Hi, Everyone!

Well, no Late Winter hibernating for me! February was a busy month full of parties, play & practice.

So much of the fun was courtesy of our Cohort Trainer, Chelsea. Sheโ€™s magnificent! First, she organized an Off-Leash Trail Adventure, especially for us teenagers. My brother Reef was there as well as my classmates Morena & Raekin – plus Advanced PADS Thorin. Thatโ€™s us, all lined up for our commemorative photo!

Next, Chelsea planned a special Valentine’s Art Party for us. We all created festive pink paintings using our touch, chin, target & sit cues. Chelsea really knows how to make practicing colourful! Then, I went home & used my touch cue to close the kitchen cabinets by nose-bumping the knobs. And I used my chin cue to do all sorts of things like rest my head on laps and do grooming tasks, such as teeth brushing, and mock eye & ear exams – that’s Art in Action PADS style!

Also, this month, I played off-leash a lot on the nearby tennis courts. Iโ€™m really into retrieving placed objects, and the courts give me tons of ground to cover. Theyโ€™re also the perfect place to practice responding to cues and holding durations at long distances. Plus, I worked on fitness & heel work while trotting along at a rapid pace. Hmmm, maybe, I should try playing actual tennis?

As always, Iโ€™ve been out & about focusing on my โ€œdo nothingโ€ durations. The library is a great venue for practicing chill guy skills. Plus, I get a chance to catch up on my reading! At home, weโ€™ve been double-checking my tethering manners and (so nifty!) shaping my side work (sit, down, stand) on left & right while my Raiser sits on carpets, stools & chairs. One day, sheโ€™ll sit on an elephant and, then, what will I do?

Thanks so much for checking in on me! Please, come again because the best is yet to come. Next week, Iโ€™m spending a few days with Super Sitter Fiona & another PADS pup!! What a blast! And I might even get to meet my Dad, Cleat! Plus, I MUST get to the barn to visit Don Quixote the Donkey! Iโ€™ll give you all the highlights next time. Until then, put your Art in Action!

Submitted by: Mikal