If the wolves want to go for a walk

Diary entry, 08.01.2010, Bea Belenyi

Pictures of the day (3 images)   

We try to take out every wolf for a walk once a week. Some of them with guests, some of them only with us. All the animals have both conditions, to take only some of the wolves for a walk with new people would not be good for the animals. For example Shima. Shima enjoys the walks with guests, but every time we have a stranger with us, she is pulling on the leash quite often. As soon as we take her out without a new person being present, she becomes the most eminent wolf ever. Not pulling at all, paying attention to us and so on. Apache is also much more relaxed around humans that he knows. If there is a new person he always has to have on eye on them. Anyhow, we would like to have all of our animals on the walks, also with guests, so that they face this situation as well. Of course, as long as they enjoy meeting new people.
A day before yesterday Aragorn, Kaspar, Apache and Yukon got a chance to come with us for a walk. Kaspar behaved very well, and marked of course nearly every bush on the side of the path. What else should he do, this is a really important part of the alpha’s job. But he took care, that the leash remained relaxed and also found the time to come back to us and take his treats. Aragorn behaved well mannered and perfectly outside. He did not want to sniff, he preferred to go back and forth between Rita and me, to get his Royal Canin dry food pieces. After a while he also found the time to scant-roll in the fresh snow. Apache was more insecure, and was not sure if he wanted to come out with us for a walk or not. The remained 8 started to howl, which was not helping in Apache’s decision to come with us at all. After a couple of minutes he decided to come along and enjoy his time outside the enclosure. Originally I did not want to take out Yukon as well, but after her training-session she stayed and looked at the door and after a while jumped at the door to make it clear to us that she wanted to go for a walk. Who can resist a wolf who is begging for a walk? So combined with a walk-test, I took her out for a walk as well. She was really happy and enjoyed every second of the walk.

At the moment is not so easy to go for a walk, because a lot of snow fell yesterday and today. This is a lot of fun for the wolves (they have a very weather-proof and thick fur and feel much better if it’s cold than if it’s warm). For the humans who work here…well…less fun.