Day 93

Last night, Eli and I played in the kitchen.  I nipped his hand a bit - it was an accident, I swear!  Eli is upset with Abram because Abram loves me most of all, among the animals of our house.  Muffin is Eli's favorite, and Hemi is Peter's.  Mom loves us all equally, and she says that there is enough love in the house for all of us.  I agree!

Day 92

Archer got his first report card from Guide Dog School.  It appears he is an "A" student!  In honor of Archer's success, I am chewing the Kong toy he left behind.  Thanks, Archer!  We love you!

TRAINING REPORT - PHASE ONE

Archer is a sweet and spunky boy who is highly food motivated.  Archer is starting to learn the basic skills that will lead to becoming a guide dog.  He did very well with his targeting skills on grounds.  He also did well transitioning from the soft handled harness to the regular harness.  The evaluator wrote that he is a bright, eager and willing male that has a lot of natural drive.  Archer did very well on his first trips in town and picked up on the curbs very quickly.  Archer shows a lower level of distraction around other animals and is easily managed by voice and light leash cues.  Archer has nice drive and likes to move out at a faster pace.  If he wants to continue at this faster pace, he will have to be extremely accurate with his curbs and obstacles.  This is something that we will continue to watch as his training progresses.  Archer loves to play out in the community run; he can usually be found hiding out chewing his Nylabone in the tube.  He also likes to chase some of the girls around.  Archer lives with Kelsey, a black male Labrador. Archer is a pleasure to work with and I am looking forward to seeing how he progresses as we move on to the next stage of training.

Day 91

Yesterday, after I made friends with the Clydesdales, I got to play in the Long Island Sound. Awesome!!! Mom had to give me a bath when we returned home. I loved my bath too!

Day 90

We had the BEST day today. I met horses for the first time! Clydesdales, way bigger than me. I kept my distance! Note my perfect pointer pose. I am irresistible, aren't I?

Day 89

I am awesome at going up the stairs now.  Remember how scared I was?  Lots of practice and patience, and I've nailed it.  I am not so sure why I made such a big deal out of stairs to begin with, but I am over it!

 

 

Day 88

At a glance, this photo looks unremarkable - a gorgeous, if large, puppy hanging out with a chew toy.  However, it's a significant milestone.  I am now able to "settle", to chill out and entertain myself, rather than seeking constant attention and being rambunctious.  For me, this is huge.  PS:  Have you ever noticed how beautifully the orange kitchen walls compliment my blond fur?

Day 87

Here's a photo of me and Hemi the Heroine.  Mom is in the photo too because Hemi will not stand next to me.  I am still unsure how she can resist my charms!  Last night, I barked like a crazy dog and awoke Mom at midnight.  Mom reluctantly descended the steps to find Hemi doing a victory dance near the mouse she just killed.  Had I not barked, there would have been mouse parts all over the house!  I think me and Hemi are a great team, even if she disagrees!

Day 86

Napping in the sun is pure bliss.

Day 85

Yesterday, me, Marilyn, and Mom took a long walk through the woods.  We saw a wild turkey high up in the trees.  Then, we walked to town to buy provisions.  Marilyn is a tall, leggy, natural blonde, just like me!

Day 84

Me and Muffin, playing after breakfast.  Muffin has lots of nicknames -- Muffy, Mittens, Gloves (Abram made that one up), Socks, Muffinopolis, etc.  Of course, Stud Muffin can no longer be used!  I am only Rhythm.  It's against the rules for me, a future guide dog, to have any nicknames.  Poor me.

Day 83

Me and Mom just returned from a walk -- a pretty day for a pretty puppy!

Day 82

Perfect paw.

Day 81

I love my new comfy dog bed.  I have not had a chance to chew the tags off yet!

Day 80

Gosh, darn it.  Has anyone seen my bone?

 

Day 79

Mom took this photo this morning.  I asked her to capture the daffodils in our garden.  How pretty they are, just like me.  Spring is here!!

Day 78

Me and Eli like to play The Dog Licky Game.  Eli kisses my nose, and I try to lick him.  If I lick successfully, I win.  If Eli escapes my lick, he wins.  Eli thinks his wins outnumber his losses, but I am not so sure.  I do not much care about winning, though.  I just like the attention!

 

Here's a photo of Izzie, Archer's daughter.  She joined puppy class this past Sunday, but I have not met her yet.  I missed puppy class for a one-on-one training session with Nicole, my teacher.  I can't wait to meet her!  Cute, isn't she? 



 

Day 77

Me, Peter, and Mom went hiking yesterday. The trail has 5 flights of steps. I descended like a pro. On the return trip, Mom and I worked on the ascent - plenty of patience and food rewards! I made it up 3 flights, and Mom carried me the last 2. I weigh 32 pounds and am no lightweight. I think Mom is not going to be carrying me much longer!

Day 76

My new digs, a big dog crate!

Day 75

Mom says that I have turned a corner.  I am no longer a bratty, bitey, cute puppy.  I have become a gorgeous adolescent.  With maturity comes privileges.  I am now allowed to hang out in Mom and Peter's room!  Here I am with Eli and Hemi.  I also got moved into a Big Girl Crate yesterday because I grew out of my puppy crate -- more on that tomorrow.

Day 74

Puppy Centerfold

Day 73

Eli, Abram, and I went to Orchard Beach, The Bronx Riviera.  Look at me, racing my shadow.  I think I won!  Eli loves me, but Muffin is his favorite.  Muffin is very smart and helps with homework.  I am not good at homework.  I like to eat pencils.

Day 72

Here's a class photo from Sunday. We learned "Stay", "Go Place", and "Get Dressed". For "Get Dressed", I am learning to put my head through a bandana upon command. When I become a guide dog, this is how my person will dress me in my harness.

Day 71

Practicing sit, down, and stand.  Practice makes perfect!

 

Day 70

I don't mean to sound conceited, but I performed THE PERFECT HEEL for Julia. I think my inspiration was New York Harbor. Maybe some day I'll be able to sail on a boat! Then, me and Julia went for a walk. Whenever I choose to look at Julia instead of all the surrounding distractions, I am "checking in". Since the connection between me and my person is key, I get lots of treats for this behavior. We are SO CONNECTED in the middle photo. Imagine how many treats I earned! My belly was so full that I had to end our walk with a little rest and relaxation in the sun - food coma.

Day 69

Yesterday, I went to the pet store with Julia. I decapitated my stuffed duck a couple weeks ago and need a new one. When I bit my duck hard enough, he quacked! It was awesome! I guess I bit him one time too many. I like the bunny on the right, but not his silence. I am going to hold out for a duck.

Day 68

Yesterday, I had my first mani-pedi, then I aired out my ears (Mom thinks I look like a Vulcan), and then I did the whole "Sitting Pretty" routine. I've included some beautiful photos of two classmates, Thimble and Scooter, both sophisticated NYC pups.

Day 67

Julia showed me some family photos today - me as a newborn puppy, my yellow lab dog mom Buffy, and my black lab dog dad Carleton. I love the photos, but I am a people dog and am happy to live with my human family!

Day 66

I spent yesterday with Julia, chillin' at the basketball court and doing "heel" in the wind. Julia thinks I have dumbo ears - too bad I can't fly!

Day 65

I hope everyone enjoyed Easter Sunday. Me and Julia relaxed. I was feeling lazy after our hike!