Tiring Out the Puppies

Practicing "Heel"

Barbara was tired for this week's class, so she needed some extra coaxing to do some of the commands (little pieces of boiled chicken, a really high value treat). But even if she hadn't been tired, she seems to be settling down during class times a little more. She didn't bark once during class this week!

Why was she so tired? She played hard with her siblings and their friend Jean before class began:

(No Barbara in that photo, but it was too cute not to share!)

All photos by Carol Smalley

Working with Different Puppies

Me working with Jean

Baxter's raiser working with Barbara

Me and Barbara

Photos by Carol Smalley

All of the raisers had to swap puppies today during class so that we could get used to working with different dogs and the dogs could get used to working with different people.

Memorial Day Parade!

Photos by Carol Smalley

Barbara got to watch a parade tonight! She was very good and got exposed to a lot of different things.

Playing with Baxter

Barbara above, Baxter below.

Baxter in front, Barbara behind.

Barbara in front, Baxter behind.

Barbara on the left, Baxter on the right.

All photos by Carol Smalley.

They're both getting big! :) Barbara's still the more playful of the two pups. We don't have another class until June 7th, so we have two weeks to work on commands and socialization with Barbara.

Class with a New Pup

Practicing "Come"

Barbara (black collar), Blondie (blue collar), and new puppy Jean (the only black lab in our class right now)

Blondie (blue collar), Barbara (black collar), and Jean (black lab)

All photos by Carol Smalley

Class was held inside this week because the dogs need to be able to perform in all environments. We practiced "Come," "Sit," "Down," "Heel," "Stand," and a few other commands. Barbara hadn't been feeling well this week, so she wasn't on her best behavior for class, but she's feeling better now and we're working with her on all of her commands.

We have a new puppy in our region, Jean! She's a black lab that's almost a month younger than Barbara and her siblings. It's hard to believe that puppies can grow so fast in one month, but somehow they do!

Barbara Keeps Getting Bigger...

Photo by Judy Olson

Photos by Carol Smalley

Barbara is about 33 lbs. now. She's been going out for hikes a lot, and she gets a lot of complements whenever she's out about how well-behaved she is!

Barbara Goes to the Spa

Photos by Carol Smalley

Barbara went to the Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday and loved it. It was really hot and humid out, especially for May, so she got to play in the water there. Water is one of her favorite things!