Day 57-61 - Starting training 6/8-6/12

Over the last five days, the puppies have continued their unbroken streak of being adorable and amazing.

Here are where the pups are training-wise.

Gingersnap: Available!

• is no longer afraid of everything! He's curiously exploring the world around him.

• has begun to understand manding for treats during training.

• Runs to me when I click my tongue

• Working on sit, lie down, leave it, manding for attention in real life.

Tagalong: Available!

• eager to train

• Finds me wherever I am when I click my tongue, even if he's outside.

• Understands manding to get a treat during training.

• Sits regularly during training, is beginning to learn to sit on command.

• Has begun leash training.

• Working on leave it, lie down, sit on command, manding for attention in real life.

Snickerdoodle: Available!

• eager to train

• Comes running from anywhere in the house if he hears me click.

• understands manding for treats.

• sits regularly during training, working on sitting on command.

• has laid down during training, but doesn't quite understand that's what I want yet!

• Working on leave it, lie down, sit on command, manding for attention in real life.

Days 55&56, New dog buddy, 6/6-6/7

The puppies met Squeak the other day. Squeak is our neighbor. She brought her human along and everyone had a great time getting to know each other.

Butter, Snick, and Gingy meeting Squeak through the fence.

Actually, Tagalong was a little unsure at first, but we left him to make his own choice about whether or not to interact, and towards the end of the visit, he decided to come out into the yard.

The puppies have been sleeping in their crate, with the door open. That first night, they did not. In fact, they kept coming up to me and fussing at me to move the crate out of their way. But over the next few nights, they have come to terms with it's being there and have begun sleeping in it.

Snick and Tag snuggling in their crate. Ignore the random roller skate.

I've noticed another cool thing, too.

We've left them access to the securely fenced backyard during the night, and there is very little poop to clean up in the mornings now. They are by no means potty trained! They are far too young for that. But they prefer to use the potty outside when given the option.

Days 53&54 - A Garden Romp, 6/4&6/5

We took the puppies out to the garden and orchard to explore and they all did so well! They loved going in the tall grass, and sparring just out of reach of Butter, who cannot be trusted not to run off outside of the fences, yet.

Later in the day, I took Tag outside to try the first step of leash training outlined in Puppy Culture. There is actually no leash involved. You just reward the puppy for being at your left heel. He caught on quick. Although, at first, he was trying to sit for the chicken puree, he started keeping close to my leg once I started walking away from him.

And finally, I moved the medium sized crate behind the chair where they've been nesting at night to see if I can get them to start going in on their own one more time. I will let you know whether I find them in there in the morning or not.