Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Woofs & Whinnies Workshop

What a neat morning! It started with a quick trail hike in the Marin Municipal Watershed District. Had my Gentle Leader on but not attached, as it takes my energy level down a notch, and we had just passed by horse stables. At the trail signs we opted for the uphill, as we were to be exercised, before the Marin Humane Society Woofs & Whinnies class.
A beautiful morning. Sun filtering through a thick canopy of branches and leaves. Our hike was just behind the class meeting point, at the Marin Stables. Once our Woofs & Whinnies class started, we took another walk along these peaceful trails.
This class was to have us furries, become used to being around or passing horses and having our hoomans understand more about these beautiful animals as well. The photo below is mid-class...after meeting some new pals, and learning a lot about horses. I am watching Dixie, and so curious...is she a big doggie? I was confused at first. It was recomended to wear our Gentle Leaders, just in case some of us had some natural instincts kick in. Not all the participants had them on. As you can see, mom couldn't find one that matched my furs! I'm ok with this blue one.
During our log circle, I met some new pals. His dad was matching with the Whitefish, Montana Bulldog Saloon shirt!
We listened to some very important facts about horses.
Learning about their vision points and moving objects...
Many of our local trails allow us furries, as well as horses, so we were glad to participate in this class! We sat next to Sydney. Mom was holding out some squishy cheese, and had Sydney's attention!
On our other side was Autumn. She and I have been in a number of the Humane Society Classes together. Always nice to see familiar faces. She was keen on eyeballing squirrels in the trees above.
And then......Dixie came out!! Wow! Didn't know what to expect. That's Dixie passing calmly behind our seated group. Trish King is in the middle there. She's the director of behavior and training at the MHS, and coordinated our class for today.
While Dixie did laps around our group, we were to keep attention on our hoomans... There were some furries that let out barks and that made me nervous. My ears were back during this part, but mom worked on luring me to her attention with a stash of hot dogs and cheese...
Us woofies took our turn walking around Dixie.
I was doing pretty good at that point. Snacking on mom's nummy treats, checking things out, taking it all in.
We had a chance to walk around and follow pretty Dixie.
And, then there were TWO! Youza! Yet, by this time, many of us were feeling more comfortable and were quietly observing.
Class went by so quickly, and I did great! We love these classes and hope to take more. Guess what I did upon returning home!!!??? :) You know. Happy mid-week pals!

26 comments:

  1. What a good pup you are, Sierra! I'm going to have to see if our Humane Society offers any classes!

    Sam

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  2. How khool!

    Those horsepuppies look like lots of fun!

    I wonder what I would do? I love to stare at the steers akhross from the park!

    Woo look so beaWOOtiful in your pool!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  3. Hi Sierra, that looked like our kind of walking country - we just love places like that with lots of cool sniffing places.
    We have these big doggies beside us in a place called a riding stables.
    We walk across the field and there they are - it took us a while to learn that you are not allowed to chase them.
    We are OK now and it is important for everydog to learn how to behave around them.
    One tip we would like to pass on is that their poo is quite delightful - especially when it is fresh and steaming.
    If you discover this ignore your human, she will be shrieking NO - get down and roll over - try to cover all of your lovely golden fur.
    You will look and smell a million dollars!
    love and kisses
    Martha and Bailey xxx
    ps we do love the last pic of you in your pool!

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  4. What an interesting class - and how wonderful that your Mom and you could go to it.

    That pool looks inviting - especially with the high temperatures we have been having.


    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

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  5. Woof! Woof! What neat class to attend. I wonder why do you have to wear that lead on your mouth (other dogs was not wearing it)? Mmmmm it reminds me of the place I was born which I plan to visit soon. cooling off in your doggie pool is a great FUN way to end your day. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  6. Sounds like a fantastic class! Horses can be a big distraction...it's great that your mom took you to learn about horses so you know how to act around them. Most puppies don't, but it sounds like you did really really well!

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  7. Wow, Sierra, you and your mom went on a beautiful trail. It looks so quiet and cool there. You did really good. Now are you learning to be with mom while she goes horseback riding or learning to be around the horses? It looks like lots of fun anyway! Of course, you deserve a dip in your pool. You are so pretty Sierra.

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  8. That's a beautiful trail for walking. What an interesting class you had and those horsies look so cool too.

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  9. Ahhh, nothing like a good soak to wrap up the day. :-)

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  10. What a neat class! We see horses when we go camping, but we stay as far away as possible so nobody gets spooked :)

    Kisses,
    Emma Rose

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  11. Sierra, that's such a pawsome class you pawticipated in! It looks like a really nice and beautiful place! Glad you went and had fun!

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  12. Great day....Great pictures....Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I have never seen a horse up close - just out in the field as we drive by them in the car. But the Tall Guy won't stop and let me say hello! :(

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  14. Sierra's baby pool is huge! I tried to get Cabana to lay down in her baby pool this morning, but no way--she didn't want her tummy in the cold water! Looks like Sierra did a great job around the horses. Love that bulldog! We have two bulldogs in our FDI class--they're a sight to behold!

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  15. I love this!! I really think it's great that you're able to have a class like this to attend, enjoy and learn something too!! Wow!!

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  16. How fun to get up close and personal with those supersized pups! We don't understand what the purpose of the Gentle Leader was if they aren't attached - Ciara has to wear one when we walk and she does NOT like it. It also stains her face and the Mom doesn't like THAT.

    Bet you enjoyed your dip in the pool.

    Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  17. Wow, that was a very cool class...
    thanks for sharing!
    Licks and sniffs,
    Zack, Sassy and Buddy

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  18. Beautiful pix, Sierra! We are impressed with what a good girl you are!
    I met a Bulldog named Daisy once. Sigh. She was soooo pretty! We got to do sniffies, then we each had vet appointments we needed to get to. I hope I run into her again!
    Play bows,
    Zim

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  19. What a day, Sierra Rose!
    And a well deserved dip in the pool to end it!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  20. What a great class you had, Sierra! Those big doggies look so nice! You look beautiful in your pool!

    Thor

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  21. What a great idea for a class- it'll help the dogs to be polite to horses on the trails. We have to teach each of our puppies about horses when they're young but we've never found a class to do it. We have very nice neighbors who work with us so that our dogs learn to be calm and sit still when horses pass on the trail.

    Sierra, you rock, girl! Great job for your first horse meeting!

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  22. That class is a GREAT idea! Sounds like you did well too. :)

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  23. Great job, Sierra - at such a furry cool place! Love the stables (Mama has some pals there, including Trish and I think that was Jim teaching!) Great place for the Humane Society to hook up with, as the woods right there are neat to walk in! Oh you did so great and am so glad you got to go! (I love horsie poop the best heheh! Did you try some?) Dixie was furry pretty! And you look like you got a great soak after!
    Big Hugs xoxoxoo
    Sammie

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  24. Ha ha.... love it !
    I want to know where that guy got his hat ?
    Horses and dogs. Great idea and the cheese has inspired Mew to look up and take notice.
    WELL DONE X X X X X X X X X X

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  25. That looks like so much fun.. You did great. The trails are so beautiful...

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

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  26. What an excellent class. We share many trails with our "big dog" friends and our hu-dad insists that we are very polite as we pass (or, more likely, they pass). Particularly important around here because many of the human riders are tourists who really don't ride horses.

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