Random wandering

I usually let T choose which way we turn at the garden gate - left towards the fields, or right towards the beach. A few days ago he turned right but was fairly clear at the end of the street that he wanted to turn inland. So we went that way and he took me on a walk we have never done. Obviously I knew where we were and have driven round the area, we have just never walked that way. To be honest, I didn't think it would appeal as it's a fair amount of pavement walking and mainly on lead. However he has taken me in that overall direction another twice, but on each occasion he has, at some stage, taken a new route; so that's three new walks. He has never shown any urge to explore before, I am happy to go with it but I am curious, not just why, but why now. I am wondering if it is related at all to the joint supplements, maybe he feels more up for testing the unknown. Strange little dog ...

I wonder if he's following new scents?

Jasper often 'explores'. One time he insisted on crossing a road and headed up a narrow alleyway opposite. What intrigued me was that visually, I don't think he'd be able to identify it as something other than a driveway so thought maybe he could tell from the smell that a lot of people and, possibly, animals (though this was in a built-up area) used that path. But to clock it from the other side of the road?

Maybe dogs do this more when they're older because they have decided that the usual walks aren't going to throw up anything new - been there, done that - and they have the confidence to explore their world more. Or maybe it takes them several years to cotton on to 'Hey, I can go wherever I want!'

How long was he on the joint supplement for before you noticed a change in him? I'm wondering if there's any ingredients that might pep up the mind as well as the body. If so, I'll have to try it myself!

I'd say about 3 weeks to a month was when I saw a change - interesting idea. I'd love to know what's in his mind!