The “Three Pupsketeers” are at the age where they move so fast and in so many directions that it’s really hard to capture decent video of them. I’ll keep trying to bring you an update on them all very soon, but for now I can offer you this little gem of “Big Mac”:
Afternoons at the Kennel, I take Stella and Tiggy out for a romp. Their “job” at the Kennel is to help exercise and socialize the pups, so we take various combinations of them out into the big field with us. It is fascinating to watch Stella and Tig as they instinctively alter their “auntie” behavior with the different pups at different times. They start by offering playfulness and patience to the younger pups, then shift more toward exploration, enthusiasm and guidance as the pups develop.
In the case of “Big Mac” they seem to sense his “bad boy” personality streak and shift into a much more dominant and vocal kind of “schooling.” As you will see, they don’t give the kid much leeway. Although there is no real aggression or violence involved, he definitely gets the message that he is not “the boy king.” In fact, you will see that at one point they pretty well run him off. Indicative of his strong personality and hard head, however, he comes roaring right back!
The pups’ time with “Aunt Stella and Aunt Tig” is really good for them. It is a valuable, natural way for them to develop their social skills and to be integrated into a large, mature pack. So, here is an inside look at “growing up pup” at SP Kennel:
Wow! Mac is one BIG boy! It is nice to see Tig and Stella doing their "kennel jobs" too!
Great team effort led by Mac!
It's good to see that the two of them are teaching him to respect his elders … and the ladies.
I watched my two girls put a male dog, bigger than they in his place one day when he thought he would push them around – so it's great Big Mac is getting the lesson now. He will keep that lesson through his life – even when he outgrows them, I'd wager.
He is one big beautiful boy – definitely harking back to the lines that drew the Russians to the interior Alaskan dogs for their size and strength.
Wow he's gotten BIG! He still has some time left for growing and filling in. He may become the biggest dog in the kennel?
We are virtually certain that Mac will be the biggest dog in the Kennel… the only real question is by how much! Big Mac, Big Mac!
Are there plusses or minuses to a dog being particularly big (or small)? Or is size purely a cosmetic thing for a sled dog?
There are many "plusses and minuses" to a dog's size:
Big dogs tend to be stronger, of course, but not as agile on difficult trails. It's also harder for them to keep their weight up, so they may not have the same endurance.
Small dogs, just the opposite: Quick, agile, and plenty of stamina, but not as strong…
So, depending on the kind of running/racing you do, it can be very important how big/small your dogs are.
Makes sense (re size)… thanks for the response!
When will the pups start being trained? How do Aliy and Allen go about training them? I'd love some info on dog training, as I bet most of us have no idea how to begin to train sled dogs!
Wow! "Big Mac" is a "Whopper"!! What a beautiful dog ~ Thanks for the update!