Odin Week 11 — A Mischievous Streak and Soaked Socks

Silly Shepherds · 5-minute read

Sunday evening. Drizzle. Big puddles in the street.

Odin and Zara catch a scent. Apparently, the kind that requires both dogs to investigate at exactly the same time. They cut left, right in front of my feet.

I step sideways to keep my balance.

Straight into a deep puddle.

Ankle-deep in water. And, of course, wearing exactly the wrong shoes for the occasion.

The dogs got their interesting smell. I got wet socks.

A fitting end to a week when two German Shepherds did their best to set the pace.

At least, that was their plan.

🐾 Monday — Odin Wakes Up Feeling Mischievous

Monday morning started at the dog park, where Garry was already waiting.

Odin had energy. Lots of energy. And Zara was getting most of it: pestering her, chasing her, then going back for more. I called him back a few times. When he kept at it, I clipped on his leash and kept him with me for about five minutes.

A little break.

Then we tried again.

And who started it this time?

Zara.

Well, that makes things complicated. It’s hard to keep slowing Odin down when she keeps inviting him back for another round.

During our walk, he kept pulling and wanted to lunge at other dogs, too. One of those mornings when helping him through everything takes most of your attention, and you don’t get much chance to relax yourself.

But later that day, something made me smile.

Out in a big open field, Odin spotted people with dogs in the distance. He wanted to head their way. I called him.

He came back.

A little later, it happened again. And again, he came back.

Those dogs were still a long way off. I know that’s different from coming when called with another dog right in front of his nose. But I don’t have to downplay it, either.

Two calls. Two returns.

I was happy with that.

🐾 The Badger Is Back, Too

On our late walk, we saw our familiar badger again.

Yes, familiar. At this rate, I’ll be giving him a name.

Odin and Zara had spotted him in the dark before we got close. Both were interested immediately. Odin especially thought this was quite an event.

The badger didn’t seem particularly bothered by my presence, but he made it clear he wasn’t looking for company.

So the dogs stayed on their leashes, and we gave him plenty of room as we passed.

His evening. Ours.

I love that an ordinary late-night walk can suddenly bring you face-to-face with a wild animal, just out there living his own life.

🐾 A Dog Park Full of Familiar Faces

Garry was practically part of our morning routine this week.

A little time at the park. A little conversation. Odin and Zara running around, with Garry joining in. Then home along Heerlerbaan.

On Tuesday, Luna was there, too, an older black Labrador. Those two can be a bit much for her when they get going, but that morning they gave her space. They ran around her and mostly kept each other busy.

Garry is one of the older dogs now, too. Still, I suspect he rather enjoys being part of the chase.

And on Sunday, Pacco stopped by again.

He’s a friend of Odin’s. They spotted each other, and the games started immediately.

With some dogs, you watch those first moments carefully: how is this meeting going to go? With these two, what I saw was recognition and fun.

Meanwhile, Zara wanted to join in, too. And Odin had his work cut out for him, dividing his attention.

🐾 Three Minutes on a Bench

On Wednesday, we took a long walk through the woods. An hour and a half out together.

Now and then, I like to sit on a bench.

Just look around. Do nothing for a minute.

Odin has a different opinion.

After about three minutes, he started pulling on the leash and digging. As far as he was concerned, it was clearly time to get moving again.

Walking is fine. Running is excellent. But staying in one place together while nothing happens is still difficult.

I noticed that more than once this week. Outside, Odin is in a hurry. Zara often joined in: a little more pulling, a little farther ahead, and a pace that left me mostly trying to keep up.

I found myself looking forward to the training we’ll be starting soon.

Because I’d like our walks to be a little calmer, too. With time to look around, and some slack in those leashes.

🐾 Fall Is Showing Its Colors

Thankfully, there were plenty of moments when I did get to look around.

The woods are slowly changing. Red, yellow, and orange among the green. Mushrooms tucked between fallen leaves. Cooler air.

When it’s dry, I love being outside with the dogs at this time of year.

I can see Zara enjoying it, too. Running, starting games, chasing after Odin again. Waking up from her summer hibernation, as I always call it.

Of course, this week also came with plenty of rain.

On Friday evening, the wind and rain were so strong that we kept our last walk short. Over to the field, a little sniffing, a bathroom break, and home.

Then a blow-dry under the new covered area outside.

On Saturday evening, we made it home just before a heavy burst of hail and rain. One of fall’s little victories.

Dry dogs. Dry clothes. Just in time.

Sunday didn’t work out quite as well.

🐾 Eleven Weeks — Everyday Life Together

Between walks, I finished the last few things on the website this week. By Thursday, it was ready. That felt good. A little more room for everyday life again.

Although everyday life with Odin still takes plenty of attention.

Noticing when the playing gets too much for Zara. Calling him back before he gets too far away. Helping him through a walk when he wants to go everywhere at once.

And noticing what goes well along the way.

Coming back twice in the open field. Playing around Luna while giving her space. Seeing Pacco again. More and more familiar faces on our walks.

The week was full of moments like those. Sometimes tiring, sometimes lovely. Often both on the same day.

And that last Sunday evening?

I finished the walk with soaked feet. Thankfully, the dogs took care of business a little faster this time.

Half an hour later, we were home.

Happy dogs. Me, looking for dry socks.

That’s life with German Shepherds, too.

📖 De Taal van de Herder

You can read more about our life with German Shepherds, and our approach to calm, clear boundaries, and living together, in my book De Taal van de Herder.

Explore the book on our book page.

🐕 No Wikipedia. Just us.

This is our honest diary of Odin and life with our dogs. What’s going well, what’s still challenging, and what we’re learning along the way. Week by week. Step by step.

Read next

• Odin week 10 — Zara crowns herself Queen of the Dog Park
• Odin, Week 1 — From Loose Cannon to a Dog With Real Promise
• German Shepherd Adolescence — Suddenly, They Seem to Forget Everything You Taught Them
• The book: The dog who would walk through fire for you