Over the past few weeks we have noticed changes and definite steps in the right direction in several areas.  Bess is learning to be more gentle with “Leave It”, I mean Linus.   She seems to be realizing that if she is going to play with him she needs to tone it down.  Over the past few days I have seen Linus instigate play like he did when she was smaller, before she grew bigger than he.

Belle has relaxed her “I’m the responsible alpha dog” and has been simply having fun playing and snuggling with Bess.

Bonnie is  Bess’s favorite when it comes to a partner in crime.   The favorites are still socks and towels and they are getting very good at the “Quick, she’s coming” handoff as well as the innocent,” towel, what towel?” and flashing me a “Aren’t I  cute, my Margret?”

This week Bess and I will be finishing up her puppy classes then she will take a bit of a break. In the meantime Greg and I will be taking Bonnie and Belle for 6 weeks of Canine Good Citizen test prep classes. Passing the CGC is the next step towards starting Therapy Dog training.

We’ve been doing a bit of refresher work on the very difficult sit/stay and down/stay.  Belle, who this is very challenging for, did well the other day when after working on it by ourselves decided to practice in the midst of everyone.  She stuck the sit even when Miss Bouncy Bess and Bonnie came by to get in on the treat action.  To their credit Bess and Bonnie both immediately sat without being told 🙂

Behavior wise we are working on Bess not chewing up the couch cover, and as soon as we have mastered that task I will be getting new couch covers for our hairy crew, until then it’s just going to look ratty.  When we redirect Bess and give her an approved chew toy in an effort to redirect her, she will chew on it when we are looking then switch back to chewing on what she wants to.   We rarely have problems anymore with the older pups except for when Miss “I want to see what’s in your coat pockets” Belle snoops in our coats or Bonnie reverts back to puppy mode. However Miss Bess is very sneaky but we have caught on and know that “this too shall pass”

We appreciate you joining us on our Golden Adventure and would love to hear from you.  For day to day happenings we invite you to visit  our Two Pups and a Kitty Facebook page.

Take care.

Our Girls

Belle (on the left) stuck the sit even with sisterly distractions!

Towel, what towel?

Belle and Bess cuddling on a cold winter day.

Bess and Linus