With my big spring races behind me, this is the perfect time to teach Scooby how to run with me. Unlike Tiger Lilly, he is willing to run, but he needs to learn good running manners, like staying to one side and not dragging me along chasing squirrels.
A squirrel! A squirrel! I see a squirrel!
Chasing Squirrels With Scooby
Monday morning I took him on my 4 mile neighborhood loop, but we walked the first 1/4 mile. He did great and the light drizzle meant fewer squirrels to distract him.
Monday afternoon we took him on an easy hike so my husband could test out his new hiking poles and Scooby could work on his dog-greeting manners. Scooby is friendly with other dogs, but he gets really excited and sometimes raises a ruckus until he can actually greet them.
We encountered lots of dogs on this hike–
some greetings were more decorous than others!
Tuesday morning we were both worn out, so I just took him on a walk and did my strength workout at home.
He likes to stretch out and twist himself around.
Wednesday I went to indoor cycling class, so no running for Scooby. He did get three walks, though.
Thursday I took him on a shorter loop around my neighborhood. Towards the end of our run we encountered one un-leashed (but accompanined) dog. I was relieved that greeting went really well.
Maybe Scooby was too tired to raise a ruckus.
Friday I went to Orange Theory, so Scooby had a day off again.
Saturday we ran my full neighborhood loop, and the squirrels were out in full force. Scooby seems to run faster in full daylight as it is, but when he saw a squirrel I had to sprint to keep up. We definitely need to work on that!
Since the rain predicted for the weekend was holding off, we also went for a long bike ride. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to fit another long ride in before Farm To Fork Fondo–Pennsylvania Dutch at the end of June, but I think we’re ready!
Can you tell my husband has on Maryland lag socks too?
On Sunday I got up early enough to take Scooby out for a walk before the rain turned torrential. I also let him run around the yard to burn off a bit more energy chasing squirrels!
https://youtu.be/bKaHadeo454
After church I went to Hot Power Fusion at Core Power Yoga for the first time in ages. I forgot how ridiculously sweaty I get in that class, but it felt so good!
Coming up this week I have a business trip to Boston and the Lawyers Have Heart 5K on Saturday–thanks to everyone who has supported my American Heart Association fundraising efforts! So, there will be running, but not much running with Scooby.
I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap
Any tips for desensitizing a dog to squirrels?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Sounds like he has a lot of energy! Wish I knew what dogs saw in squirrels. I don’t really have squirrels in my area, mostly rabbits and prairie dogs.
Oh we have a chipmunk out back that torments him too …
I have no advice. Cocoa chases squirrels, rabbits, heck, if she could she’d chase cars! Sigh…..
At least Scooby doesn’t mind cars. Tiger Lilly used to lunge after big trucks or school buses. 😯
Max has really mellowed (regarding squirrels) in the three years we’ve had him. He’ll stop and glance at them, but seldom darts after them anymore. No complaints!
I’m sure maturity and novelty have something to do with it. 3 years is a long time to chase squirrels though. 😉
I wish I knew what to tell you. Ozzy chases everything too. When he tires out a little, he may settle in and run a little better. I love how twisty Scooby is!
He has such a personality. He can be so mellow or so silly!
Oh squirrels. I was walking my friend’s dog a few times earlier this year as she was recuperating from knee surgery, holy squirrel ruckus. Love his sprawled photo & your caption. How long until Scooby writes his first blog ?
LOL, at least the squirrel thing is universal?
Sounds like you both had a great week of workouts:) Hopefully Scooby will stop worrying so much about the squirrels once he gets a little more used to them! I was also glad the rain held off on Saturday morning.
Yes, maybe that will happen. Or the squirrels will stay in their nests when it gets hotter!
Haha! Scooby is just the cutest! Love the photo of him watching you workout – he looks pooped!
He does sack out after a run!
Scooby certainly has a lot of energy! I almost feel like dogs and squirrels must have been best friends in another life. Every dog I know loves to chase after squirrels, lol
Friends or frenemies? It’s crazy how he can spot one across the road and go crazy!
Bandit is surprisingly pretty good on leash. Out in the backyard, though, once he sees an animal, he wants to go out like every 5 seconds to look for it. It gets rather annoying. No advice — Bandit is unlike to drag me anywhere (part of why we like little dogs).
Sounds like a really solid week! Safe travels.
It’s so hard right now. We’re trying to figure out house-training, but now when he’s looking out the back door it’s hard to tell – does he need to go out or just want to chase a squirrel?
Scooby runs faster than I do! 🙂 Looks like you 2 are having fun together. Nice job on the long bike ride too
Oh, when I’m running, he’s basically walking fast. The bike ride was a last-minute thing.
Scooby is so cute – I’m enjoying your adventures together!
The bike race is getting really close – you guys are going to do great, can’t wait to hear all about it!
I’m really excited about it – it starts at a new venue this year so the course will be a bit different. You all should be doing Hudson Valley this weekend. 😉
Sounds like he is getting the swing of things and enjoying himself very well. My dog is not distracted by anything any more during her walks, maybe it is due to her old age.
Yeah, I’m sure he’ll settle down when he gets a bit older.
Sounds like the training is going pretty well 🙂 He’s adorable!
Thanks. I think he’ll be a good learner if we are consistent with our training.
He’s going to be a great runner. I can tell :). I haven’t run with my dog in a while because it’s been much to warm for him. #Texas
Yeah, our weather is spoty but so far it’s not too warm at sunrise.
What a week!
The pugs don’t give a hoot about squirrels or anything else that might come across their line of vision. They care about bacon and popcorn, but that’s about it LOL.
I think maybe the more you run with Scooby, the more he’ll get used to the squirrels and won’t go so crazy. Sometimes, familiarity breeds contentment. Otherwise, you can just call it speed work 🙂
Hah, #truth and true!
I always wanted a dog to run with me, but I had lazy goldens who would just lay down on the sidewalk about 100 feet into the run. Le sigh. I hope you have better luck!
That’s what Tiger Lilly did. After about 1/3 mile she just STOPPED. Argh!
I’m a cat person myself, so I don’t understand dogs much. Then again I don’t understand cats either when they suddenly have a burst of energy and start running all over the place! I can say that I think Scooby is great 🙂 and that it’s great that you get him used to running and hiking and good manners on the paths. There is nothing worse than an owner who lets their dog off the leash and then pays no attention to what the dog is doing. Scooby is in great hands!!
Still getting other activities in too – how many miles was the fondo again? I’m sure you guys will be fine for it!!
How fun that you got to enjoy a very active week with Scooby! I’m sure that he enjoyed the quality time with you just as much as you enjoyed spending it with him.
Scooby training sounds like it is going well. I’m positive I couldn’t handle our newly adopted 75 pound dog on a run. 😉 My Mini got the hang of running pretty well. She knew I’d let her off leash at the park for a while so she could “herd” her squirrels and therefore was content not to give chase until then. Good luck with the 5k this weekend. Thanks for linking!