And can arthritic dogs trail!?
Rosco, Aidran’s dog looking very proud at the end of her pet trail! Having successfully found her “missing” dog.
We pride ourselves on our sessions being inclusive, and as Rachel’s two dogs Rico and Maisy both have arthritis, she knows all too well how difficult it can be to find activities that are suitable for them. Pet trailing however, is one of those suitable dog sports! There are so many benefits to scent work and trailing in general that we could list, but we thought what would be even better would be if we let some of our clients tell you just what trailing has brought to their dog’s lives.
Starting with this post, brought to you by Adrian, who has enjoyed trailing with his dogs so much that he is actually now attending one of our instructor courses, so that he too can teach pet trailing to even more dogs and their humans in the future!
Here’s what Aidy had to say:
“Rosco has always been very active and we have been privileged to have done many activities with her from long walks in the hills, agility and hoopers.
As she got to around 12/13yrs old, she is a rescue so her age is a guess, we noticed the signs of old age struggling after being active, pain and stiffness.
In the end it all had to stop as we could see the discomfort and pain it was putting her through, although she would give it 110%.
Many, many tears were shed watching our once lively girl getting old and at times it did feel like the beginning of the end, like the last chapter of her life had been started.
Following a recommendation on a Facebook group we booked on a trailing session with Marilyn not really knowing anything about it.
The decision to do this was one of the best decisions we have made for Rosco in her entire life.
Yes Rosco has treatment for her arthritis, but we truly believe the joy and stimulation she gets from trailing is just as beneficial as her medical treatment.
I honestly cannot put into words the joy it brings to see her so happy again and full of life (I’m filling up thinking about it!).
The feeling of the last chapter has long gone, it’s now the start of a new chapter in Rosco’s life. So many more happy memories and times together have been created by trailing and I honestly cannot thank The Canine School of Trailing enough. One last point regarding Rosco and her arthritis, what I have learnt from trailing and I try to pass onto other people is, arthritis doesn’t mean the end it just means it’s an opportunity to change things and try something else.
Ares dreaming of another trailing session
Ares who is your typical goofy husky has also now done a few trail sessions.
We can walk Ares for miles and miles and I mean a good walk not just a plod, we can be out all day with him bring him home and looks at us as if he is asking ”is that it, what’s next!”.
However trailing absolutely wipes him out. He loves to do it and take part which is great but to have him tired like he is afterwards we have never seen before, and instantly from his very first trail he turns off the goofy husky setting and turns into a normal dog!
Ares getting rewarded on a man trail
For me unfortunately due to time and distance I haven’t had an opportunity to trail with Rachel (from Nose to Trail), but one day I will and look forward to it.
Marilyn (Companion’s Trail) is fantastic and is very welcoming and is always happy to answer my million questions about trailing and anything dog. One of the things I loved from day one was being called ‘Team Rosco’ I still love that, there’s nothing better than being feeling like a team with your dog and working together, something we never got from our previous activities.
Aidy’s three trailing teams! Team Rosco, Team Ares and Team Tadzi
I’ve met some really nice people with trailing, what I would call genuine ‘dog people’, most of whom are in the VIP membership. If you’ve trailed a few times, and not joined it then I really recommend you do!
If you would like to take Aidy’s word on joining the VIP membership, you will get first refusal on spaces for trailing sessions and pet trail camps as well as discounts! Head to Book Sessions & Shop (thecanineschooloftrailing.co.uk) to take a look.