Attending SCA events with a dog!

[vikingwolfess]

Recently me and a very good friend from the West discussed what "a good dog" is at an SCA event. "A Good Dog" at an SCA event is one thing - a good handler. This handler make sure this dog know how to behave and react. Can make a judgement of this dog is suitable to attend an event at all...

I have 4 (!) dogs to choose among when I atted Bourn Ffair next week. I am only going to bring ONE of them.Having any more than that is too much for me to handle on my own and it will create a pack that will guard my camp and just cause trouble.

This is how I determined which one to bring...

1. Selune 9 years old and has attended one event. She hated it! She is noise sensitive and does not like the noise heavy fighting and armour makes. Selune is not a good candidate.

2. Tesla, 5 years old and has attended two events already. She didn't mind going, but she can be a bit sharp toward people and dogs that approaches her in the wrong way. She is also very dark in colour and will suffer without proper shelter. As her son Loki will attend as well Tesla still transfer into her Mama Bear mood and want to protect her (grown) son. Not a good candidate either.

3. Nanuq, two years old. Son of Tesla. New to SCA events. We got him back a third time in March. He is poorly socialised with other dogs and even if he absolutley adores people, I think that he would be overwhelmed with going to an event spanning over several days. I had considered bringing him and do a day trip - but as the weather is going to be too hot on the day I had planned to bring him he will stay at home.

4. Aliy, also a Tesla pup. She is the one I am going to bring to Bourn Ffair and she attended last year as well. She can be a bit timid, but good with people, including kids. I know I can trust her not to cause any trouble. She might be a bit funny with other dogs, but I have to play it by ear really. She is used to be "staked out" on a line, and the one I have taken to events lately.

When taking a dog to an event, it's MY responsibility the dog will have a good time, behaves well around people and other dogs. Do not jump up on unknown people, steal food or walk around unsupervised.

Even if I am trying to make her equipment look period by haveing a fake wood looking water bowl and copper looking food bowl I have to make sure Aliy is safe and comfortable. 

I will bring her bright blue cooling coat to keep her comfortable during hot temperatures.  Her stake out line is made by wire and bright red, and she will be attached on a secure pink harness. I am not going to make these things look period and might comprimise her saftey.

However, when walking around she will have her new medieval looking sighthoud martingale collar*  and a leather lead. (though the medieval collar had a buckle instead of being of the slight choke/martingale type)

image from ( https://themedievalhunt.com/ )

* This is so Aliy can't back out of her collar. She has done that a few times with buckle collars and a martingale one is more secure for her.