ATTENDANCE: 14 today.  Dexter is being neutered today and will rejoin us next week.  Present:  Charlie Yellow Lab, Stella Bulldog, Bruce Mix, Juicy Doberman/Boxer, Lily Aussie, Lucy Choc Doodle, Anabelle Sheltie, Emmie Golden Doodle, Eden Schnauzer, Cullen Schnauzer, Max Golden Retriever, Gemma Cocker Spaniel, Freddie Boston Terrier and Cooper Labradoodle.

DWD will be CLOSED for the week of August 22-29.  School reopens on August 29 for the Monday class.  School will also be CLOSED for the 4th of July Holiday on Monday July 5 (observed) and for Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 6.

NOW OFFERING....Copies of up to 200 of your dog’s best images at play at DWD, including solo shots as well as group shots and action shots!!  Sign up if you’re interested and a photo album containing your pup’s shots will be put together for you to view on the big screen of my 27” iMac.  CD’s will be $100 each and will contain up to 200 photos for you to download on your computer and use in your own calendars, cards, photo books and prints.  You get to VIEW BEFORE YOU BUY!

OUR DAY:  A gray, foggy start to our day, but the sun came out around 11 and there’s a nice breeze as well!  We’re loving it.

WELCOME to our two new students today....Charlie is a bruiser of a Yellow Lab.  He’s 11 weeks old.  Max is a fun and busy Golden Retriever of about 14 or 15 weeks of age.

Charlie has been going non-stop since he set foot in the school this morning!  Actually...he has gotten tired a couple of times and has napped along side me as I sat in a corner of the sandbox supervising the digging.  Charlie is a typical Lab...into everything like a bull in a china shop.  He simply can’t leave the water bowl alone...he MUST paddle it in, flip it over and generally make a game out of it.  So...I filled the wading pool and got rid of the water bowl for a while.  Much better!  Charlie and Stella are a perfect match for play and they just love each other.  Stella is the same size as Charlie and she can handle his enthusiastic play style.  Once in a while, they get mad at each other, but it doesn’t last long.  Good to have a Lab in the class again!

Max has been having a blast as well.  He, like Charlie, paddles in the water bowl so we are sticking with the wading pool for water supply for a bit.  We’re in the lower yard right now, so I’ve put out a smaller, heavy ceramic bowl for drinking and so far, so good.  We’ll see how long that lasts...  Max and Emmie have found each other and are developing a very nice bond.  They “get” each other’s play style and clearly enjoy romping together in any location in the yard!  We just “graduated” Scout Golden last week so the pups haven’t missed a week w/o a Golden to play with.  Next week, Iko Golden will be moving up from the Tiny Tots class, so there’ll be double fun!!

Bruce has played better this week than last, for five solid hours!  This is great to see.  She’s making steady progress.  It’s only since noon (about 15 minutes now) that she’s begun to whine and bark a bit.  It’s clearly because she’s tired and doesn’t quite know how to comfort herself and settle down for a rest.  I’m wondering if there’s anything more I can do for her when this happens.  Does she have a special sleeping place at home that I might replicate here?  I will bring out a comfy dog bed for her to see if that helps.  She prefers to bask in the sun, so I will put it out where she likes to lie down...  I think she’ll be fine for the remainder of the day, especially if she can get picked up on the early side, depending on Mommy’s work schedule.  Each week, she goes longer and longer w/o getting whiny, so we’re making great progress, and her play is so much freer and more joyful.  She has been SO CUTE with the two new pups.  She’s been looking after them all morning.  They clearly see her as a Mommy figure.  Bruce also really loves Juicy and she has come to enjoy Cooper today as well.  She and Cooper played a ton, lots of wrestling, this morning.  Bruce watches Juicy play with Gemma and she barks if she thinks Gemma is being too rough with Juicy.  Is this not adorable??!!

The Doodle Gals are filthy.  They can’t help it!!  They go from pool to sandbox to pool to sandbox.  It’s ridiculous!  I’ve changed the water in their “tub” three times already.  Lily is the same way.  Oh, well....sand is cheap and these gals are having such a fabulous time!!  I’m thinking, though, that short haircuts would be great for the Doodles this summer or they’ll be wet and matted all the time!

Early morning is such a WILD time here with the Tuesday Gang.  They are so busy and they run so fast, clearly enjoying chasing each other for hours!  Cooper loves to lead the chase and the gals are happy to chase him.  Freddie is the Boy with the Toy....always carrying this or that toy in his mouth and trying to get his pals to wrestle and chase him for it.  They are happy to do so!

My Schnauzer buddies are also a mess.  Digging is their favorite thing and they stay in the sandbox all morning.  Fred hangs with them a lot and they all seem to enjoy each other’s company so much!  Occasionally, Eden or Cullen get “bossy” with the younger pack members.  Such a Schnauzer thing to do!!

Freddie and Lily and Bruce have all been working on “no bark” today.  Emmie, too.  It’s all play barking and chase-barking.  Nothing too serious but it’s good to work on voice control.  Fred often ignores me, but once I use the squirt bottle, he totally obeys.

Juicy has been teaching Stella that playing with a bigger dog is a good thing...and that she doesn’t have to be growly/barky/bitey and dominant.  Juicy is a good teacher!  She’s also the biggest dog in this class all of the sudden!  Wow!  She’s playing safely today, so I’m not setting a graduation date for her....but I know it’s gonna be coming.  She’s pooped now, after a very busy morning with Anabelle and Gemma and Juicy and Stella too!!

Gemma just loves DWD.  She was the most cautious, timid gal when I first met her. Now, she is totally independent, happy and confident.  I just LOVE what puppy school has done for her.  This opportunity to play together is so essential for your pups, and I thank you SO MUCH for allowing them to be with me.  The skills they are developing and the tolerance for other dogs will last a lifetime.  It’s just amazing to watch their personalities shape up through play and safe interaction.  After four years of business, I feel SO GOOD about all the pups who’ve gotten to socialize and become comfortable with other dogs here!

Okay....back to the pack.  If I’ve not given enough info about your pup, please feel free to email me with specific questions and I’ll write you a small novel when I have a free moment!

ENJOY the long weekend coming up for 4th of July!!