So Phoenix is definitely one smart cookie. Just this week she passed her Novice Trick Dog Title and became on of the youngest to have ever done this - at 7 weeks! To do this she needed to demonstrate she could do 15 tricks from the Easy list in front of a witness with no more than half needing to be lured still.
She did:
Sit
Down
Come
Stand
Touch (Hand)
Chase Lure
Puppy Push Ups
Follow Finger
Ramp
Thank You (Drop It)
Fetch
Head Tilt
Jump Over Bar
Kisses
Paws Up
Table (Pedestal)
Wobble Board
But she is also showing a more independent side now as well as a bit more of the Hound type personality comes through.
She is proving to be good with all sorts of dogs and people and training with her is a joy! Plus she LOVES to play!
At any given time, we will have 7-8 permanent residents, 2-3 boarders and 1-2 foster dogs. We do this because we can, we have the space and the time and because I have wanted to help dogs since I can remember.
I know I can't save them all...and I know I am making but a small difference in the overall scheme of things - but you know, that drop in the bucket most definitely ripples out to other things.
We help these dogs have a better life, learn new skills that keep them out of shelters and in homes and they in turn they help their owners have a better life...and sometimes they go on to help other people have a better life by doing therapy or assistance work.
Anytime I think - why am I doing this again - I remember dogs that just need a second chance like Luka and those that are tossed aside like Paige. Not all rescues are horror stories but all the dogs rescued need a better life...and I love being a part of that.
Paige is doing beautifully. She and Phoenix have paired up like long lost siblings even though at Paige is at least a month older. They are most often seen by each others sides - very cute.
Paige is taking a note from Phe and is becoming more confident and steady every day. We just took all the guys out to the lake - even though the water was freezing cold and Paige had a blast!
Phoenix has been doing so well...she has met tons of people to ensure her socialization is where it should be, has played with several of the dogs in my classes - both large and small and is really developing into a confident and bright pup...
Sophia Yin recently released an article that I think sums up my feelings on how important it is to get your pup out and about in a safe way. Sequestering them until they are 4-6 months old will not only make it harder for them to relate to people and other dogs but greatly increases the chances of them having fear based issues in the future...
Here are a few highlights of the past few weeks!
Welcome back!! I hope your holiday season was all you wanted and more. Sorry for the delay in updating...after everyone returned from their holidays and all of our Board & Trains went home - Jinx, Blizzard, Sophie and Ellie - I took a break and headed up to see some friends for the new year and visit my Step-mom in VA.
It can be hard to get away at times and this was just the trip I needed. I was looking forward to some well earned R&R.
But then, just as I was heading out - I got confirmation about some pups that I had been checking on for a while. A momma dog had wandered onto a ladies property pregnant and had delivered a litter of 8 pups. The lady took her and the pups inside, made her comfortable and began looking for a placement for them all.
Mom looks like a Pointer mix to me and Dad is unknown, but there are 2 red merle, 2 blue merle and 2 with bobbed tails which means that Dad must have had some Aussie in there somewhere.
And you know how I am about Aussie mixes, so when she said she needed some help with the litter, I was delighted to help!
Like the J's - this little one has come to me to finish weaning at only 3 weeks old. I picked up our newest member on my way through to VA and from Day 1 she has made an impact. The timing worked well as I had all this time off to dedicate to her and make sure she was off to a great start.
She is a darling little thing and I really look forward to watching her grow!
