Friday, January 29, 2010

Congratulations Puppy Graduates!

Thursday night we concluded another Puppy K class. I have to admit the puppy classes are some of my favorites. They always make us laugh at their antics, but it is also very rewarding to see puppies come in the first night out of control and go home at the end of graduation doing so much better. Most don't go home genius's but they do go home with a much better understanding of what their owners want from them and how to do it. On the last night we run through a *test* on all the different objects we train on.
Jade is a Giant Schnauzer who will be continuing in her training, working toward becoming a Service Dog to her owner. Jade graduated with top honors in this class. Here she is showing off her skills on the LEAVE IT command.
Lexi is another puppy who is working toward an eventual Service Dog completion. Right now her biggest issue is in trying to stay focused. Last night she showed everyone she CAN in fact do this, it just takes her a bit of effort right now.

Lexi was also doing very well on her stay command, even though she is still a young and exciteable Springer. It just goes to show what training can accomplish if you set your mind and efforts to it!
Katie, our little Corgi puppy did fabulous all through the training weeks. So of course on Graduation night she decided to become a puppy *teen* and show off for everyone. Katie still graduated, she just had to remind everyone in class how adorable she can be! As long as mom could hold her focus last night Katie did a great job on her heeling.
Kiley is taking out a new page in training with Wheaton Terriers. I've worked with many and they are all so excited about every single little thing in life, getting them to focus can be a whole new challenge of it's own. Kiley however did a terrific job in graduation class and has shown a great deal of improvement through out the class. Getting her to stay is still some what of a challenge unless you can keep her focused, but as you can see Kiley can certainly do this with the best of them, given the opportunity.
Kiley also did a great job on her DOWN command. Not an easy thing for a young Wheaton to do!

Upon completion of all testing, it was time to unveil the Graduates. Helping us to unroll the Red Carpet was our *resident* training helper, Lugnut.


Congratulations to all our Puppy K Graduates and their owners! You've all done a wonderful job. The job now is to not stop working with them and let them slide backwards! We'll be seeing many of you in our next class.

Katie the Corgi and mom
  Jade the Giant Schnauzer, and mom
Sid, most improved, and mom
Kiley the Wheaton, and mom
  Lexi, the Springer and mom
                   

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