Growing up is hard work. Iβve had to learn so muchβ¦so fast. I think itβs probably a bit harder because Iβm not only going to have a job one day, but Iβm just so excited about everything in this big shiny world! Iβm only 13 months old and still getting it all figured out.
Our weekly puppy classes are designed to help me learn to be calm and attentive – no matter what. Iβve gotta give it to the trainers who are helping Cathy and Chris learn how to teach me the βservice-dog-ropesβ…they come up with the craziest places for us to have our classes. And, apparently, the noisier, the better.
For example, this month, one of our classes was at a place with lots of skating rinks and guys playing hockey. I was pretty excited about all the fast movement, and I couldnβt believe the whack those pucks made as they hit the boards. But since Iβm a Canadian dog, Chris said more hockey games are probably in my future. Cathy had to be on her toes to keep me from jumping up and down, cheering (barking) forβ¦well, whoever was closest to me! Not very service-dog-like, I knowβ¦but it was so exciting!
We have a lot of quiet time too. Cathy says sheβs never seen a dog who liked to watch TV in the evening. If thereβs a dog in the showβ¦well, Iβm just glued to it.
And then there was SNOW! OMG! One day the entire world changed overnight, and I was in dog heaven. So soft. So fluffy. So cold. Andβ¦oh, those snowballs! But, since I live on the βwet coastβ of Canada – it was mostly gone in a couple of days. I can hardly wait until it snows again.
We spent a lot of time indoors practicing new service-dog behaviours. Things like βgo in,β which means I should shrink myself up and get under a table, or bench on a bus, or a desk. Itβs such a challenge to keep all 75 lbs of me and my tail tucked under so I donβt get stepped on in public places. Cathy says, βthatβs the one that will really impress folksββ¦once I get a lot better at it.
Christmas was merry and bright – because I got a new toy and some special treats and we did a lot of car trips to visit people. I love love love car rides.
Iβm going to be learning the basics for a few more months. If Iβm a very good boy and I work very hard, Iβll probably enter advanced training (where I find out what job Iβm going to be best for and learn specific skills) in 2023. I can hardly wait!
Happy New Year!!
Submitted by: Cathy Demers and Chris Wright
