It was always clear to me that my first dog of my own should also accompany me to the stable and on horseback rides. It was my absolute heart's desire and dream, which has come true for me through Bijou. The original use of spikes on farms can still be seen very clearly in Bijou's behavior I think. As soon as we roll into the yard with the car, she starts to squeak with anticipation. Bijou is allowed to move freely on the farm and also has a solid basic obedience that allows this. As long as Mum prepares the food and cleans the horses, Spitz is busy greeting the other dogs at the farm and checking that everything is all right.
In the feed room people like to rummage around for mice to protect the feed. With all these important, pointed tasks, however, one eye always remains on Mum and where she is hanging around. Stable owners and people you see often are greeted in a friendly manner and some even cuddle them extensively like Bijou. If someone strange comes, Mum will report him, but then complete strangers will also be greeted in a friendly manner. As soon as Mum saddles up, we're excitedly going back and forth between the edge of the forest and the cleaning area, because Mum is way too slow again. Finally she is seated and then it can start! As with a normal walk, Bijou is characterized by the fact that she simply follows you on a ride and you don't have to pay too much attention to her. She strays left-right from front to back with a maximum distance of about 10 meters and it almost seems as if she is protecting the surroundings and securing the situation for the approaching rider. When observing, one can only imagine how the spitz once accompanied riders or carriages on dangerous journeys. Bijou reports oncoming strangers with a look at Mum and a certain posture.
Sometimes (when mum doesn't check) there's also barking. Bijou can then be retrieved very reliably (regardless of whether on horseback, bicycle or on foot) and then walks past the "driven source". Grazing animals such as sheep, other horses or cows are ignored and even passed in the foot. Unlike our earlier herding dog, Bijou has a great curiosity about horses from the start. The most important thing in the training to become a companion dog was that Bijou is not too close to the horse and is not likely to be kicked. Through frequent practice, Bijou now actually always keeps his distance and, should a horse kick or be frightened and jump away, he is also quite smart and can dodge quickly, agilely and by hitting his heels. Due to Bijou's less pronounced interest in hunting, she can go horseback riding even when there is a lot of game in the forest. We have met deer many times and this is where Bijou always stays with me. If they just stand around, they won't even notice Bijou. If they run away from us, Bijou shows a slight interest in the movement but can still be retrieved reliably and is then usually placed in the square to let the deer pass. But even without this check, Bijou wouldn't keep up because she stops automatically if she loses sight of her mistress or if she has to change her way. When riding Bijou is very persistent and enjoys these hours visibly and to the fullest. We've been on the road for up to 2 hours so far and Bijou is happiest when she can stroll back and forth at a leisurely pace. At the trot she usually runs parallel to the rider and can keep up. At higher canter speeds, she also likes to run free and stretch while cantering. At the moment, however, she can only do this for short distances and then falls back. In traffic, Bijou walks on his foot so as not to endanger himself or others. Here she is always friendly and relaxed. Riding in a group with several horses and driving a carriage is also possible with her without any problems. Bijou has more than fulfilled my dream of having a riding companion dog and visibly fits into the role.
Guest contribution & pictures: Nicola Türk