BUSY WEEK...OH MY!

Patriot has been to small coffee shops and outdoor cafes before, so this week was his first visit to a large restaurant.  It was a buffet with wonderful aromas, along with many people moving about.  He did pretty good, he occasionally had to be reminded what he was suppose to be doing, but I think he did well for a fifteen week old puppy.

Saturday, Feb.19, 2011   Our obedience class outing was held at the Sanford Mall, we practiced using elevators, stairs, and our under/downs at the food court. Patriot did fairly well most of the obedient exercise and then for whatever reason, he lost his focus.....Dr. Jekyll appeared!  Patriot wanted no part of his leash or the exercises, he acted the same way when the area coordinator took control of his leash.  I am making a concerted effort to watch what triggers this behavior.  At fifteen weeks it could be his age, attention span, distractions, thirst (he was panting) or just plain tired and cranky and not wanting to take orders! How is it that a puppy can be soooooo good and also soooooo ornery?



Puppy Kisses



Some of the family were in visiting for the weekend, it was their first time meeting Patriot, I think they were amazed how good he behaved. It was love at first sight between Patriot and our granddaughter Abby.



Playing Hold & Give



Monday, Feb.21, 2011  Time for Patriot's Vet appointment with Dr. David Gunderson of Lake Square Animal Hospital in Leesburg, Florida.   Patriot weighed in at 37 pounds, all of his final vaccinations were given and he is now "street legal"   Dr. "G" said Patriot is a normal healthy puppy who is teething and is experience the terrible twos.



Dr."G", his assistant & Patriot



 Wednesday, Feb.23, 2011  Patriot's first visit to Publix grocery store and Mulberry Shopping Mall.  He showed no fear of the shopping carts, or traffic.  We took time to just sit on a bench and observe the surroundings.  He did well!

Thursday, Feb.24, 2011  Took Patriot on the golf cart to a nearby pond, we watched while people were feeding the ducks and birds.  He was very observant and interested, but, he held his sit/stay.

"GOOD DOG"....pat pat

Went on to Ace Hardware, he did well (short in & out, floors were very slippery) then off to Crispers for lunch.

Under/down at Crispers

Someone's tired so it's home for a nap.  Later this evening our golf group, (16 couples and 1 black Labrador) will be dinning at Red Lobster :) this should be fun!

"STRICKLY PUPPY"

The following photos are of Patriot hanging out at home and taking time to be a puppy.

Patriot at 9 weeks and 17 lbs



Patriot at 14 weeks

See how I grow...32 pounds

 Such a handsome pup!

Checking himself out in the mirror

Patriot rings his bells when he needs to go outside.

"GOOD DOG" ....pat pat

Likes to play hunting dog

Multi tasking:

Sunbathing & Gecko guarding

When we attend obedience class, Patriot has a Jekyll & Hyde streak, the last two classes, Dr Hyde has been in attendance  :(

Following photos are from the Feb. 11, 2011 obedience class

The youngest puppies of the class were let off leash in a enclosed tennis court.  It was interesting watching the interaction, Patriot has a dominant personality. I think my work is cut out for me....... hummmmmm

 Patriot

Patriot, Clem and Shirley 

Clem & Shirley playing in a puddle

4-H RANCH

Saturday we held our obedience class at Triple Diamond Ranch, it's a 4-H ranch located in Eustis, Florida.  The dogs had the opportunity to get up close to one of the horses named Hickory.

Patriot checking out Hickory. Hickory is being held by Amanda, one of our puppy raisers, who also volunteers at the ranch.

Jocelyn, Amanda and Archie

It was not Patriot's or my best obedience class!  He was very distracted by every acorn, leaf or clump of Spanish moss, and I in turn lost my focus.  Training with a guide dog puppy is like learning a whole new language. I found myself reverting back to using words(commands) that I used in training my personal pets, instead of using guide dog commands.  Trying to end this session on a positive note, I realized it can only get better!

Looking forward to our walk in the morning.

