Hey look, a real blog post!  Didn't know I was capable of it -- and on a Monday night to boot!  But, in all seriousness, Moray has had a busy week, months, and year so far!  

One of Moray's most exciting things of the last few weeks has been a road trip with my family.  We traveled 12 hours in the car each way, and he was a fantastic traveler and sidekick.

Hanging on his pillow.

 

Pit stop and water-drinking.

This was his first big trip, and actually his only one besides a trip for our CCI puppy raiser workshop last summer when he was only 14 weeks old!  It really stretched him as he had a lot more "working time" than he is used to, and every single place we went to was new for him.  

"Hotels are fun!"

Moray got to visit with several of our friends' dogs and have play time with them.  Although, making sure he had enough play time and down time was definitely a challenge since the weather did not always cooperate.  We got creative!

Like running between my mom and I up and down 3 stories of stairs in the hotel!

And Fetch in the room!

A friend's dog, Lola, and Moray.

We did have one set back for the week.  Moray had been running with a friend's dog in their yard, which is partly concrete.  We are always careful, and he seemed fine when he was running and even when we left to go to lunch.  Once we got back to our hotel, however, we were noticing blood all over the carpet.  Moray plays hard, so hard that I haven't had to cut his back nails for months becasue he wears them down himself.  It turned out that he had worn four of them down so far they started bleeding uncontrollably.  Thankfully, the hotel was fantastic about it, and even though they were not a pet-friendly place, they were so nice and felt so bad for Moray.  Some styptic powder and "new skin" for slightly scraped paws, and he was fine.

Moray thinks "Dancing with the Stars" is a good way to unwind!

One of the things that was so funny was Moray's complete and utter LOVE for my brother in law.  Moray is always friendly and happy to meet people, but I have never seen him take to someone like he did Curtis.  He was so cute (and a little naughty!) following him around, and trying to figure out what his beard was! It was so instant, and so precious!

The rest of our week there was filled with visiting at friends' houses, going to restaurants, stores, and even the mall.  Moray was very good the whole time!  This was by far his biggest challenge.  While he is confident, he is also pretty laid back, and doesn't necessarily need -- or want -- to be "working" all the time.  He was so good on all his outings, and showed he is capable, and becoming much more reliable in his good behavior. Yay Moray!  I will admit I was kind of nervous to see how you would do, but you really proved yourself!  he is well on his way to becoming an amazing assistance dog!

"Look how small and out-of-the-way I can stay!"

We also got to do some educating on service dogs and laws that give them public access.  Yay for open business who want to learn, and a perfect little ambassador in Moray!

Sleepy head after a loooooooong day!

"Where we headed next?"

AWESOME job in a crowded coffee shop.

Cutie Patootie at the mall!

"Under!"

"Up!

So stinkin' cute!

Nice loose leash, Mor!

Bowling is boring!

So focused and good!

SO sleepy on the way home!

Practice Makes Perfect (Eventually)

The month of December was pretty low-key and quiet for Moray.  There were lots of errands and places to go that were not the best venues to accomplish positive training, thus, we were doing well if Moray got an outing in once or twice per week.  

"Jump" at Tractor Supply

At church, watching game time during Awana

being loved on by a sweet little girl

The last few weeks of getting back into our normal schedule and routine have been very good for Moray.  Like most puppies, Moray needs a lot of repetition and consistency in his training.  His public manners are overall pretty well, but he is still having some issues that only regular and precise outings and exposure can help.  

Chilling at the bookstore

I love that every Starbucks we have been to is welcoming of my pups.  Moray thought he should have gotten some of my smoothie since his name was on it!

Studying and staying small

A few of the most important things Moray has been working on include keeping focused and not letting strangers' baby talk and outstretched hands distract him, calm greetings, practicing his new, more advanced commands in different settings, and just making outings fun and enjoyable for him.   

T, one of Moray's biggest admirers and a very special guy, who practices calm greeting every time we go to the grocery store.

A BIG stretch, but a good "Up," Moray!

Sometimes, progress seems to crawl so slowly I have to squint and really search for things he is getting better at, but I have no doubt that with lots and lots of practice, we'll reach perfection.

People watching from a "lap" command.

Good boy laying the right way next to my chair.

On an outing with fellow CCI pups Hardy and Young

Here We Go!

I took Dante on his first "official" outings today.  We headed to Office Depot first.  How could I forget to take pictures??

The Office Depot in my town is really quiet.  Like we were there for about ten minutes and we saw one other customer.  

When we got out of the car there was an UPS truck in front and a yappy little dog in a nearby car.  Dante was very distracted by this.  After a few minutes I decided just to take him in.  And as soon as we walk in the door, I had the best "check-ins" from Dante.  We walked around the near-empty store for less then ten minutes, and Dante did great.  He did bark once.  I am still not sure if it is a nervous thing or just his sassy-ness/boredom.  The manager came over and asked to pet Dante, and he did very well and held his "sit."  I am very thankful that Dante is getting such welcoming responses from different places around town!  


We then had to make a quick stop at Target.  My plan was to walk Dante in to the Pharmacy counter where my mom was, and then walk out with her.  Estimated time: about five minutes.  Just enough time to get the exposure, but short enough to leave on a sweet note.  


Overall, I have not been getting stopped with Dante as much as I first expected.  We usually get one or two people who actually stop us and ask (or not) to pet him.  We walked through with lots of "look at the puppy!"s but not a single person stopping us.  Until we reach the Pharmacy.


