There were some instructions that came with the cart on adjusting it, and also some on how to get your dog used to using the wheels. They suggested that until it had got used to the wheels that you walked your dog on a lead, so I hunted out the 6 foot lead that we had used when she was a puppy.
The first wheeled walk was slow and full of adjustments and a very steep learning curve for us both. OK, mostly for me.
The second wheeled walk was even slower, and despite the rattling of a box full of yummy treats Holly refused to go at a pace above a plod, her ears were down, her head was down and her tail was tucked firmly between her legs. She was a perfect picture of misery. I started to wonder if I had done the right thing in getting her the wheels as she was obviously unhappy. But as we were out we would persevere with that walk and then I would have a serious think when we got home.
I never did have that think, about halfway round the park I worked out why she was miserable. I was following the instructions and walking her on a lead, she was not happy about being walked on a lead in a place that she usually is free to wander around and sniff what she wants when she wants. So I gave her a hug and a treat and unclipped her lead.
It was a magical transformation, her head came up, her ears came up, the tail wagged and she was off! She went up and down and round and round, slowly at first but quickly picking up speed as she got to grips with how the wheels handled.
We spent a week or so learning. We didn't go anywhere too adventurous but stuck with well trodden routes that we both knew and loved and took the opportunity to add some new phrases to the vocabulary. Things like "Step Out" for give the obstacle up ahead a wide-berth and "Line Up" on the approach to those metal contraptions put across paths to slow down bikers, pushchairs, wheel chairs and now Holly.
After that there was no stopping her, she was quite happy to walk anywhere and everywhere. I did find that after walking for 5 or 6 miles she did need a proper rest of about 30 minutes out of the wheels, but would then be ready for another 4 or 5 miles.
We walk regularly with a group of friends on a Saturday morning, they soon developed nervous twitches at the sound of a pair of wheels rattling towards them at high speed. It was a case of get out of the way or get run over. But they insist that she comes with us whenever possible and are more than happy to assist with lifting her over stlyes, freeing her from the tangle of brambles, ivy and other creeping plant-life after she has been through the woods and setting her back upright when she takes a corner too fast or hits a rock at the wrong angle and tips over.
One of our first walks was in the woods at Newmillar Dam, Holly thoroughly enjoyed herself.
Mud wasn't a problem
She didn't always stick to the path either!
On a later walk to the Sculpture Park she showed me that she was using her brain, the path went through a wall, she looked at and through the gap and then walked up a bit further to the big wide open gate and used that.
Evaluating the route
The sign said Dogs must be on a lead, it didn't say anything about holding onto the lead
(I did, but the photo opportunity was just too good to miss)
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