Running Again...

Managed to get the dogs out again this morning but the heat was coming on quickly so only one team got to go. That worked out well since on our last trip only the other team got to go for the same reason. I guess that makes everyone kind of even though at only three miles its not that much of a stretch for anyone to miss a trip or two.

I neglected the camera again but I wanted to get some thoughts down while they were still fresh...

Seems that this season I am doing an A and B team but they aren't stacking up evenly. I'm not quite sure what the advantage of this will be in the long run but with this pairing I am able to work the heavier guys in one team and the lighter weights in another. The heavy guys go out pulling the four wheeler about half of the trip (soon they will be pulling it for the full run) while the light weight team has engine assistance the entire run. Here is the line up:

Team A -
Thani (in lead)
Juno (in lead)
Gaea
Boreas
Hera
Remus

Team B -
Hermes (in lead)
Ichabod (in lead)
Eli (in lead)
Maude - shelter foster (in lead)
Calypso
Griffin (free running)

Thani has shown some nice lead potential and I am focusing on developing that while we are controlled on the four wheeler. Hermes and Ichabod are focusing on their leading skills as well but Eli and Maude both love it up in lead so much that I try to do a lot of switching around so they can also develop.

Hera was doing okay in the B team but really excelled once I put her back in the A team with the big boys. Running next to Remus is her favorite place to be and those two mostly occupy wheel and do a very nice job there.

Calypso also has lead potential but Ive opted to run her further back for now. I may give her time to develop later on but Ive got so many dogs who need a turn that its easy to let her wait.

Gaea also has very nice lead potential but shes been crabby up front with Juno so Ive demoted her to swing for now. She may keep that position all winter to help get her head straight. She knows exactly what she needs to do but her patience is the only lacking thing.

The fosters are coming along well but Olive had a slight seizure the last time we ran her so she is taking some time off. Maude is doing really great with the team no matter how fast or how long we go but our newest foster Minnie has already been taken out of the team. She had her spay on Friday and x-rays showed that she has an onset of arthritis coming in her hips. Its not critical yet but she will be put on a supplement and offered a lot of rest. She could probably do some miles but she is headed into retirement pretty quick. We are hoping to find her a nice pet home.

Griffin will also be on supplements soon for the same issues. Hes been trucking along with us really well and keeps up nicely. I am still hoping he can loose run with us for another season and with supplementation for his joints that he will be doing much better. He is moving about nicely but groans when he gets up after sitting for too long.

I'm really liking the advantage of working the dogs and doing this specialized training down our quiet but very distractable side streets. The dogs are shaping up really well and learning a lot. Its been so long since Ive run six dog teams and I can see the incredible advantage of doing so. I'm sure we will see much more refinement when we get to go back to our 11 and 12 dog string.

Once on our regular trails my plan is to focus heavily on Juno and Thani up in lead. Hermes and Ichabod had a lot of time up there last season and it will be a nice excuse to focus on training up another of the 'pups'. I know Hermes wont forget any of what hes learned and it will be great to have him as a back up. It will also be nice to get Ichabod further back in the team to give him a bit of a break. Hes getting on in years but sure doesn't show it! He is a very solid dog and its always a pleasure to count on him in lead or anywhere else in the team.

I'm already very excited about this coming season!