Pups' Day Out

Whew!! It is always an adventure training and socializing puppies. Yesterday we had grocery shopping to do, so we decided to let a couple puppies tag along.  However,  that is not as easy said as done.  Our goal was to leave around two pm, but, by the time we finished all of our studies, chores, and were ready to leave, it was three-thirty! 

Finally, in the van with four boys, two puppies, Bailey, Mom and I, we were on the road.  Stopping at the post office, Mom let Wyatt, the two puppies and I off.  We then walked about a block across a beautiful park to the library. The puppies did fabulous.

Cocoa and Bailey

Then we went to Albertsons, and while the others and Bailey went shopping, I showed the pups around Subway. The outside that is.  They are not quite ready to go in. From there, we made our way to Walmart, were the others, again, went inside, and I socialized the pups in the  parking lot.  They did very well around the barking dogs you always encounter in a Walmart parking lot. You'll notice there are no pictures of the dogs in the parking lot-- that's because everyone else was shopping and I haven't figured out how to be a photographer and dog handler at once!

Lucky

It was a full afternoon for Cocoa and Lucky. However, they learned a lot, and are well on their way to becoming solid companions for their kids.

A tuckered Lucky

Bailey

 Lucky

On place in the van

Cocoa

Cocoa

Tioga's afternoon

Cuddle time

This afternoon we took our five month old black lab puppy Tioga to town. She accompanied us to our local feed store and the local library.
      At the feed store, she met an energetic ten month old puppy, a wary cat, a rabbit, and a host of new smells.  All of this was very new to her. She had never been to the feed store before. Most young pups would find this very frightening. Tioga, however, has had quite a few socialization experiences in her short life. These outings and her laid back temperament have worked in her favor as an up-and-coming service dog. She stayed by our side the entire time, never acting up, (although, she did get a bit nervous around the cat.:)We are very proud of her.

Reading

 These outings are critical in a service dog's beginning. There are many things that will come up in a service dog's life. If she is not prepared, for them they will come as quite a challenge for her. She MUST be prepared for anything that might come her way, and be ready to face it with grace and composure.

Waiting