ANOTHER WEEKEND AND MORE FUN WITH WHITESPOT

I found a picture from a couple of weekends ago when Whitespot was on my friend's sailboat with me....

 

This past weekend was a good one.  I went to my friend’s house on Friday night to sit around a fire.  Whitespot ran around the back yard and peed on everything he could, at least 5 times each spot and then he laid down on the dog bed next to my chair.  He’s very well behaved and is quickly learning that food left at the edge of a table is a no-no.  He still has to be watched carefully.  I try not to take things out of reach, but prefer to teach him not to touch or grab food off tables our out of hands.   I love the way dogs will pass by and turn their heads in the direction of the food like it was an accident.  “OH…is that food there….I didn’t hardly notice”…yeah right!

On Saturday we went to the off leash dog park in Surrey.  It’s a large space with lots of bushes and it’s fully fenced and gated.  I walked Whitespot around the whole park and then let him off leash.  He ran to smell clumps of grass and some bushes and he came when I waved him over.   Of course I had to wait until he was looking but he came right away.   He did this twice.  On the third time he looked up, saw me wave him over and opted to turn back towards the bush and walk a bit further away.  I went and got him and back on the leash he went.  He needs to pay attention or off-leash is revoked : )  He went onto the 20 foot leash and still had fun roaming and sniffing.   He’s good with the other dogs, except when the other dog is one displaying poor manners and trying to mount and dominate.   Dog parks can be a lot of fun but can also be very frustrating sometimes.  Some owners are there but not present, not watching their dogs, not correcting bad behaviour and some are downright proud when their dogs dominate other dogs or start fights.  So important to check out all other dogs before entering the dog park and once there are too many there to cause trouble it’s time for me to leave.  I bite my tongue…and it’s not always easy.  I had to back one dog, who kept trying to mount Whitespot, away 3 times and the owner was oblivious.  Whitespot is no push-over and will defend himself.   I watched the same two dogs that Whitespot had troubles with go around the park and bully a puppy and try to mount 2 other dogs and almost start a dog fight.  So we went to our good old standby location in Richmond.  The soccer field for a good off leash run and then MacDonald Beach. 

Saturday was such a nice warm day out and when we got to the water Whitespot waded in and swam for a bit.  He doesn’t seem interested in fetching anything and needs no coaxing to get in the water.  I think he goes in to get cooled down. 

On Sunday we hung out with Paula and Silky.  First, a walk at Watershed Park.  It was my first time in there….WOW!  What a great place to go walking. You feel so far from the city with only a few steps into the woods.   We then went to the Waterworkz Paw Spa for their open house.  What a great set up and a very relaxing environment for the dogs.  http://www.waterworkzpawspa.com/   They had a barbeque going for their open house which was a bonus ….thanks for the hot dog guys! 

Silky graciously shares
'her' car with Whitespot

We then travelled out to Chilliwack for a home visit.  It amazes me when you can sit on your butt for most of the day driving around and still feel exhausted by the end of it.   Even Whitespot agrees with that…he slept most of the evening away on his bed.