In my initial dog training post, I mentioned that Ama, my little Finnish Spitz, had successfully gained her Rally Novice obedience title. At this level, all the exercises are done on-lead. The next level for us, Rally Advanced (RA), is going to be more challenging because the course is conducted off-lead. I think we can do it. I’ve learnt to never underestimate the happy wanderer! But….. at our latest training session, things didn’t go entirely to plan (ie. there was no plan).
Originally posted Nov 23, 2017. Updated Jan 20, 2022.
I’ve been training my two primitive dogs (a Finnish Spitz and a Finnish Lapphund) for a couple of years now. We have had many successes and failures. We’ve had frustration and tears of joy. Just this past week, my little Finkie (short for Finnish Spitz), Ama, achieved her first obedience title (Rally Novice). [Update: this is ancient history now. We are no longer attending classes or participating in dog sports.] Read more
Whoever said dogs give unconditional love, never had a Finnish Lapponian Dog (Finnish Lapphund as we know them in the English-speaking world) or a Finnish Spitz. Anyway, here is my cartoon celebrating unconditional love between (wo)man and dog. The drawing needs work, but you’ll get the general idea. Life is never boring with this pair.
Reflections of An Untidy Mind 