Simon Gets To Run Off Leash

Being off leash, and being safe and in control,  while I walk with the dogs is an important thing for me to be able to do.  I don't walk with the dogs off leash unless it is in a totally safe environment, meaning no cars, or roads nearby.  Which for an Italian Greyhound nearby, can mean a distance of hundreds of yards. 

For Simon to be allowed off leash in an unconfined area, he has to have a reliable recall, that works at great distances.  Al and Grace have been trained to come no matter what, immediately when called, and I trust, that if I call when they are off leash that they will turn and run back to me at full speed when they hear the word come.  It has taken lots of practice and continual reinforcement for this, but it has been worth it.  They get the benefit and fun and enjoyment of being able to explore their world without always being at the end of a leash, and I get to enjoy watching them as they, do.  Also, it makes walking, hiking, and short trail rides much more fun for me when I don't have to hang onto a leash, or two or now three!!!

We have a game, called the "Come Game", that we play and Simon has learned it from Al and Grace.  Heather and I get as far away from each other as we can and call the dogs between us, and there are good treats and lots of positive rewards when they come fast, hard, and immediately.  Simon now loves to play this game, and it allowed him some experiences off leash that were incredible to watch. 

The first time Simon was off leash with permission; as we have had a couple of escapes in the neighborhood when once he dashed up the sidewalk by pushing by me at the house door, and another escape as we were getting out of the van.  Both were only a few seconds long, but he came back to me immediately when I called him.  It also helped that I ran as hard as I could the opposite direction he was traveling, as I called him to come.

THE FIRST TIME

We were at my friend Karla Kimmey's house at Sequim, Washington, and she has a 20 acre property which has one field of about maybe 10 acres that is fenced and secure.  I let Simon off leash in the evening the first time and he had his first chance to run like an Italian Greyhound should.  He was amazing to watch, and Jef Blake and Karla, and Heather and I watched him run at full speed between stops for perhaps 15 minutes.  It was really emotional for me to watch him run.  He loves to run as hard as he can! 

I had some video of this evening run, but it didn't turn out too well.  The next day we did the same thing, with just Heather and I and the dogs.  Follow this link to see about a 5 minute clip of Simon and Al and Grace running around Karla's field. 

On The Beach

In late April we had some very low tides in Seattle, and will continue to have them from time to time through to the end of August.  One of the favorite things to do around here when the tides are low is to go out and run on the beach.  Simon's second time Off Leash was on one of these low tide days, and for almost a week we went to the beach every day and the dogs had a  ton of fun running.  A few times Simon chased crows or other birds so far that there was no way he could hear me.   A few times this was at a distance of probably 1/3 of a mile, maybe further!!  When the chase was over, and he either heard his name or saw me waving my arms so as to get his attention he would run as hard as he could the whole way back in as straight a line as was possible.

These few adventures on the beach told me a lot about Simon.  He does things with total abandon.  He runs at 110% just because he can and it is fun.  He is incredibly fast.  He has very nice manners.  He checks in with me even when having the time of his life.   As this week went on he ran closer to me and was checking in frequently while he ran to make sure that he knew where I was, and to see if I wanted him. 

The first time he chased a bird, I didn't have the camera going as I was alone.  Simon went after a Seagull and it flew away from him and out over the water.  Simon chased it into Puget Sound which has a temperature of 54 degrees F.  He was running so fast when he hit the water, he was able to continue to run out into the Sound, and eventually was diving into the water over his head, hitting the bottom and then springing up out of the water as far as he could and jumping up and forward so he could continue the chase.  When this stopped he was probably 25 feet off the beach in very cold water that was over his head!!  He started to float.  Looked out at the bird which had landed on the outside sandbar, and then turned his head to me.  His eyes were like sauces.  He didn't know how to swim, and the current from the tide was pushing him along the shore ( very slowly).  He was floating with his chest, but I think his hind legs could touch the bottom, but just by the very tips of his hind feet.  He didn't know how to move and finally was able to anchor himself by a toenail.  Then we looked at each other for probably 20 seconds.  I called him once or twice, but he didn't know how to swim so he couldn't come.  I was about to wade out in my shoes and clothes to get him, and then he began to swim towards me.  After about 5 feet of very inefficient paddling, and splashing, he managed to get into shallow enough water so that his feet touched and he waded back to shore.  When he got to me he just shook a couple of times, looked for his next victim, and ran off to the next chase.  No worries!!!

Here is another picture of him running through water that never was deeper than his belly!!  You can get the idea of how hard he plays.  Simon is in the all the spray as he runs from right to left after another bird.  Al and Grace watch in amazement!!

I'm sorry about the video quality of the video clip of Simon Running at the Beach, but  I decided to not edit out the portions of his running that are out of focus because you can still make out what is going on.  He is amazing to watch run!

If you want to see still photos from the video, please follow this link to a Sequence of Photos from the Beach.  People without a High Speed Connection should still be able to see the still photos of Simon playing and chasing birds, and running with Grace and Al.

Fine Dining

Later in the week Simon decided that Dungeness Crab weren't just for people, and tried to eat every one that was left on the beach at low tide.  Click here if you want to see Simon playing on the beach, dig up a crab, and proceed to eat it.