Hey everyone!
Smaug is now 7.5 months old, and I swear he’s made of pure legs and attitude. I blinked, and the tiny puppy turned into a lanky teenager who somehow manages to still think he’s a small pup during cuddles.
We’ve definitely hit the “adolescent phase”—he’s testing boundaries here and there, but honestly, he’s still such a sweet, thoughtful pup at heart. His impulse control continues to improve, and he’s almost mastered ignoring distractions in busy environments (even though it clearly pains him to walk past people without introducing himself).
His off switch in public has gotten stronger this month, and we’ve been practicing it in different settings where there’s a lot going on. It’s been amazing to see him start to self-soothe and settle more quickly when we’re out—like he’s figuring out, “Oh yeah, this is my job.” Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it.
We’ve also been working on his “perch” and body awareness, which is a bit of an adventure when your dog suddenly has the proportions of a baby giraffe. Still, he’s giving it his best shot and his confidence keeps growing. I can really see how all this foundation work is paying off.
Every month with Smaug is such a gift. Watching him grow, learn, and step more confidently into his role as a future service dog makes me feel so lucky to be part of his journey. He’s got a big heart, a bigger personality, and yes—still some VERY big paws to grow into.
Until next month,
— Shelton & Smaug 🐾
Submitted by: Shelton Bowes
