Ahhh!

I love walking my boy!  In the last two weeks I have been able to start walking him again after breaking my ankle in June.  Oh, I forgot just how much I missed it.  Dante is such a great walker!  Today we walked the park where my sister and my jump rope team meets (still can't do that yet - hence D and I took a walk), and it was so refreshing.  

Dante loves, loves, loves his walks.  He is always so happy and well behaved - checking in with me every minute or two.

There were really cute book sculptures behind the library where we were.  We took some time to pose and practice a few of his commands.

He doesn't really know the "up" command yet, but I have practiced luring him up a few times.  He loves it as you can tell!

Good literature choice, D! (and nice "jump" and "sit" as well!)

And then there were the bestest ever benches to practice "under" and "jump" (albeit a little distracted!) on - nice and sturdy with solid footing for him!

We finished the park loop, stopping to do some "jumps" on this drain.

The closest to a head tilt I'm ever gonna get outta this boy :-)

We walked along the busier road some before stopping at the playground.  Dante sat nicely while I was on the swing set and then got to do his most favorite thing:

The dog LOVES the slide!  We then walked up on the playground.  I sat on one of the steps and Dante immediately jumped onto me in a "lap" and snuggle up against my shoulder.  it was the sweetest thing! And there was no way I could have corrected him for doing it off command.  We sat there for almost ten minutes snuggling.  Goodness, I'm gonna miss this little stinker! ;-)  My only request is that his forever person appreciates his stellar snuggling skills! :-)

These are my favorite times with Dante - just him and me with nobody stopping us to talk, and just having fun!

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.

Jump Rope

Every Friday morning I have jump rope practice.  I have been bringing Dante since he first came, but this week I finally remembered to bring my camera and my mom took some pictures.

While I'm practicing my mom handles Dante.  She will walk him outside some, and then bring him in to watch the second half.  Jump rope has been a really good place to bring Dante because it's pretty low key.  We meet in a church, and there aren't a lot of people there, so it is not overwhelming for him.  And he also gets to practice his greetings with people and kids who know the rules and are will to wait until he's behaving to greet him.  It also has been great for him to learn how to listen to younger kids, and this week he finally "sat" for one little girl!

Kind of dark, but Dante likes to watch whats going on.

This is what he's watching...

Being a good boy and playing with his kong.

Dante's favorite time: when everyone comes to pet and play with him.

I have been so amazed with how good Dante has been doing when I take him out.  I keep telling my mom I want to know who was Dante's breeder/caretaker, and what did they do to him?  He's not afraid of anything and he's sooo good!  I don't know what I'm going to do with puppy #2: I'm getting spoiled raising Dante.  ;-)