We started roading the hunting dogs this morning. We started with four dogs - we ended up with three dogs in the roading harnesses. The dogs that ran today were - Tech, Sallie, Star, and Jackson. Generally, there is a learning curve to roading new dogs - today really wasn't the exception - Star spun out of her harness and proceeded to run next to the quad. Jackson and Tech took to it great and were pulling hard - except when making a turn and Tech wasn't quite sure what to make of that. Sallie acted like an old pro. We also had some pups with us. Doc Neeley decided he liked messing with the pups at the kennel more and decided to stay behind. We still had a great little entourage however. Loki (Polly/Tanner) Diana (Knikki/Mali) led the pack over the 6 mile course, with Diana at times leading the whole entourage and staying right with me. Tymora (Knikki/Mali) pointed some kildeer's and Mystra (Knikki/Mali) brought up the rear barking.
Tech and Jackson are powerful males and along with Sallie - had me going down the road in neutral at 4-6 miles per hour over the course of a couple miles. I put the quad in 2nd gear to increase resistance with very little throttle and Jackson and Tech were still pulling hard for the next couple of miles. About mile 4 we started to get a bit of rain and it continued as we finished our run at camp - all told we roaded the dogs for 6 miles over about 1 hr time.
Keith: This is great, to read about our dogs. We didn't realize how empty the house would be with both of them gone. We are hanging on every word. Thanks for this. I hope Star learns to road and Jake does well, too.
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