HOBBIES

After Redi retired from dog agility I had to come up with something else to do in order to keep this aging dog in good condition. We had a running course at my work place so I hit the road... Redi has run with me and even though I don't intend to enter any canicross competitions I have attended a 10K run by myself. And there's more yet to come. Redi has the honor to be my personal trainer.


photo: Nora Niemispelto


Obedience training has been important for Redi from the start. It's a fun hobby as itself but also fundamental for all other disciplines. We've taken part in trials in beginners' class and have done ok. Nowadays we only do obedience in everyday situations.



We started doing dog agility a little already on Redi's first summer. For a long time we could only train it during the summer but when we bought a car we could also train in the winter. We competed a few times and were able to finish a couple of courses without disqualification. Yes! At the beginning of summer 2010 Redi sprained his left fore leg. He was on sick leave, was massaged and x-rayed thoroughly. Nothing was wrong with him bonewise. In the fall we attended one competition but than evening Redi was limping again. His front just can't take his fieverish way of doing agility any more. In order to be able to keep my precious as long as possible, I decided to retire him from agility.


photo: Katja Patrikainen


Redi has also done some retrieving (training for cold game trials). Our biggest problem is the lack of co-operation which can be seen in returning (or not ;) ) the game.


We've also tried tracking. We've taken part in one trial and got a result but not a very good one. Redi would surely like tracking but it's a time consuming hobby so we've forgotten it for now.


Layout ©Tiina Pakarinen
All photos ©Niina&Nikke Niemispelto, if not mentioned otherwise