The Scary Steps I Must Learn To Take!

My training continues - everyday I'm either working on something new or continuing my quest to master a certain technique.

While I continue to work on the everyday stuff like; sit, lay-overs, go to bed, loose leash walking etc. there is always something new.
That new thing is the "BIG BAD SCARY STEPS!"  Ahhh!!  It looks like I'm about to step off a cliff and tumble to my doom!  The Grandma started working with me, telling me I'm fine and it's not as scary as it looks.  She even put my breakfast on the steps!

After some major pep talking from The Grandma, I DID IT!  You can't see me because I am so excited and I can't stop moving!!

On another note - The Girl and The Boy stayed for several days over Spring Break with The Grandma and The Grandpa.  I was in HEAVEN at bedtime!  The Girl and The Boy had the most comfy beds laid out on the floor.  The Goof Ball Shaker and I got to snuggle with them until it was time for me to go into my crate.

I have my next vet appointment tomorrow.  I get my next round of shots.  Sounds like soon I will get to start going out into the World and show off my AWESOME-ness!

Here's hoping tomorrow's appointment goes as well as the last!

Wish me luck!

Truckee (15 & a half weeks old)

With a Bawk, Bawk here and a Bawk, bawk there!

Here a bawk, there a bawk, everywhere a bawk, bawk!
THE GRANDMA GOT CHICKENS!!
She calls them her "girls"!  I've only been up close and personal a time or two but they are SO interesting!

The above photo is when they arrived to The Grandma's house.  They are now is this "hen" house that looks like so much fun!  It has ladders and two levels and an entire area they can "cluck" around in.  I'm told that I can't hang out or play with "The Ladies" which I think is a big bummer!

I spent the weekend with my other family again.  They seem to be super amazed by me and all my wonderfulness!  The mom thinks it's so great how I now know that when I go outside to do my "business" I just do my "business"!  She says it's like clock work or the "easy" button.  Not sure what she means by that but I'm guessing it's good!

I got my teeth brushed while I was there, I worked on "go to bed" and "loose leash walking".  I am also working on going up stairs but not going down yet.

The cat and I still haven't worked out an understanding but she came around a lot more this past weekend.  She really is uptight with me and should learn to relax and enjoy my presence, I mean everyone else does!

The Mom says sorry for not taking more pictures this weekend, she was being lazy!

I get to go to a puppy meeting this Wednesday and I hear there is a new puppy joining our Club!  I can't wait to meet him!

Until my next post, wish me luck!

Truckee (15 weeks)

Gentle Leader...Really?

I'm with my weekend family again.  They are doing much better with me.  Last weekend I had a couple potty accidents in the house.  The mom talked to the Grandma and turns out she wasn't taking me out to do my "business" as often as she should.

The whole point is getting me to succeed with my potty training, not to fail by having accidents in the house.  The mom now takes me out to piddle about every 20 minutes or so.  I haven't had any accidents at all this weekend!  Yay for the mom!

They've been working with me on some of my training which includes "go to bed".  They don't say "go to bed" right now.  They are teaching me to recognize the blanket and when I touch it, step on it, sit on it etc. they say "NICE" and give me a piece of kibble.

They also have been working with me on my "come" command.  The girl would be in the hallway and the mom would be in the living room.  One would call "TRUCKEE COME!" and I would go to whoever called me.  That was a fun lil' training session!

The Mom, the girl and the Grandma went out to see a Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony on Saturday.  I couldn't go since I'm not old enough yet. The mom is such a cry baby that before she left the house she had to make sure she had tissue!  I guess one of my brothers was out there and they got to meet him.  His name is Tumba (sp) and he's a black lab, the mom showed me a picture of him.

The cat came around more this weekend than last.  She still isn't as nice as Cooper, and I just can't understand why she doesn't like me.  I mean I'm *ME* how can she not like ME!  She came closer and I just want to sniff her like I do Cooper but she was NOT going to let that happen!  Maybe next weekend it will be better.  Paws crossed!

The mom and the girl wanted to take some pictures of me in my gear.  Let me tell you, they are not as good as The Grandma when it comes to putting my gear on, or for that matter, they aren't as good with most everything!  Anyhow, they put the gear on me and I am not a fan of the "gentle leader"  I guess I'm just going to have to get used to this thing... "Gentle Leader"  REALLY?

Well, I go back to The Grandma's house in a lil' bit.  The girl has a friend over and I overhead them talking that they wanted to dress me up.  I will give The Mom my most desperate, cute, puppy dog begging eyes, in hopes she will save me from that type of torture!

Wish me luck!

Truckee

My Other Family

I finally got to spend the weekend with my other family.  The mom, the girl and the boy AND the cat!

