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

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.  ;-)

Thoughts from a First-Timer

It's amazing what you learn about people with a puppy by your side.  Most people are really nice and have good questions about the "seeing eye puppy," (surprisingly, I've only gotten that a few times) and I gladly tell them about service dogs and CCI!

But there are some people I will never understand.  I have met people, who, when I tell them Dante has to sit before being petted, start yelling "Sit, sit, sit!"  Thanks for your concern, but I am quite capable of getting my dog to sit.  I try to be a good ambassador of myself and CCI, but we have rules that pet dogs don't have to follow.  If he is having a hard time focusing, and is jumping up, he can't meet people.  Most understand, but some look at me like I just insulted them.  Don't get me wrong, I love to talk to people and let them meet Dante, but in the end, he is here to work for me.

We haven't been inside any public places, but even just walking, or in parking lots, etc., we get stares and surprised looks.  That doesn't bother me at all.  But I don't know if I'll ever get used to some of the comments.  Like the lady who drove by us: Yes, I know how cute my puppy is without you yelling it out your window as you drive by!  She didn't even sound sweet, like really yelling.  Or the grown man who was making kissing noises at him.  Really!?!?!?  What am I supposed to say to that?? 

Dante doing a great "sit" - and staying - in the Walmart parking lot.  (This 

is also his "goofy sit" with both legs off to one side)

My favorite comment I have heard thus far, wasn't even directed at me, it was just said by a passerby-er: "Look, ______, it's a super dog!"  Yes, Dante, you're going to be a super dog alright!