Can you pick the approved dog toy?

Page will in a heartbeat, as soon as she gets the "take a break" command.  =)

Summer in the city

Beth and her family are making the most of their summer vacation, first at the bowling alley, then on an exciting train ride!  Keep checking off those exposures, Beth.

Rainy, but productive

After two-and-a-half years of great luck with respect to rain, we're having a wet run.  Fortunately, we had a roof to work under when the clouds broke.  The focus of our meeting was instruction and problem solving with our trainer liaison, Jen.

Sisters Tyra and Page ignore each other, as desired!

Beth, Millie, and Tyra wait for the action to begin.

Jen demonstrates an exercise that involves intentionally riling up and then calming a puppy.  By arming the dogs with this on/off switch in a fun exercise, they will (ideally) be more responsive to our requests to calm when they've gotten silly on their own.

Millie, Carly, and Page wait their turn for demonstrations.

Our next excercise was a distracted stay, using the temptation of sticks.  It was fun to watch each pup's individual approach.  =)

Rocky demonstrates the scootch:

Harley tests the sly grab:
 

Tyra models an ideal loose lead::

Carly:  "What stick?"

Thanks, Jen, as always.

Raisers convene at first conference

This weekend, several Tampa raisers attended Southeastern's first Puppy Raiser Conference.  Informational sessions included handling, obedience, first aid & CPR, massage, and sighted guide instruction.  The agenda also included a panel of graduates (guide dog users) as well as a modified "dining in the dark" experience.

Raisers and dogs assemble at the downtown Sarasota center for a hands-on session on puppy massage.

Millie listens intently to the presenter while Rocky gives in to a nap.

While raisers cycled through the kennel for puppy hugging, trainees were housed in the training vans -- foreshadowing of their harness training to come.

Participants enjoy lunch and conversation under the oaks of the Freedom Courtyard.

Pups honor veterans

Rocky and Katy make a visit to Tampa International Airport to welcome home the WWII veterans returning from an Honor Flight to see the military memorials in Washington, D.C. 

Another sighting!

While on a visit to Southeastern, Kay and girls have the opportunity to visit with our beloved Cracker, currently in training.

(Out of respect for our in-for-training dogs, puppy raisers are not permitted to visit the dogs they raise.  The bond between trainer and dog must not be compromised.  But, occasionally, a group member who did not have a strong bond with the puppy will run into one of our group's dogs while puppy hugging or dog walking on campus.)

A relaxing pawdicure

Millie has no concerns about her nail trim.  Good girl, Millie!

Lovin' the ocean

Harley has a great time at the beach with his family.

Ah...the sun on my face, the waves at my feet.  Life is good.   ;-)

A perfect day to be a dog

After a very rainy Friday, Saturday dawned (and stayed) clear for our annual pool safety meeting.

Our obedience routine in the driveway provides practice with numerous commands.

But the focus of the day is to teach the pups about pool etiquette and safety.

Page paves the way by demonstrating the perfect stair entrance.  (Our program dogs are not permitted to fly in over the side.)

With "sister," Jiggs.

Harley isn't sure at first, but Jiggs encourages.

Note how he tries to haul Leah out of the pool.  Smooth move, Harley!

But he gets the hang of it after a few minutes, and then he is "sold."

Katy is up next.  Hmmm...  Not so sure.  Harley is now the encourager.  ;-)

Little Millie takes her turn, first hesitantly, then more confidently.

Beth reveals her water-dog roots.

But Carly denies hers (at least for awhile).

Tyra, who recently discovered pools, is ready to roll.

Rocky has little choice in the matter!

After everyone succeeded with swimming lessons, "fun in the grass" is next on the agenda!

Sisters Katy and Carly enjoy their first reunion since March.

Jan "becomes one with the pack!"

After all the swimming and romping, the humans enjoy a great lunch and the rare opportunity to sit and talk.

And Rocky starts early with what would be a long afternoon's nap for all the pups!

With heartfelt gratitude to Kay and family for offering their home and pool for our enjoyment and training.  It was a great day.

First day of puppy camp

Clearly, Carly is miserable...   ;-)

Nora moves on to college

It was love at first sight.

Even Moosette though Nora was pretty special, so she took her under her wing.

And the program-puppy adventures began! 

One of her earliest public appearances.

Kayaking at a puppy meeting.

A family trip to the beach.

Exploring the big city.

Music appreciation.

Sports appreciation.

And even cat appreciation!

But after an exciting year with her family, Nora and her littermates were called to their advanced training.  Leaving her puppy family for her campus family is a big step, but everyone who influenced Nora along the way did so with the focus on her higher calling.

So as Chloe moves on to high school, Nora moves on to college.  A fitting parallel, yes, but it doesn't make the transition any easier.

 

Make us proud, Nora.  We have loved witnessing your journey.