Preparing for Puppy Class

Scout has his first puppy class this Saturday! He'll be learning the fundamentals including: obedience, proper puppy play, and how to interact with new humans. I'm was excited to find this program because they focus on the positive training method (as opposed to punitive), which I've been trying to do with Scout!

Martin & I attended an orientation for the class where we learned the basics of clicker training.  We're feeling pretty confident going into the class since we started clicker training Scout when he was 8 weeks old. Scout already knows the basics, but he could always use the practice and socialization.  Martin & I still have a lot to learn as well.  The really nice thing about this class is that the attendance is capped at 7 puppies - so no matter what level we're at we'll all get the attention we need.

Scout is 11 weeks old, we've had him for three weeks. So far he's learned: sit, stay, leave it, down, roll over, speak, play dead, shake, high ten, spin, and fetch. This video highlights a few - he was in a pretty feisty mood, so you'll definitely see some areas Scout has to work on. I had a number of late clicks as well - so I'm eager to hone my training abilities!

For our next few training sessions we'll be going back to basics. I want to see if Scout can learn the commands with just the voice or just the hand signals.  Wish us luck!

So Seattle

Martin and I like to joke that Scout is "So Seattle." Here's why:

1. He loves coffee! Don't leave your coffee unattended around here!
2. He loves IPA beer.  He sniffs all beer, but he REALLY gets excited about IPAs
3. He hates the cold and the rain (Yes, people here complain about the weather, I don't why, it's so beautiful!)
4. He's really good with computers

So when we found this toy we knew he had to have it! Fetch Roasted? Too cute!

Scout loves it! We're starting to teach him fetch with it - cute videos to follow!

Housetraining

 

I call this post: The Joys and Pains of Housetraining as Explained by Jess as Interpreted by Pop Culture GIFs

Scout is smart. He can learn tricks in a matter of minutes - so I was expecting housetraining to be easy breezy beautiful. Yea, not so much.

When we first got Scout home he started off strong. He peed outside before we even got him in the house! And your like - my dog's a genius!

But then he has his first accident. It's okay, he's a puppy. This was suppose to happen. No biggie.

The next day arrives and you say to yourself  "I read the puppy books, I know what to do. I'll take him out every 2 hours and he'll be fine. I got this."

But the second you turn your back....

It's okay, brush it off. He had a lot to drink.

At night a small whimper wakes you up and you're like: THIS IS NOT A DRILL. It's now a race against the clock to see who can get dressed, ready, and out the door with the dog.

And that's just the first week.

Scout Got Mail!

Scout received from presents in the mail from Iowa!  My family dog, Kona, also wanted to welcome him to the family with this adorable picture!

 If Scout grows up to be half as good as Kona I'll be so proud! My dad worked really hard on training him and I constantly need his advice and reassurance.

 Scout also received a bounty of treats and toys including:

This awesome rope toy he won't let go of

 



His very own squeaky shoe (we know his feelings on shoes)



 

 

 

This soccer ball was once attached to a rope (The rope didn't survive long). But he loves to    chase the ball around the yard!

 

 

So basically, its official, Scout's spoiled! But I

won't take any credit for it. :)

Scout's First Bath

Scout has some unfortunate luck. His least favorite thing in the whole world is the rain. And he lives in Seattle.

Whenever it rains he whines and whimpers until he can come inside, so it's not exactly helping our housetraining.  However, it's been nice weather lately.  So we decided it was time for a bath. 

We started out strong. He was happiest merely standing in the water.  He was a little overwhelmed to even try and play with the multiple squeaky toys in the tub. Once water was poured down his back the whining and whimpering started. 

To add to the challenge- Scout's big enough to crawl out of the tub! It was a very wet adventure for all involved.  We got through it though. I'm just hoping it didn't scar him too much! On the plus side, his coat smells like coconut! :)

The Genius Pup

Announcement: My dog is a genius.

Okay, not really.  But I'm constantly impressed at how quickly he learns things. 

For example- walking on a leash.  This video was taken the third day we had him, his 2nd time on a leash!

We've been clicker training him and he's taken really well to it. We've had him for 2 weeks, he's only 10 weeks old and so far he can : Sit, Stay, Down, Leave it, and Roll Over!

Here's some cuteness to prove it!

What's Cooking?

Scout's Food.... of course!


As part of his action plan to get over the worms Scout is on a strict "bland diet."

It consists of 3 parts white rice 1 part boneless skinless chicken breast. Refrigerate and serve.

The result is usually this:

Rawwwrr food let me at it!

He knocks over both his food and water bowl in his excitement of eating!!