ATTENDANCE: Lucy JRT, Lily Cockerpoo, Molly Morkie, Bella Jackadoodle, Ivy Bedlington Terrier, Dexter Puggle, Sophie Shih Tzu, Lyla Ital Greyhound/Min Pin, Kaylee Westie, Pika Dachshund/Pekinese, Breezy Terrier Mix, Iko Golden.

PLEASE pick up a copy of the DWD School Rules brochure in the Customer Resource Area.  Thanks!

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OUR DAY:  Since we’re outside for most of the day in the warm weather, you’ll notice the progress reports shortening up for the summer!

NEW!  Lucy Jack Russell Terrier is having a truly fabulous first day of school!  She is just over 4 lbs but she’s got a big personality!  Her best pal so far is Ivy Rose, who has been so sweet to her.  And as I’m typing, I have Iko at my feet with Little Lucy tucked into his warm belly.  How cute is THAT?  Welcome, girl!!

Iko is having a great second week of school today.  He retained all of his new learning from last week and I can totally tell that he “gets” the whole idea of “off” because he clearly stops himself and sits in front of me at the last moment, rather than jumping up.  What’s not to love???  He’s working on voice control and self-control when the kibble snack rolls around.  He and Ivy both jump like banshis (do banshis jump?) in their excitement.  They’re learning....

Molly is exhibiting more self-control each week.  She knows what’s expected.  Sometimes she can accomplish it; other times, she’s just too excited to contain herself.  A work in progress, understandably.  She is also “alert barking” and growling at noises and perceived sites.  I say “perceived” because she was growling at my school bag that was hanging on the fence.  From far away, it must’ve looked ominous to her!!

Lucy JRT is beginning to let go of her whining as the hours tick away.  She’d been whining when there was any break in the action, wanting to be picked up by me.  She would automatically switch into “whine and paw” whenever she got close to me.  It’s incredibly important for Lucy to have all four paws on the ground as much as possible.  This will help her develop confidence and independence.  As much as we humans would like to carry our small puppies around and have them sit in our laps, this is detrimental to them during this time of early socialization.  A mother dog does not pick up her pups and carry them around unless she senses danger and needs to move them by carrying them by the scruff of the neck.  We humans inadvertently “teach” our pups to beg to be picked up because we reinforce the behavior.  Pup whines and paws at our feet and we pick him/her up = we just reinforced the pup for whining/pawing = we are sure to see MORE whining and pawing.  Seeing Lucy make a choice to try cuddling up with a playmate is a great sign!!

I’ve also not allowed Lucy to sleep under my computer desk.  I actually don’t let ANY puppy do this.  They chew the cords to your computer, not good.  They often end up “guarding” that space as “theirs,” also not good.  Lucy growled and lunged when another dog approached just to sniff around under there.  I quickly moved her out of that area and have not let her settle in there again.  Now, she’s choosing to get to know her new classmates instead of isolating herself!  Yay, Miss Lucy!!  She’s awesome...

Bella JD and Lily CP have been great together again today.  It’s amazing to see Bella pushing boundaries with a dog she trusts.  How long has THIS taken to develop?  I love seeing her being confident and happy like this!  Lily loves her, too, as do Molly and Sophie and Ivy.  Someone asked me this morning if dogs “know” their own breed.  This group of fluffy girls is an example that they might not exactly know their own breed, but they DO gravitate toward other dogs who “feel” like a littermate.  Short coats gravitate toward each other.  Those with pushed in noses seem to enjoy playing together, etc.  I’m told that this harkens back to their early experience in the litter.

Dexter seems BIG today, which is a riot, isn’t it?  He will move to the Tuesday Pack in a couple of weeks, if that’s good with his parents’ schedules.  He needs to grow a bit more and then he’ll totally love romping with the wilder/bigger pups on Tuesdays!  Today, his best pals are Pika and Lyla.  He gives these two a run for their money for sure!  But they are both great “teachers” for Dexter, as they give him feedback when he’s too rough or bitey with them.  Yay!  They are all working on “no bark” during wild play, especially Dexter.

Breezy, too, is working on “no bark” here and there.  She is truly loving school now and forgets all about worrying about her kids at home or making sure she knows where I’m at.  Lovely!

We’re having a fabulous puppy day here, folks!  So much great learning going on.  I’m so proud of this class and their progress.  They’ve been so good to little Lucy today, too!    Yippee!!