Mars' Swissies are currently learning how to pull a cart (wagon). They started by wearing a harness and being rewarded with food and praise. They loved that!
After learning to enjoy wearing the harness and many walks with it on, we started to have the humans pull the wagon along on the walk. This way they could hear the noise and know the wagon was also fun. Gradually they were able to learn to pull the milk jugs around, getting used to the feel of something behind them. We practiced dragging things over different surfaces, roads, yards and small hills. The neighbors laughed as we encouraged them to enjoy this new activity.
Finally we were ready to introduce the shafts of the wagon to the side of the harness. They learned that the harness and the wagon meant food, praise and of course adventure! They are all still in the beginning of the learning process. They pull their wagon around the block and are currently working up to longer distances. They enjoy pulling small children in the wagon and stopping to visit the neighbors along the route. Most importantly they enjoy their work and love the human companionship.
Cart building - a work in progress!
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