In an earlier post, I wrote about the benefits of playing with your dog, using games to build trust and communication, not to mention expend the inexhaustible canine energy.  Well, recently my boyfriend begin roller blading with Stranger.  Inspired by the Dog Whisperer, he thought roller blading would be ideal, a fun workout for both of them.  We chose early morning and a quiet street in our neighborhood to limit traffic and survive the heat.  I stood by, worrying about my boys.

What if a roadrunner distracted Stranger?  What if they became tangled?  What if they ran into a car?

The pair started out pretty comical.  Stranger was very excited but had no idea what he was supposed to do.  Wasn’t he supposed to stay by our side?  Isn’t that what we were always insisting?  Now we want him to run full speed ahead?  Humans are weird.

I started running ahead of them, calling Stranger to me as I went.  Eventually, he started running ahead.  Nick bent his knees and focused on his balance.  I stepped out of the way, and off they went, disappearing around the bend.  After a few minutes, I became very nervous.  My mind started to fill with terrible scenarios.  Just as I was about to go looking for the two loons, they appeared, exhausted and ecstatic.

A couple more rounds…

Stranger took a two hour nap, and my boyfriend drank some water and collapsed on the couch.  I sat down to write, thinking “hmm, I should do this more often.”

I highly recommend roller blading with your dog if you are very  comfortable on blades.  If not, get comfortable before you attach a dog to you.  A fun ride can easily become a dangerous situation so there are a few very important things to keep in mind:

• Choose an area without traffic or any other distractions.  Try to find a quiet path with shade.
• Wear protective gear, helmet, elbow and knee pads
• Use vocal signals to warn pedestrians (better to do it in a place or a time where there are few if any pedestrians)
• Use a longer leash than normal.  Its length should be able to alert you if your dog takes off unexpectedly and enable you to stay connected with him if he needs help.
• Strengthen commands like heel or stop or slow (this is a tough one!)
• A harness leash is best to avoid choking the dog if you have to stop unexpectedly.
• Keep yourself and your dog hydrated.  Make sure his pads aren’t getting worn out.  Be mindful of how long you’ve been at it and how tired your dog is.
• Enlist a wing man or woman to help

Have fun : )  And as always, let me know if any of you have tried this with any success (or failure).