Hillside Farms

Last weeks puppy class was so much fun! I really can't wait to go back to Hillside Farms. There were these things that Mom called chickens roaming free but I didn't see them! I did see some in a giant kennel thing. There were some sheep too but they didn't bother me. The best part about the whole trip was swimming! There was a little creek that turned into a big one and I had a blast playing in the water. Afterwards Mom got an ice cream cone and she even got me a little bit of ice cream too! That was the second best part and it didn't upset my stomach later.

On Saturday I turned 4 months old! Mom says I'm growing up too fast. I even out grew my little puppy harness! Mom says I weight over 30 pounds now. I'm getting too big for her to carry me, which makes me a little sad because I love when Mom carries me around. I can almost jump on the couch too! Last night Mom decided that I was ready to sleep on the dog bed instead of in my crate. I wanted to show Mom that I was more than ready and I slept all night without getting into any trouble. It was a little hard at first because Burnaby was laying under the bed teasing me. She wanted to play, and so did I, but I had to be good so I can sleep there again tonight.

What chicken?

I love water!

So that's what a chicken is

Look I give great attention even in water

Mom and I

SSD Picnic and swimming

This past Saturday Mom and I went down to the kennels for an SSD puppy picnic! There were a lot of dogs there but only one other small puppy to play with. SSD Parks and I had a blast playing in the yard. She was shorter than me and her sister SSD Hale, who I play with at puppy class. After playing Mom went to eat lunch and I was a very good boy and sat under the table quietly. While at the kennel I got to play on the obstacle course. Mom took a picture of me going up the big ramp which I was a little nervous on but I was following my new friend. She is a little girl who kept playing with me and would give me some treats. I really enjoyed her.

Walking up the big ramp

Just chillin

On Sunday I went swimming! That was a big surprise to Mom. She seemed very excited that I willingly went into the water. I guess I should explain why. Last week when I went to work with Mom she took me into the fenced in area with the in-ground swimming pool to see if I was interested in going for a swim. While she wasn't looking I decided to check the area out. I had no idea what an in-ground pool was and I'm all brave and don't need Mom to be everywhere, so I was walking and sniffing and the next thing I knew I was in water! A lot of water! I fell head first into the pool, I still had my harness and collar on. Luckily Mom fished me out. After that I was not thrilled to go into the pool. Mom even got her swim suit on and carried me out into the water and I just swam to the steps and got out as fast as possible. After all this I really did enjoy playing in the pool with Burnaby.

Tomorrow for puppy class we are going to a farm! I'm really excited.

This past Tuesday I had a very busy day! First I went to my first SSD demo. I thought I did well but Mom is not happy that I bark at certain times to remind her I'm still here and that I'm waiting patiently for those treats. At one point Mom turned her back on me! I was like how dare she, so I laid down quietly and eventually she turned around and gave me treat for being quiet. Although I did it a couple more times and she kept turning her back. Mom told our trainer that I also bark at work and asked for some advice, I just think Mom is a tattle tail, I mean the barking is just so she doesn't forget about me. Hopefully we can come to an understanding about the barking.

Later that night I went to the rodeo! I got to see some horses and donkeys! We also ran into my big sister SSD Cinderella, Mom knew she was going to be there and that's why we went. I also got to walk on a  few new surfaces. It was a metal ramp and stairs that led up to the bleachers. I was not all concerned about the new surface. The other new surface I walked on was this orange shiny metal. I was unsure of it at first but Mom took some time to shape me to go on it. It wasn't long before I was sitting and laying down on it like it was no problem. I even met some little boys that kept petting me and trying to move me away from Mom but I never took my eyes off of her. Another guy even picked me up! Here are some photos Dad took.

I was a little worried about this new surface.

But Mom worked with me and now I'm fine with it

On Wednesday I went to puppy class. Mom got the results on my puppy 1 evaluation and we did really well. Mom and I are now working on cues for my puppy 2 eval. It includes sit/stay and down/stay and leave its with food and toys. I'm working really hard on these. I just don't see why I can't follow Mom everywhere and why I can't eat those treats on the floor, but I am getting better.

Yesterday Mom made me a new collar! Since I'm getting bigger she made me this very nice collar!

My new collar!

Tomorrow we are going down to SSD's kennel for a puppy picnic! I hear there are going to be a lot of puppies to play with! I'll make sure Mom takes pictures and I will tell you all about it next time! Have a good and safe weekend.

Evaluation, New Puppies and the Vet Oh My!

Last week at puppy class I had my puppy 1 evaluation! I had to show off how I do sit, down, kennel, come, loose leash walk, and my self control with the food dish. I haven't got my results yet but I feel like I aced this test. While showing off my come skills our head trainer decided to really test me. She sat half way between me and Mom with a hand full of my treats, which were cheerios! Guess what I completely ignored her! I even almost ran it to her trying to get to Mom. 

I'm just so happy after doing so well on my eval.!

Also we had some new puppies attend our class. SSD Pheonix and SSD Fred Astaire came for a visit. They normally go to classes down in Harrisburg but decided to visit us for the night. We also have a new addition to our Northeast Puppy Raiser group SSD Hale from the American Heros litter. This means I'm no longer the youngest and smallest pup! Although I'm only taller than Hale, she is not far behind on weight. I loved playing with her.

SSD Lewey and SSD Hale

 I also went to the vet last week. I now weight in at 18 pounds! I'm growing and I'm growing fast! On Saturday we went to a community day where there were a lot of kids and some live bands. One band even played my song, Louie Louie! I think the song writer got the spelling wrong! I was very welled behaved. Tomorrow I go to my first SSD demo. I'll let you know how that goes.