SnowAngels Samoyeds
Where Samoyeds are honored, loved and adored
Our Favorite Activities
Early Morning Walks
SnowAngel Samoyeds favorite time to walk is..... right now! A Samoyed's eyesight is actually best in dim light. And (duh) Samoyeds like cool weather. Put those two facts together.... and it's no surprise they really really really love a challenging "expedition" first thing in the morning.
We use booties for their paws in the winter when there is salt on the roads; in the summer when the asphalt may be hot; or if we're going "off road" where there may be broken glass.
For the dogs over 2 years fo age, when the weather is below 50 degrees, we add a backpack (weighing 25% of their body weight) to each dog to give them an extra good workout.
We vary the walking routine by pairing dogs differently, or walking them in different order. It seems like a small thing, but it reinforces humans-as-sole-pack-leader-thing which we believe contributes to how well we all get along.
Hiking, Sledding and Scootering
Once each week, we pile ourselves into the truck and go somewhere. It could be a dog show, the reservoir, a park, a friend's house, or a structured dog/community activity. The goal is to get the SnowAngels out to meet people and other dogs and get us all some exercise that is different from our regular walk/runs. The only requirements are that the dogs will be safe and allowed.
Thanks to our friend Tamara and her Sam Gidget, we have learned about the fun of scootering. Okay....so it's not something you see every day on the streets of Baltimore, but the dogs love it!
To learn more about places where you can take your dog to hike in Maryland, click here.
Obedience and Handling
We have only committed to the basics in obedience. Abraham, Sarah, Flurry and Halo are all graduates of basic obedience classes, but we marvel at the folks who can get their Samoyeds to "stay" while a rabbit hops in front of them, or walk on a loose lead no matter what's going on around them. We're happy to have general respect and good "stand/stays" in the show ring.
In March, 2009, we started working with a professional trainer, Sue Carlton of P.A.C.K Balance to prepare us all to take the Canine Good Citizen test. We've learned much more than just commands. We've learned where the kinks in our relationships have developed. We'll get there....
We also take regular handling classes through the Maryland Dog Owner Training Club. They are a great resource for show ring practice and socializing Sammies with other breeds.
Massage
A close physical connection with humans is one of the essential elements in a well-balanced Samoyed. Maintenance massages requires a basic understanding of the Samoyed's nervous, circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems (which we figure we need to know anyway). A 15-20 minute massage improves the nervous and circulatory systems in both the giver and the receiver, allows us to keep tabs on the dogs' physical and mental condition, and maintains a trusting and respectful relationship among us all. The benefits also include an improved physical and mental condition, and an stronger immune system.
And SnowAngels Samoyeds love massages! They congregate wherever a massage is going on and aren't always subtle in anticipating their turn.
Romping
As direct descendants of wolves, Samoyeds have very strong pack-directed behavior and they seek peace and order as intensely as they seek everything else (even if the "pack" is just one dog). They need to reconfirm pack order and positive energy every day.
Our Samoyeds achieve this is through supervised play which includes a good romp in the yard a couple of times each day. In the morning after exercise but before breakfast, and later in the evening well after dinner, they basically "go nuts" for 15-20 minutes (longer if there's snow on the ground). It's fascinating to watch the pack behavior in action. Chasing, playing, wrestling, nuzzling, teasing, leaping, teaching, herding, protecting, strategizing, teaching, apologizing, foregiving, faking, navigating, cooperating. Romping provides mental and physical exercise.
Romp sessions generally result in some disturbed landscaping, a few terrorized rabbits and squirrels. And since it's all followed by a general happy group calm...we know we've achieved our goal.
Snuggling and Napping
Our Samoyeds love to snuggle. We have snuggle session after meals, after romping, and before bedtime. These sessions reinforce our roles as providers of secruity, affection, and calm.
As working dogs, Samoyeds know instinctively that they can be called on to expend lots of energy at any time. They conserve energy and recouperate from exercies and romp sessions by napping. Our Samoyeds nap happily for long periods during the day, which makes it possible for us to work full time and still have happy healthy Samoyeds.
