Day 16

Hi Kaye,
Since we saw you on Friday night Fido (seems to be short for Fidelio) has
had a cracking social life. He had a visit from two big dogs and a walk and
paddle with them. Then Sally and I took him shopping on Saturday morning and
he met lots of people and dogs at the coffee shop. I hardly saw him for 4
hours on Saturday night because he was being carted around by a tribe of
kids from about 5-17 at a neighbourhood party. The kids were really good
with him. They introduced him to their cat happily; he had a magnificent
time.

On Sunday we had a working bee here. He hung around with the weed blower and
whippersnipper. We rested up a bit on Monday and then yesterday went up to
buy scrap metal for my art works. He traipsed around the yard with me for
two hours or more and then settled really well in the car. Lots of big
machinery and loud clangs and bangs. Nothing phases the little man and he
travels perfectly. (I've now got a decent quantity of very cheap dog fencing
material.)

In training we are getting 'sit' from 'stand' and 'stand' from 'sit'. He's
making progress with 'on your mat' from about half a metre away. He also has
the hang of walking by my left leg. We've started circles in both directions
and I'm ready to bring sit/stand/lie down to beside my leg a bit. We've also
got high fives, sometimes reliably and sometimes both feet together with
little rears! I'm at a stage where I can start to refine it to either leg
and I'd like to be able to keep his foot up a bit longer.

I'm luring a lot. Nothing except 'sit' and 'Come here' works without a
treat. He is eating really well and is much more keen on his food at the
moment. Perhaps he is settling in more. He has eaten from day one but not
with the enthusiasm he's got now.

The squeaky toys have become the favourites. The tennis ball is only good
for half a dozen throws so I try to find a small squeaky ball. Keeping his
'blood up' for anything except tugging games takes a bit of tact. I often
find myself working harder than him.

I'd like to go through hand signals and keep refining his 'dictionary' when
we see you on Friday. I'm still all over the shop with my language.  I feel
quite 'untrainable' at times. Getting a better reaction to his name means I
haven't needed to distract him with play. I think a lot of dogs would have
become very demanding with that distracting technique. They would see it as
being rewarded for being a nuisance i.e.. If I tug your trouser leg you'll
get a plastic bag and play tug with me. Fido is seldom demanding although he
does come and tell me he is interested in a training session. He normally
just sits down in front of me and fixes me with a full stare. He's asking
for food of course but he knows he has to work for it. I was a bit concerned
about his enthusiasm to receive affection.  These days he often asks to sit
on my knee and is not struggling/asking to get down much.

I'm getting a bit stronger and have given a few riding lessons to old
students who are good enough friends to take me as I am on the day. Fido
seems to know it is not all about him and settles very quickly on my lap
often going to sleep. He's had lots of little rides and is very confident
with the horses.  I have to be very careful with the horse exposure because
he is too fearless and could easily get hurt.

Puppy pre school is tomorrow night. Julie has sent me some material on
grooming.  He's a walking compost heap when we get back from our walks in
the paddock. The creek is flowing gently and he loves paddling and going out
in the rain.

Fido is approaching 12 weeks old and we are into the second half of our
months trial.    I am very happy with our progress.

I hope you are doing well Kaye.

Hope to see you Friday.
Cheers,

Richard