Dante was doing GREAT, like he had been there a thousand times.  As we approached the counter, there were two - to put it frankly - completely out of control kids.  The younger one looked about five or six and came over with outstretched arms yelling "I'm gonna give her a hug!"  I quickly put out my hand trying to keep him back while I said, "Wait a minute!"  By this time the older kid (seven or eight), and their Dad had turned to see what was going on.  I tried explained in the simplest manner I could that they had to wait until I said it was okay, all the while trying to keep this kid off my puppy.  


Being a teenager myself, I always feel awkward trying to correct people's kids, especially while their parents are present, but their dad had absolutely no control over them.  


I really should have turned and walked away without another word, but at the time, it didn't come to mind.  Dante sat, and they pet/hugged him.  


After a minute, Dante had had enough, and I knew it.  I looked at my mom, and we both knew that he was starting to get overwhelmed.  I knew that the only way we could stop was to leave, so we started to head for the door.  The smaller kid came running, trying to pet Dante, and with that I had had enough, and blocked his hand with mine and said "you cannot pet him," very firmly and with all the niceness I could muster.  


We found a bench outside and sat down.  I did not want to leave on a bad note, so I gave Dante some ice cubes and he was fine.  I decided that I would walk Dante in and out really quickly with lots of praise and treats so that he wouldn't have a negative association.  He trotted in like he owned the place, and I gave him a hug when we got to the car.  

Looking back, I should have hightailed it outta there before it started,  but we are both learning as we go.  


Dante really is handling his outing amazingly well.  He is very interested when we go out, but still listens very well.   He has never seemed overwhelmed by places, but I think I am going to say "no petting" when we are in new places, until he is completely comfortable there.  


Dante still does not settle very well, even at home, so we are going to keep our outing really, really short until he can do that better at home, and then work up to it at different places.  


So far this pup has amazed me at how smart he is, and how well he handles situations.  Even today, he recovered amazingly well, and we ended on a good note.  Oh, how I love this puppy!

Busy Weekend

 Dante and I have had an especially busy weekend these last two days.  


Yesterday, we went to a park where a "field day" was taking place for the elementary-aged kids, and my jump rope team was going to help and show the kids some stuff.  Dante came too, and did extremely well.  It lasted longer then intended, so Dante's lunch was about an-hour-and-a-half late, but he was a trooper.  He was tired, but he never got cranky.  I guess it's a good thing that he gets used to his schedule getting changed up. 


Dante is such an easy puppy to take out.  He loves to explore with you, but he also settles really well.  He spent a lot of time hanging out under a picnic table, and didn't even pay attention to spilled food.  He is also getting really good with his people-greeting, although he still tries to lick, he is great about checking in with me when he's getting pet.

Dante under a table ignoring some dropped cheese a foot from his head.

 
This morning Dante had puppy class.  I don't know why this is the first post about class, but I guess I forgot.  Dante has been doing really well, but when I got him up this morning I knew there was something off.  I think after such an exhausting day yesterday, he was just having an "off" day. 

Puppy class has been really good, and our trainer is great about understanding what we do differently.  But not being in a CCI specific class has been a little challenging.  Just trying to filter the information we're getting, and substituting the commands we use through what is different in how we are teaching Dante has been pretty mentally draining. 



My mom worked him for the first time during class today, and I was planning on getting some good pictures, but ended up getting some not-so-good pictures between the bad lighting, and helping "deal" with Dante. 

We start with play time.  Dante is always intrigued with this little puppy, and she stands her ground:

Dante, Scout and Max

Dante and Scout

After this, Dante spent some "quality time" trying to rub off his gentle leader:

Then it was on to working through the tunnel.  My mom lured him in.  He was not afraid, but he didn't know what he was supposed to do, so he turned around.  Then I got on the other end and called him through, and he was fine with that.

This was his fourth time through, and he did it like a pro!

After this, he did some good "sits" and "downs" even with temper tantrums thrown in throughout.

When we got home, Dante (and I) took a much-needed nap, then spent most of the afternoon outside with the family, playing fetch, practicing "here," running, and getting out his wiggles.  

Dante looking rather grown up and regal.  Taken by Rebecca.

The Happiest Place on Earth...

PETCO!  Okay, honestly I'm not a huge fan of pet stores because you never know what you're going to run into there.  But, the one near us is usually pretty quiet, and Dante just finished his shots last week, so I figured today would be a good time to bring him for the first time. 

Since this was Dante's first time inside any type of store, I wanted to keep it fun.  Not focusing on any commands, but just letting him explore. 

I wasn't really sure what to expect from him, so I was pretty amazed at how well he did.  He was very interested in all the smells and sights, but he never went crazy or seemed overwhelmed.  Even when we stopped to check things out, it was fairly easy to get his attention - if only for a few seconds. 

A few weeks ago during a frustrating moment with Dante, I made a deal with him (if you believe you can make deals with dogs (-; ), that if he would behave himself and listen to me then I would take him to pick out his own toys.  Dante held up his end of the deal, so he got to pick out a toy.  And wouldn't you know, it has a squeaker.  This dog loves his squeaky toys, and walks around so proudly whenever he has one!  I'll never forget the moment Dante first figured out his toys squeaked, and he hasn't stopped since!

My mom also found a bone-shaped Kong, and I think he will love that.

I thought that Dante would be hesitant to walk on this floor, but he loved it, and after walking and pawing it for a few seconds. he made himself right at home!

The fish only held his attention for a few seconds...

...But I think he wants to change his food.

Dante got to greet some people (and hopefully potential puppy-raisers)! 

It was almost impossible for him to hold a "sit" on the floor.

Dante LOVED these, and was trying to sniff all the way to the top!

 We ended up staying longer then I expected (talking to a trainer there, but that's a whole other story), but Dante settled really well and we left on a good note.  And now I have one pretty pooped puppy on my hands, and I think that means we had a successful outing!