My first night I didn't have much time to play since we got to my other home late.  They have a really nice, comfy bed for me and I was so tired I just went and curled up on it.

Shortly after we got to my other home I got to cuddle with my other family for a little bit.  After awhile the mom said it was time for bed.  The girl had a chat with me about not crying in my crate or having an accident in my crate.  Mostly because apparently if the Mom doesn't get good sleep then she won't want to make the boy or girl a yummy breakfast!

I woke up and needed to go out to potty around 1:30am.  The mom got up and took me out, I piddled in the rain and then came back inside.  I was so tired I went straight to my comfy bed and curled up.  The mom felt sorry for me and apologized for having to pick me up and put me in my crate instead of staying on my comfy bed.

I woke up for good about 5:30am and I got to eat breakfast and go outside to do my "business."  Once I was done with that the mom HAD to have her cup of coffee.  She came and sat down next to me to have her morning cup of "Joe" as she calls it.  I think she thought it would be peaceful but I was ready to play.  She said I ruined the cute photo she was trying to take when instead I decided to get up close and personal.

Finally the boy got up and let me have some play time!  We got to play "Tug" which is one of my favorite things to do!

So did I mention "The CAT?"  So this cat isn't as big as Cooper but this cat isn't as friendly as Cooper either.  I hardly saw her.  She would sneak into the room I was in and then she would climb and walk all the pieces of furniture as her route to get to the mom.  I heard the mom talking to the cat, her name is Callie, sounds like Callie loves the mom A LOT and was very lonely not being able to be with her while I was there.  The mom told Callie she's just going to have to get used to it and that I will be nice to her.  Look at her!! Doesn't she look SCARY?  She has eyes that GLOW!  FREAKY!

I liked being with them, I get to go back in a couple of days and I can't wait!

On a side note - D-R-E-A-R-Y Oregon got some sunshine this week!!  It felt like my days back in Sunny CAL-I-FOR-NI-A!  It felt so good I took a nap in it!

Until my next post - Wish me Luck!

Truckee (13 weeks old)

So many hands!

I got to go visit the girl at school today!  The Grandma and I were "Mystery Readers" for Everyone Reads Day at her school.  The Grandma brought me along and read a book about Guide Dogs.

 The girl was super excited and proud to show me off to all of her 4th grade classmates!  I think it must have been pretty special for the Grandma and I to come to the girls class!

When I came into the classroom there were so many kids!  Kids everywhere!  All the little hands got a chance to pet me while I was visiting.

On a side note - Amy, The mom, came to read to the girls class too, but turns out the mom wasn't as cool and special as the Grandma and I.  I think it had something to do with me coming along.  Next time the mom should consider bringing me with her!

Tonight I have another Guide Dog meeting with our club, I'm looking forward to seeing all my "Peeps" and working on some of my training!

Wish me luck!

Truckee

Talking bird say what?!?!

So yesterday I had my vet appointment.  The Grandma and Amy and Chael took me.  The big, fat cat, Cooper also came along.  I guess Cooper had to get an exam and a shot too, ha, ha!  Cooper was in this box thing that has duct tape all around it.  I'm guessing it's all taped up because Cooper weighs so much and they don't want him falling out the bottom!

So on the ride there Cooper was not happy and kept "MEOWING"!   It was so annoying!

I kept trying to get to the fur I could see sticking out of the holes!  

So we get there and all of us go walking through the door and this WEIRD voice comes from out of nowhere "HELLO".  I'm all like, what?, huh?, who?  And I hear it again "HELLO" and I spot it!
This crazy bird is sitting on the outside of it's cage...TALKING!  I'M LIKE "TALKING BIRD SAY WHAT?!!"  His name is Arnie and he kept crawling all over the outside of his cage saying "HELLO" and "BYE-BYE"

I think the bird was mocking me, knowing I was about to go into the room where they give shots!!

Just as I got comfortable in the waiting room, listening to Arnie mock me, they called me and the fat cat back to the room.  This lady came in and weighed both of us.  Turns out, I now weigh more than the big guy.  19lbs!

Dr. Andrews came in and I met him for the first time.  He seems like a pretty cool guy and he was pretty impressed with me and my behavior, but then again I'm *ME* so, ya!

He did all sorts of things, like...

Looking in my mouth.

Listening to my heart.

and giving me... THE SHOT!

Turns out it didn't hurt at all and I was fine.  The Fat Cat and I did a great job at our appointment!!  We got along, we were brave, and most of all, very cute!

The appointment took forever and I was "dog" tired from being on my best behavior.

I get to go visit the girls 4th grade class to be a "Mystery Reader" tomorrow.  Wish me Luck!

Truckee