Recess

 Class is tiring

"SHORT AND SWEET"

Saturday the 29th, was the first time the dogs and their handlers were tested to see how they were progressing. Our AC (area coordinator) Jocelyn Hargrove and her obedience assistants, Carl, Betty, and Peggy were very informative with their suggestions, and helpful with their demonstrations. I came away from the class knowing I need to concentrate on giving a command only "ONCE" then if needed, to follow through with a correction.  Keep the command "short and sweet" don't use a sentence when a word or two are more affective.

All ages and levels of dogs together

Spring Valley park, Altamonte Springs, FL

Three youngest dogs in their class, Patriot, Clem, and Shirley

Betty and Peggy instructing the class

Carl's group being instructed in the shade

A much needed recess for the little ones

Patriot, practicing a down stay

Patriot, a walk out on the dock

Patriot, comfortable with his surroundings

Later in the day, Patriot had his first meet and greet the public.  Bill Brown of The Villages, Orange Blossom Lions Club ask if Patriot could participate in their annual "White Cane Day."  The Lions Club's many fund raising activities help support the Southeastern Guide Dogs mission to partner a visually impaired individual and a guide dog.

Bill Brown of the Lions Club, Patriot, and Bonnie

at Spanish Springs in The Villages, FL



It was a good experience for Patriot!  The traffic noise did not seem to effect him, he was confident, no shyness and he really liked the children :)

"GOOD DOG"  pat.....pat

SEGDI PHOTO

Patriot's offical Southeaster Guide Dog photo taken at 6 weeks

It's been a busy couple of days, Patriot went to the Vets for his 12 week vaccinations. Dr. David Gunderson of Lake Square Animal Hospital in Leesburg, was pleased with his overall condition.  At 12 weeks he now weighs 25.7 lbs and growing, what a handsome pup he is, along with such a great disposition to boot!

On our way home from the Vet's we stopped for lunch at a small restaurant.  Patriot did well, his leash issues are improving.....baby steps.  :)

Putting into practice his down/stay



Tuesdays outing consisted of a visit to Lake Sumter Landing.  We took the handicap ramp down to the wooden walkway along the lake.  Patriot was very curious about everything.  On our way back up we took the stairs, he managed nicely.  Next a walk around the Village's square, stopping at Starbuck's where Patriot was an immediate hit, we were made to feel welcome and invited to come back anytime.

The weather turned bad, so we headed for home, made it before the thunder and lighting started.  We observed Patriot during the storm, he did not over react and that is a good thing! 

"GOOD DOG" pat.....pat

Patriot's Harley colors, a gift from one of his biggest fans





RUB-A-DUB-DUB

Patriot had his first bath today, it was an experience for both of us!  He "did not" care for the hand held sprayer, so I reverted to wetting him down with a pitcher of water, also rinsing him off the same way. Using the hand held sprayer is something we'll gradually work into using baby steps or should I say puppy steps.

Overall I think he liked the experience, he reminded me of a wet baby seal.

He did enjoy the towel dry after the bath, but the hair dryer on low he wasn't quite sure of.  At this point, grabbing the end of the toilet paper in his mouth he escaped from the bathroom and proceeded to rip roar through the house.  What a clown!

Brushing his teeth, now that's another story, he reluctantly submitted to the process.  Thank goodness for tie downs or he would have been out of there!  The toothpaste is made especially for dogs and claims to have a chicken flavor, Patriot wasn't buying it.  Sooo I tasted it myself..........I wouldn't buy it either!

Tonight is ear cleaning, the thought of this cause visions of havoc to pass before my eyes! 



ISSUES

Patriot at 9 weeks old

Patriot  12 weeks and growing

We've been working on our "issues" of leash management, Patriot has yet to comprehend that I am the leash manager.  I'm looking forward to the time we take a nice long walk with no tension on the leash.

  We've been working on many exercises this week, such as walking on different type surfaces.  So far we've done smooth, metal grates, gravel, wood, and rain puddles.  Rain puddles were the most entertaining, he excels at rain puddles! We took a walk in the rain, Patriot didn't mind getting his feet wet, just wanted to lick the man hole covers.

Practicing his "under down"

"GOOD DOG"