Hooligans

Just goofing off around the house when the weather was bad back in February.

More goofing off at the training building.

Sandyhounds - Riley

Riley looks sweet and innocent, but she is not. Around New Years, she clocked me in the face and gave me a huge black eye.

Pretty huh?

We were at our little beach spot and Riley went nuts digging in the sand while I was leaning over her and BAAM!  It took over 3 weeks to disappear. So I'm a little head shy now, but here is a video of how silly Riley can be in the sand............. and pretty ferocious sounding too:

Sandyhounds - Maddie

When we are not away at trials, we try to get a good hike in with friends on the weekends. One of our favorite hiking loops has a little beach area that drops down off the trail. Riley and Maddie love the sand and go nuts!

Here is Maddie's video:

Snowmaggedon - Riley and Maddie

Okay, last snow post.... unless, of course, we get more snow! I let Riley and Maddie have a play session.

Hooligans

Maddie and Seven are such hooligans!  I love that they play together, but I do wish they would tone it down a little. Especially Seven. She gets so intense and I don't like when she runs Maddie into the ground. But Maddie asks for it and then asks for seconds. So here is the one time I let Maddie and Seven play outdoors for five minutes naked and native.... otherwise they do wear kennel muzzles when they are in the backyard.

It all starts when Mad Panther selects and stalks her prey.

When the prey notices the ambush, she reacts!

They posture and size each other up.

The panther attempts an early take down by taking a leg.

But the prey says "No!" and gets away.

The teeth and ugly faces come out.

And then the all out brawl begins.

Until Mom says "Enough!" Then they hug and make up.

Dance a little.

Sing and laugh a lot.

Okay, back to playing in muzzles so no one gets hurt.

Girls Gone Wild

On one of our favorite hikes that we try to do once or twice a week, there is a little beach spot on the lake. Especially in the hot summer, the beach spot is about 2.5 miles into a nice long loop and gives the girls a chance to cool off.  Maddie especially enjoys it, but she even got Riley and Seven to be a bit silly also.

Rowdy Girls

I sometimes get asked why I still use muzzles outside in the yard.  Here are some video clips to show you the reason.  Reagan, Riley, and Seven get along very well and a fight rarely breaks out in the yard, but they do play rough and it includes a lot of growling, posturing, and confident body language.  I would much rather have them wear muzzles than to referee what is going on even though I do supervise 99% of the time.

The interesting thing is to watch for all of the "dominant" body language especially from Seven.  She places her head and paws on the back of Riley frequently.  Tails are high.  Seven and Riley will often freeze before they explode.  But it is all in play.

If you have a hard time reading body language, look for it in these clips.  I would never allow my girls to greet a dog (especially on leash) with a stiff tail held high or vice versus.  Also, you will often see a moment when the dogs freeze before a fight breaks out.  You want to avoid those and interrupt if it does happen.

And this would be why I am waiting for Maddie to be full grown and coordinated before tangling with these girls off leash.

The Cougar

Is it safe?

Does it play?

Does it do anything?

I am not getting near it.

I will check it out.

It is safe!

Okay. If you say so.