Bad weather? No....
....that's bad clothing 😊
I don't know about you, but I've gotten a lot of comments over the years – especially from family (who aren't the ones who go out training/competing in all kinds of weather) – about the amount of various equipment for both dog and handler, and I haven't even seen much compared to others.
If we start with me, I started with a pair of good outdoor boots (good for fixing ankles when walking sweaty in the forest) and a shell jacket. I have to promise that it has changed over the years, but nevertheless it is all used – it is not something that is just bought and lying around, no it is in use in one way or another.
If you went out and opened the car now, you would find in the back seat: 1 set of rain gear, 1 extra pair of shoes – silver car cover (sun protection) – 1 teddy jacket. Then I am ready for a shower and possibly change shoes/jacket if it gets wet. And I am ALWAYS protected with a car sun cover – it is great – lowers the temperature in the car a few degrees (the car is of course ALWAYS open in spring/summer when she is in the car) 😊
In addition to what's in the car, I have a DC Winter Parka, lined winter pants, 1 more Teddy, 1 windbreaker, 1 DC vest (good in the summer with lots of pocket space), 1 more rain suit, 1 pair of summer pants and a few thin transitional jackets that I can adjust with long or short sleeves underneath depending on the temperature. I also use the vest in spring/autumn with a padded jacket underneath.
If we then do the same exercise with the dog – that is, open the car now and look in the back by the cage and see what is in the car for her (and it's NOT a dedicated dog car – it's our family car), then there's:
Water bowl – thermos with water – Flexline, 3m line – 5m line – rain cover – towel – fart bags – donut bed in the cage – and various bags of treats. In addition, a plastic bucket with a lid for filled fart bags (there is not always a trash can nearby and it is a bit disgusting to drive home with it in the car, so go ahead, put it in the plastic bucket and put the lid on until we get home and it will ONLY be used for that) 😊
In addition to that, Emma has a few boxes or 3 in our utility room, which are filled with:
The cooling blanket for the summer, the winter blanket for the short-legged beagle so she doesn't get snow on her belly - a body-hugging blanket to wear for the tests that take place in the winter, rain blankets, Nose Work equipment (fragrances - micro tubes - cotton swabs, etc.), mousse for the fur/mouth corners (antiseptic) for care, etc., etc.
Many would say that this is excessive, but for once I will say that it is actually necessary as a dog handler. Both dog and handler must be ready for any situation when you are out for up to 5-6 hours. Then it sucks to get soaked - and the same with the dog 😊
GUILTY: I can admit, however, that it is impossible for me to go into a dog equipment store without coming out with something – perhaps mostly treats (single protein).
Does anyone else feel the same way as me? 😊
A little about the blogger.
Lotte is the project coordinator and spends most of her free time training with her dog Emma, who is a 10-year-old beagle. They have trained and competed in Schweiss's track for several years. Agility without much success (you can't lure them with treats) and now they train Nose Work 2-3 times a week if they can get to it. They compete at NW3 level, and they have a party together when they apply <3 – because the most important thing for this dog handler is that the DOG has fun, and that you learn the most from the mistakes you make. So instead of being angry/disappointed about a test that didn't go as planned, learn from it! - in most cases it's not the dog that makes the mistake <3
You must not step on equipment.
Bad weather? No....
....that's bad clothing 😊
I don't know about you, but I've gotten a lot of comments over the years – especially from family (who aren't the ones who go out training/competing in all kinds of weather) – about the amount of various equipment for both dog and handler, and I haven't even seen much compared to others.
If we start with me, I started with a pair of good outdoor boots (good for fixing ankles when walking sweaty in the forest) and a shell jacket. I have to promise that it has changed over the years, but nevertheless it is all used – it is not something that is just bought and lying around, no it is in use in one way or another.
If you went out and opened the car now, you would find in the back seat: 1 set of rain gear, 1 extra pair of shoes – silver car cover (sun protection) – 1 teddy jacket. Then I am ready for a shower and possibly change shoes/jacket if it gets wet. And I am ALWAYS protected with a car sun cover – it is great – lowers the temperature in the car a few degrees (the car is of course ALWAYS open in spring/summer when she is in the car) 😊
In addition to what's in the car, I have a DC Winter Parka, lined winter pants, 1 more Teddy, 1 windbreaker, 1 DC vest (good in the summer with lots of pocket space), 1 more rain suit, 1 pair of summer pants and a few thin transitional jackets that I can adjust with long or short sleeves underneath depending on the temperature. I also use the vest in spring/autumn with a padded jacket underneath.
If we then do the same exercise with the dog – that is, open the car now and look in the back by the cage and see what is in the car for her (and it's NOT a dedicated dog car – it's our family car), then there's:
Water bowl – thermos with water – Flexline, 3m line – 5m line – rain cover – towel – fart bags – donut bed in the cage – and various bags of treats. In addition, a plastic bucket with a lid for filled fart bags (there is not always a trash can nearby and it is a bit disgusting to drive home with it in the car, so go ahead, put it in the plastic bucket and put the lid on until we get home and it will ONLY be used for that) 😊
In addition to that, Emma has a few boxes or 3 in our utility room, which are filled with:
The cooling blanket for the summer, the winter blanket for the short-legged beagle so she doesn't get snow on her belly - a body-hugging blanket to wear for the tests that take place in the winter, rain blankets, Nose Work equipment (fragrances - micro tubes - cotton swabs, etc.), mousse for the fur/mouth corners (antiseptic) for care, etc., etc.
Many would say that this is excessive, but for once I will say that it is actually necessary as a dog handler. Both dog and handler must be ready for any situation when you are out for up to 5-6 hours. Then it sucks to get soaked - and the same with the dog 😊
GUILTY: I can admit, however, that it is impossible for me to go into a dog equipment store without coming out with something – perhaps mostly treats (single protein).
Does anyone else feel the same way as me? 😊
A little about the blogger.
Lotte is the project coordinator and spends most of her free time training with her dog Emma, who is a 10-year-old beagle. They have trained and competed in Schweiss's track for several years. Agility without much success (you can't lure them with treats) and now they train Nose Work 2-3 times a week if they can get to it. They compete at NW3 level, and they have a party together when they apply <3 – because the most important thing for this dog handler is that the DOG has fun, and that you learn the most from the mistakes you make. So instead of being angry/disappointed about a test that didn't go as planned, learn from it! - in most cases it's not the dog that makes the mistake <3