SnowAngel Samoyeds favorite time to walk is..... right now! A Samoyed's eyesight is actually best in dim light. And (duh) Samoyeds like cool weather. Put those two facts together.... and it's no surprise they really really really love a challenging "expedition" first thing in the morning. We use booties for their paws in the winter when there is salt on the roads; in the summer when the asphalt may be hot; or if we're going "off road" where there may be broken glass.
For the dogs over 2 years fo age, when the weather is below 50 degrees, we add a backpack (weighing 25% of their body weight) to each dog to give them an extra good workout.
We vary the walking routine by pairing dogs differently, or walking them in different order. It seems like a small thing, but it reinforces humans-as-sole-pack-leader-thing which we believe contributes to how well we all get along.
Hiking, Sledding and Scootering
Once each week, we pile ourselves into the truck and go somewhere. It could be a dog show, the reservoir, a park, a friend's house, or a structured dog/community activity. The goal is to get the SnowAngels out to meet people and other dogs and get us all some exercise that is different from our regular walk/runs. The only requirements are that the dogs will be safe and allowed.
Thanks to our friend Tamara and her Sam Gidget, we have learned about the fun of scootering. Okay....so it's not something you see every day on the streets of Baltimore, but the dogs love it!
To learn more about places where you can take your dog to hike in Maryland, click here.
Obedience and Handling
We have only committed to the basics in obedience. Abraham, Sarah, Flurry and Halo are all graduates of basic obedience classes, but we marvel at the folks who can get their Samoyeds to "stay" while a rabbit hops in front of them, or walk on a loose lead no matter what's going on around them. We're happy to have general respect and good "stand/stays" in the show ring. In March, 2009, we started working with a professional trainer, Sue Carlton of P.A.C.K Balance to prepare us all to take the Canine Good Citizen test. We've learned much more than just commands. We've learned where the kinks in our relationships have developed. We'll get there....
We also take regular handling classes through the Maryland Dog Owner Training Club. They are a great resource for show ring practice and socializing Sammies with other breeds.
Massage
A close physical connection with humans is one of the essential elements in a well-balanced Samoyed. Maintenance massages requires a basic understanding of the Samoyed's nervous, circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems (which we figure we need to know anyway). A 15-20 minute massage improves the nervous and circulatory systems in both the giver and the receiver, allows us to keep tabs on the dogs' physical and mental condition, and maintains a trusting and respectful relationship among us all. The benefits also include an improved physical and mental condition, and an stronger immune system. And SnowAngels Samoyeds love massages! They congregate wherever a massage is going on and aren't always subtle in anticipating their turn.
Romping
As direct descendants of wolves, Samoyeds have very strong pack-directed behavior and they seek peace and order as intensely as they seek everything else (even if the "pack" is just one dog). They need to reconfirm pack order and positive energy every day. Our Samoyeds achieve this is through supervised play which includes a good romp in the yard a couple of times each day. In the morning after exercise but before breakfast, and later in the evening well after dinner, they basically "go nuts" for 15-20 minutes (longer if there's snow on the ground). It's fascinating to watch the pack behavior in action. Chasing, playing, wrestling, nuzzling, teasing, leaping, teaching, herding, protecting, strategizing, teaching, apologizing, foregiving, faking, navigating, cooperating. Romping provides mental and physical exercise.
Romp sessions generally result in some disturbed landscaping, a few terrorized rabbits and squirrels. And since it's all followed by a general happy group calm...we know we've achieved our goal.
Snuggling and Napping
Our Samoyeds love to snuggle. We have snuggle session after meals, after romping, and before bedtime. These sessions reinforce our roles as providers of secruity, affection, and calm. As working dogs, Samoyeds know instinctively that they can be called on to expend lots of energy at any time. They conserve energy and recouperate from exercies and romp sessions by napping. Our Samoyeds nap happily for long periods during the day, which makes it possible for us to work full time and still have happy healthy Samoyeds.
