First time around large groups of people

[Luvs]

The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous lately! My daughter and her friend decided ride the four-wheeler to the river today it was so nice out. I didn't want to be stuck home so I decided to load the puppies into the truck and meet the girls at the river. I was really kind of surprised at how many people were out there riding their four-wheelers and snowmachines (yes snowmachines lol, they are rigged for summer use). I expected four-wheelers but it was kind of interesting to watch the snowmachines.

The puppies were going crazy with all the different things going on. There were people all around us and Akasha and Keil were dying to go visit. As soon as someone would head in our direction their whole body would start wiggling. I was happy to see that even with the large groups of people they were still very excited to see them. I was so proud of them tonight! They were so good! I got several compliments on how friendly and well behaved they were!

The puppies got to play in the river which was a first for them. They didn't get to swim because it is still kind of cold for them to get that wet but they went in up to their bellies. They jumped right in the water and would have gone farther if I would have let them. As soon as it warms up a little more I will take them to a lake and let them really get out and swim.

The only problem I had tonight was with Akasha wanting to chase the snowmachines. She pretty much ignored the four-wheelers but the snowmachines were flying by us and they were going over jumps and stuff and she was dying to chase after them. I had a feeling she would react like that so I made sure and kept her on a long leash the whole time we were there. When she tried to chase them I corrected her and then quickly got her interested in something else.

One other thing we tried tonight was I rode the four wheeler and Akasha ran along beside me. I kept it in first gear most of the time and she trotted alongside of me playing with her leash. Not one time did she try to leave my side. I wanted to try this because we are hoping to take them with us when we go riding on the horses sometime this summer. I figured that getting them used to staying alongside the four-wheeler would be easier than the horses who sometimes (especially now) get a little rambunctious. One they get used to staying next to the four-wheeler I will try going for a walk with the horses (after they have been ridden and are worn out lol). :D
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to teach them to stay next to the horses?

[Carina43]

We have a four-wheeler, and take a couple of the dogs out on long leashes with it, they really enjoy it! We've done it enough that they're really good about staying alongside, and we can go quite fast. :D

I don't know about horses...I imagine you'd have to a: make sure they're a bit calmer around distractions; b: start slow with a long line, and c: a calm horse probably helps! :)

On a trail I used to hike in Colorado, I'd often meet a couple who had two very well behaved Rottweilers who ran with them on horseback. It looked like a lot of fun...I'm jealous.

[Luvs]

For the past 7 years I have really missed having a large dog to go with me when I ride my horses. When I got Akasha I was so excited because I just knew that someday I would be able to take her with us. I know this sounds stupid but it has been a dream of mine to be able to take one of my rotties riding with me.

Today for the first time I was able to take Akasha for a short ride with me. I was soooooo happy! We rode around the yard first and she happily followed Zaafinah and I. We went a little ways down the road and back and she stayed right with us. I waited until after I had already gone on a nice long trail ride before I tried it so that Zaafinah was not so full of energy. I was really impressed with how well they both did. Several times Akasha got a little excited and started barking at Zaafinah but she stopped when I told her to and it didn't bother Zaafinah.

Today was just a small step but I really think that someday I will be able to go on nice long rides with *my girls*:D