stability). Here is my metaphor to explain to you that before the arrival of a dog, these steps should be respected to fully live the experience. If you don't like the image of the house, you can take that of "my" maslow pyramid, with its base that supports the rest! When my daughter was 13 and my 2 sons 11 and 9 it was the perfect “timing” for the surprise. (NEEDS / BALANCE / HAPPINESS)
STEP 4 (The tip of the standard family)
We had to choose a breed in line with everyone's tastes, interests, activities.
We noted a few points before choosing: Running, hiking, walking, canicross / Playing (with children). Adoption was plan A, in order to give a second life to the future family member.
Angie (the boxer) arrived in the family in September 2017. She was 8 weeks old.
I quickly understood those who told me: “a dog is like a child”.
Let's summarize in three words the first year of the pretty coffee-colored girl's boxer brief: PATIENCE, EDUCATION,…. HAPPINESS.
PATIENCE
Your dog asks for nothing more than to move, eat, sleep, have some attention and just be with you. He also likes to be alone on occasion. Boxers are particularly good players with children. He likes the hiding place, going around in circles, bringing back the ball, eating an armchair ...
Apart from the pleasure of eating the furniture, it is quite similar to the human, the pitou. Except him, the dog, he doesn't care if you're stressed, in a bad mood, anxious or sick. He will come to see you at the door with the same rigor and the same enthusiasm, every evening after work. He puts a smile on your face when you've lost him, and he forces you to play a bit when you don't feel like it at all. Obviously, for a runner, it's extremely motivating. With her beautiful face and her playful baboon, Angie often pulled me by force near the door to take out the harness.
HAPPINESS
Used to running very early on, Angie regularly did 5, 7 and 10 km on a leash, before 18 months. Sometimes she looks at me tilting her head slightly and whining for 2 seconds and that means "Come run, it will do you good". I know that my dog must go out at least 30 minutes a day, and why not regularly twice a day thanks to the long walks of stepmother. Angie is very active and very spoiled. Because of her or thanks to her, I go out at least 5 times a week. I go out without a goal, without waiting. I sometimes go out with the simple intention of getting some fresh air, running and / or walking, with my girlfriend and / or my children. In addition, the climbs are easier and the descents are simply dangerous crazy.
I simply replaced the training program with poop bags.
#poetry
EDUCATION
Yes, I educate my dog, I show him good manners and I teach him to recognize words or pieces of reference sentences like “stay”, “sit”, “lie down”, “give the paw”, “up” , "No", "here", "go", "do not eat the divan" etc ... But what I recently learned is the lessons she gives ME. I am learning to respect HIS rhythm. The animal cannot speak, it explains its fatigue or its illness in its own way. He stops. He does not insist on finishing. Pride does not exist with Angie. She stops running when she is tired or just in pain. She will make it clear to me if she prefers to walk or go soak her paws in the river. She lives by instincts through the guidelines established by me. Angie teaches me and makes me run in another way. More instinctively. Fusing (I know, it's not in the dictionary). To communicate without words.
For the past few weeks, she and I have been doing canicross together.
At almost 2 years old, my boxers can wear a canicross harness and make me experience a very different pace and literally fly, off the ground. I'm exaggerating. I calm down. You can easily double your speed, especially when your dog sees a rather reckless squirrel showing up in the course.
Canicross has been practiced in Europe, and more particularly in the Scandinavian countries, for about thirty years. It is still a relatively new discipline in Quebec, imported barely ten years ago. The ideal seasons for the practice of canicross are spring and autumn, especially because of the dog, which does not evacuate heat through sweat.
STATISTICS
Of the two canicross competitions listed in 2007 by the online site iskio.ca, we went to 16 competitions in 2014, an increase of 700%, then to 50 events in 2018 with more than 2000 participants in Quebec. In canicross, we mainly practice trail running.
EQUIPMENT
I advise you to shop for your equipment directly in a specialized store, with your dog. I am an online consumer but it is not optimal for this kind of purchase. I chose a store near my home and discussed the equipment with Tania, an employee who practices this sport herself. I don't have any special discounts as a customer, but I want to say hello Dynamix Pont-Rouge. Thank you for the quality of the service and the products offered. Angie was with me for the fitting. I opted for the brand Nahak Sports, a Quebec company.
You need 3 items:
1 - A harness for the dog, designed for traction, adjusted to its size;
2- A bungee rope, used to absorb shocks, both for you and for the beast. Find out about the differences before choosing (length of rope and elastic);
3 - An adjustable belt (2nd harness) for you. He leaves both hands free !!! There are double traction belts. There are several types of belts that make it less pull on the back.
You will also have to teach him another word: “bath”. Because after a canicross outing, your doggie will need it and he will love it! And you'll see …. To try it is to adopt it! I know this is a cliché but it is TRUE.
Super nice text - I really enjoyed reading it k- I particularly liked the lightness and humor, but also the tenderness towards Angie.
