Bolt is thoroughly enjoying his new freedom to play with the other dogs. He's getting so much exercise that I've had to increase his food to 2.25 cups twice per day. That's a lot of food! Plus he earns lots of treats while working. His favorite game is fetch. We are using the exercises he learned while in Florida last February at Hunting Dog School. He is very enthusiastic and reliable.

Each morning he "helps" me with the cleaning chores prior to feeding time. He's quick to point out a toy that hasn't been put up. Bolt usually wants to keep the toy for himself so we have to barter.

He was very excited when he received his holiday smoked beef shank bone. (See pic below where he's chewing on it half on his bed)

Daisy Mae is ahead of the learning curve. We have already started distance work with the leash dropped. Daisy heels beautifully, great sit/stays, pretty good down/stays and very nice recalls with a finish. Most of the time she's very attentive. She even performed a sit/stay with the leash dropped when she saw my horses. See pics below.

Daisy is jumping on me far less, hardly mouthing, but does get snippy with some of the other dogs so I must keep her separated from them as she's overbearing.

11/28/09
Today we heeled and performed everything with the leash dropped! It was tough because of the wind and my horses running around distracting her, but she really enjoys the work. If her human companions wished, Daisy Mae could be a great animal actor. She has the outgoing personality, looks and intelligence, as well as long attention span.

Abby Shotwell is a Silky Terrier. She's super sweet and gets along with most of the other dogs, except Daisy Mae. Somehow the two of them irritate each others so I'm keeping them separated. Abby loves being with Chipper and Keno. She also likes lots of attention and will jump up a lot demanding it. For the most part she remains nearby and is easy to manage.

Abby thoroughly enjoyed her Thanksgiving day breakfast. I've never seen her eat so quickly. I believe I'll put a little canned food on her kibble every meal. I bet she'll put on a pound or two, which she needs right now.

We are working on her jumping up issue which is really annoying. So far, I've taught her to not try to race through the doorway as well as to sit for her goodnight cookie. She would be far easier to live with if she had some obedience training!

Chipper and Keno Gantt, my regulars, are having fun with all the other dogs. They so love to play with everyone and they're happy to share their suite with Abby Shotwell. The boys are still jumping up on me, so it's a constant redirection whenever we greet.

The boys are performing much better now. Today I was able to walk completely around both of them. I did have to target closely with Keno, but Chipper performed both the sit and down stays without close targeting and from up to 6' distant.
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Keno arrived with an ear infection. He receives ear meds twice per day and I can no longer see the black gunk inside. He's not really pleased with the cleaning procedure though.

Milo has made some headway, though he has a short attention span. I had to begin using the Comfort Trainer head halter because the Easy Walk just wasn't sufficient in teaching him to pay attention. Milo acclimated to the training tool very quickly. He's now heeling much better and can perform sit/stays as I move around him. This morning we began working on the down and Finish. His recalls are also pretty good. Distractions are a big issue as everything grabs his attention. Even going from the stone surface to the grass is a biggie.

 Milo is getting along with all the other dogs and enjoying their dog games all over the puppy playground. He's eating a little too well so I cut back on his kibble a bit. He did enjoy his Thanksgiving day breakfast though. And has continually enjoyed chewing on his smoked beef shank bone.

Ruby is here for Thanksgiving and scheduled for the year end holidays as well. Though there are many dogs here right now she doesn't seem too overwhelmed. In fact, she's having lots of fun with Mandy Reitsma and Milo Isaacs. They race around the puppy playground.

Though she normally doesn't eat very well, she totally scarfed up her Thanksgiving breakfast and is now coming to me asking for treats and attention, which is quite an improvement for her as she's usually very shy and independent.

Mandy Reitsma is a lab/Gt. Dane mix. She's extremely sweet and easy to care for. She's a little worried about going through the doggy door, so I hold it open for her to pass through. I love the fact that Mandy won't jump on me, mouth or show anything other than good manners. With all the dogs here right now that's a breath of fresh air.

She quickly acclimated to the Comfort Trainer and we worked on heel, sit/stay, down/stay and recalls. She's pretty good, but does need lots of work on her stays.

Mandy is having a blast with the other dogs. She's great with everyone.