We arrived at our Top Secret Training Location just after dawn. It was pretty foggy this morning!
We were greeted by a coyote that was barking his fool head off at us. He was throwing rapid fire challenge barks and moving back and forth about 40 yards in front of us. I made the dogs heel and we walked directly toward him. He relinquished the territory, but continued to challenge-bark as he backed away. We pushed him a little farther back away from our position, then changed course and headed across the wind so we would not be so easily detected. I was never worried about him. I’m not the least bit afraid of coyotes. I do have some concern that Peck might get too friendly with them, so I am careful when I know they are stirring in the vicinity. Sorry I didn’t get a picture of the yodel-dog, but I was too busy keeping my animals under watch to think about pulling the camera out of my pocket. Oh well, I’m sure you’ve all seen a coyote before.
We spent the rest of the morning exploring a swampy area where I knew Peck would be too busy to think much about the coyote. The strategy appeared to work.
Here’s a shot of my most important dog training equipment. Everyone who has a dog should have at least one pair of these!
My wife, who is the family’s self-appointed footwear connoisseur, can tell you that these things ROCK. Warm and dry all the time!
Besides the interaction with the coyote we also found another sure sign that spring is rapidly approaching.
YIPPEE!!!
Slack Leads!
Muck Creek Kennels 
Good one:-)