Our dog knows more about dog walking than we do!

With the great snowstorms that hit Colorado beginning in December, our walks with our dog have been somewhat curtailed. We still walk the half mile down to mail box if the wind is blowing less than 30 miles an hour and the temperature is over 10 degrees, but the knee and thigh high snow drifts makes walking through the fields close to impossible.

So, we started walking out the driveway and on the road. At first Duncan thought this meant he could just run out the gate and find the rabbit sign everywhere. We reminded him that he had to wait, first at the gate, then after we walked onto the dirt road and were assured there were no vehicles on the road. To wait at the open gate took two reminders. To wait to be released took three times reminding him to "heel."

We might as well have tatooed that on his brain because one day we walked out and forgot to release him. He stayed by our sides for almost a thousand feet before we remembered to say, "Go!" We wondered why he didn't chase the rabbits that were scurrying for cover...

We feel blessed that this puppy that lost his home and that we found in the animal shelter has developed into such a good dog. But I know that all dogs can be just as good as him, if only their humans take the time it takes to learn how to communicate and understand that dogs are not people.

I'm sure that if Duncan was locked up all day without the exercise and discipline that his daily walks provide he would be destructive and neurotic.

So, what are you waiting for! Walk your dog.