I practice canicross regularly with my German Shorthaired Pointer and I understand very well how our speed is increased tenfold with doggie, especially when a small animal is prowling nearby (even more with a Shorthaired Pointer which is very responsive to the slightest sparrow lying around ... .
Well done and thank you for this reading break!
Hello Sylvie!
You are good at running with a German Shorthaired Pointer!
We love our dogs, it's intense!
Have a good day!
Excellent text on the activity. Fair and complete.
Highlighting the nature of the activity and its obligations.
It is true that canicross is relatively new in Quebec but some coaches have been bringing it to adults and children for several years. This is the case of Geneviève Baril de Bromont who is a champion runner in Quebec, in Europe, organizer of canicross races and trainer since the beginning of this specialty. It is important to be on the right foot to play this very athletic sport.
Bravo!
Hello, I loved reading you because I too have been practicing canicross and other towed canine sports for almost 6 years. I have my beautiful Charlie, a 65 pound bullmastiff who loves these sports and who at events is even more competitive than me. I am also part of a group of dog sports towed on the North shore of Montreal, Canine Sports les Foulées du Nord. If ever there are any of your readers who would like to join us in our activities.
Hello France!
I came very close to having a bullmastiff !!!!! How fantastic it must be to run with this beautiful beast! Lucky !!!!
Hello Hugo! What a coincidence or coincidence! I have been running since 2004 on a carpet and since 2011 outside, I had my introductory Canicross course at the Maïkan in Trois-Rivières two weeks ago. I have an 8 month old brown Labrador that weighs 80 lbs. How strong is my Buddy! A little stressful at first, Buddy finding out about the unknown, but he was so happy! He slept the rest of the day! Me, I had the ankles a little sore ... Superb text as always. Well done Hugo!
Thank you Caroline,
Greetings to Buddy !!!!
For my part, a two-time marathoner, I integrated Hooké my griffin Korthal into my training. In the city; Quebec, on the Plains of Abraham. We've been running together since last fall, we've been running all winter. I plan to start mountain racing in the next few weeks, what fun with my big dog !! A great bond has developed between us. He will be two years old next June and has just passed 2 lbs. I would like to integrate a group of canicross but the races are often done in the evening and I am a morning runner!
I like the word “complicity” in your message, Suzanne!
Have a good mountain race, convinced that you will love it!
Hello Hugo,
Very nice text on the canicross!
I also practice it with my female French Spaniel, currently 10 years old, since her growth is over. It's my way of staying in shape but above all of having developed a unique bond with my canine partner who teams up with me! Also, dog harnessed sports allowed me to travel to several beautiful places across Quebec. Several harnessed sports clubs, whether or not affiliated with the Fédération Québécoise des Sports Canins Attelés (FQSCA), allow followers of these sports (canicross, bikejoring, scooter, skijoring and snow scooter) to participate in various events in the spring and the summer. fall and also during winter! It's also a great way to meet great people there and create new friendships. I am part of the club: Sports Canins Attelés Québec (SCAQ).
As you seem to be on the front line for Défis et Défis Entreprises, you might think of offering a canicross component according to some criteria to be respected (cool temperature and unpaved ground, ...) I am sure that this new choice of race would bring new registrations as well as new sports enthusiasts.
Hello Liliane,
You can imagine that I discussed it with the team!
To be continued ….
Thanks for these links!
Hugo
Wow! What a beautiful text. My name is Jules, I am a 7 year old Korthal griffin. In your text I recognized myself and I adored that someone talks about us dogs. I run regularly with my mistress and I am grateful to her because thanks to her I am in good shape but above all I have the privilege to move which is not given to all dogs. I also showed my mistress that the weather was not important and that sometimes I improvised in the race in order to calm her competitive side so I stopped defecating, she finally understood 😂🤣. I also play tricks on her to see if she is paying attention, I improvise an acceleration when I see a little beast, you should see it too funny 😂.
I hope that your text will inspire other owners to integrate their dog, they will be better off.
To yes anytime you want to write about us the canine breed and the benefits of integrating us into your activities, I would like.
Thank you for this beautiful text my mistress and I had a good laugh 🙏🏾
Beautiful and refreshing originality to write instead of barking!
Thanks Jules! (wouf wouf)
Hello,
I also do canicross with my beautiful Cécile. She is now 2 years old. She learned particularly with my Old Doris who is still able to do it at 12 years old (on the other hand less fast). I forgot to tell you that we can do canicross with any type of dog, especially since my two dogs are Fox Terriers. By the way, dogs are also like humans. It is enough to start and especially to do regular training with them so that they keep an excellent physical shape. There is probably also here where I live (Victoriaville), the only place in Quebec where a training center, in this case the Active Life which offers in its program of group lessons, canicross lessons. This course is offered in the same way as the courses of spinning, tabata, running etc ...
Congratulations on your dog purchase
Helene Jutras
Hello Helen,
I think you're right. All races adapt, it's like the rest. Just teach them. Either way ... All dogs love to run and need it! Good summer!