Day 101

Hops woke us up early this morning with a very upset tummy. It seems the sea water did not agree with him. So he had no food for the rest of the day until his fun and focus one class in the evening. In class, all Jeremiah had to work with was some rice, which Hops did not want (he only likes plain rice warm I found out), and toys, which Hops did not want because his mouth was hurting from teething. Luckily, doing the obstacles is already reinforcing for Hops so he ended up worked very well for Jeremiah, especially when we were sequencing. Good puppy! The whole group moves on to fun and focus two next week.

Day 100!

Wow, 100 days with Hops already! Time has flown by but we have enjoyed every moment of this wonderful puppy!

 

We took a hike on the beach one more time on our way home today and what a success it was! The was a wide, shallow stream flowing into the ocean where we walked and we threw a tennis ball in for Rice and Dillon to retrieve over and over. After lots of running on the bank, wanting to chase his brothers but being to afraid to go in the water, Hops jumped in and ran after them! He did that multiple times and even went far enough to swim a few times! Yea! That is a big water breakthrough for him! Before he had only gone in because he was being left behind. He also met and played with a huge wolfhound puppy who was his age but bigger than Rice but Hops was not afraid.

 

Besides the short nosework session last night, most training this weekend has come from real life experiences. Hops met lots of new people and dogs, went on his first hike, ran on the beach for the first time, and swam outdoors for the first time. What was very important as well was all of the recall training. Over and over and over again on the trail and on the beach Jeremiah and I called Hops to us, rewarded him then released him. He always came and about 95% of the time came right away. What a great puppy he is!

 

		Hops’s 3rd day at the beach! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Day 99

Alright, we think Hops is a keeper! He has been great on the trip so far. This morning we started our day with a hike (Hops’s first real hike) and boy can this 25 pound puppy pull! He pulled me right up the beginning of the trail and later when I dropped his long leash he would run up the trail then would stop and check in or come back whenever we called him. He was great with all the people and dogs we met on the trail too. Then we went to the beach and the dogs ran and played. Hops fetched his first stick and he even swam across a large stream when the rest of his pack crossed it. He cried at first when he was left on the other bank but then he got brave and followed us! He did that several times today in different places. The boys and I would cross a stream (me walking over a log or attempting to jump over the stream, Rice and Dillon walking or swimming through it) and Hops would cry when he was left then get brave and join us. The only time he did not was when he climbed up on a huge log then could not find a way in. I went back for him that time. Hops just loves running on the beach though, and chasing the boys. He also seems to love climbing on anything he can and seems to like posing for the camera too! What an awesome puppy he is! His recalls today were great, only needing a second cue every once in awhile.



Before bed we did nosework in the condo. Hops is just amazing! He went right to all of the hides, put his nose on them, then sat or downed (depending on the height of the hide). Wow! No problem searching in a new location!

		Hops’s 2nd day on the beach! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Day 98

Today was the beginning of Hops’s first big road trip! Jeremiah and I drove to the Oregon coast to celebrate out second anniversary and of course brought all three dogs with us! Hops did fairly well during the long car ride. He fussed some but munched on toys and slept for the most part.

 

When we arrived at Cannon Beach, we parked then walked the dogs to the beach where we let them off leash to run and play. And run and play they did! All three had a blast and Hops definitely approves of the beach! We then drove the rest of the way to Rockaway Beach where we were staying and the dogs had two more long runs on the beach. They met some new human and canine friends and ran and ran and ran! Hops even played with a frenchie he met. We were hoping they would be tired when we came in and Rice and Dillon were, but not Hops!

 

		Hops’s 1st day on the beach! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Day 97

Hops had a long day at work with me today. He stayed in the car during my first lesson because there was odor out and he seemed fine when I went to get him. He was mostly quiet throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening, the few times he did complain he quieted when I asked him to. In between classes he played tug and fetch with me and did tunnels, chutes, planks, sends and tables. After classes he had a short, fun playtime with Rice, Seek, Cedar and Riser. Earlier in the day he also made a new friend, Edgar, a sweet, young Cavalier.

 

When we came home Jeremiah worked with Hops on the doughnut and peanut and he said he did very well and that he can even back up onto the peanut, almost doing a handstand! Good puppy!

 

Hops has been sleeping outside of his crate for a few nights now and has done very well. He has a bed and has been tied down to the crate which also separates him from Rice and Dillon so he does not try to play with them. He has been quiet and calm and has not chewed anything. He is growing up!

Day 96

Hops went to work with me and played tug and ran around the arena doing chutes and tunnels and tables before classes started. I tried rear crossing a straight tunnel again and he turned correctly every time. He was then quiet though the first class. He played with me a little again before the next class then was good in the crate the rest of the day.

 

When we came home Hops chased Rice round and round the yard which was great because he usually wants to chase Dillon and Rice loves being chased. He was full of energy when we came inside but I was not, so I had him do recalls to the manners minder. He loves the game and it definitely tires him out! It is also not hard on his body like fetch is and he is collecting nicely when he reaches it, stopping straight, his but not swinging out to either side. After he ate is kibble at the MM he came back to me for me to restrain him and let him go again to run to the MM.

 

I took Hops with me to the boys’ agility class so he was able to greet his sister and all the people there. He walked a course with me and showed off his go around skills by running around a large barrel to chase me. Blynn said he looks nice and balanced driving out of the turn. Good boy!

 

Before bed we did interior nosework hides. Hops is definitely improving, detailing more and is finding higher hides with much more ease. It looks like I should do a few more corner and threshold hides with him.

Day 95

I was not feeling well today so we did not do much besides some balance disk work and recalls to the manners minder. Hops was a good boy all day, entertaining himself with his toys and playing with his big brothers.