Rock Chuck Tours

April 19, 2025

It’s Spring again and so my pups are offering Rock Chuck Tours most mornings between 7am and 10am. This is the second year that they’re offering the tour, and new this year is the “Stump Chuck” exhibit—most of the other chucks are hidden within the mounds of lava rocks. Curating the tour takes focus, dedication, persistence, a willingness to get a bit dirty, and teamwork. These three pups are really good at keeping one another on task everyday, and their curation efforts are really starting to pay off.

Three Pups on the hunt

Check out this blog entry about Rock Chucks at the Old Mill. Making Friends With the Old Mill District Rock Chuck — Bend Magazine.

In the Spring, my pups love approaching the Rock Chuck hideouts in the undeveloped land behind our neighborhood because they are usually rewarded with a noisy “chuck” sound, which is like a cross between a squirrel bark and a bird chirp. Rock chucks are social animals that live in little groups, so the “chuck” sound can serve as a warning to their buddies that danger may be approaching and so everyone should take cover. Becoming accustomed to seeing my pups, sometimes it appears as if the rock chucks encourage this daily ritual, and I’ve observed them chucking before my pups even start to approach their burrows. It's as if the rock chucks are egging the pups on to keep trying to find them. I’m sure my pups, who aren’t nearly as hungry as their natural predators, could be helping them figure out the most vulnerable parts of their hidden fortresses.

Porter dirty and happy after helping a rockchuck fortify his fortress

The new Stump Chuck Exibit

These Rock Chuck interactions highlight how regular exposure to nature can be good for our health and for the health of our pets. My pups are getting the chance to stimulate their minds and hone their tracking skills which can be utilized to help them do a variety of other fun activities like chasing the ball and playing rugby.

Milo Loves playing Rugby with my son

Hunting Skills pay off for playing Rugby

Check out this blog about the benefits of nature exposure. The mental health benefits of nature: Spending time outdoors to refresh your mind - Mayo Clinic Press