Dog In Training

Got the news today: Felix did much better on his submission today and passed his retest.

That means I'm officially a Dog in Training! This is the time when PAWS staff decide what job I might be good for. The selection criteria is very high. Not all pups will make the program. In the next few months I am in Phase 1&2 training.
In Phase 1- I work on improving upon the obedience training I already started. The degree of difficulty and more distractions are added to make sure my behavior is solid.
In phase 2 -I will learn retrieving and door opening skills. Most of the advanced skills I learn will be based on these 2 tasks.

Wish me luck on this new adventure.

Update

Note from my teachers:

Felix did well on his temperament test. He did struggle with the submission portion but we will keep working with him on that and hopefully that will improve once he’s settled in. We will retest him in a week. I will keep you posted.

College Day

Today I go to school. I got to pose a few more times for Mom. Got to meet up with my siblings. Fisher, Flint & Faith.Flash and Fergus moved in the the dorms early.
More pictures as we greet everyone. Class picture.
Wish me good luck. I still have to pass the entrance exams.

Spring is here

Mom says It's almost time to go to college. I am much taller than Aussie now. We share the water dish. I can reach the top!I'm just checking out the yard now that the snow is gone.
Watching for birds.Mom likes me to pose by the flowers. I humor her.

IKEA here we come

We had a fun outing today. My friends and I went shopping. We got to practice our skills. First I had to do a little clean up. We worked on sit, down stays, under, thru, steps, and trying to ignore each other. That's a hard one! I had a great time Mom, but I'm tired.

My vacation with Ms Sonya

Mom & Aussie are out of town again. They had to go to a place call Utah to teach student nurses about service dogs. They reviewed the role of pets & therapy dogs too. How all pets can make you and keep you healthy. Mom says I bark too much and would be disruptive during class. I got to go to Ms Sonya's house instead. I met Phoenix, Chloe and Patrick. Phoenix had a birthday. She turned 7. She let me snuggle with her. Sonya has a comfortable lap.I had a great time but it's nice to be home with my Momma and sissy. I'll be a college boy real soon!

My Vacation with Miss Suzanne

Mom & Aussie went to Arizona. I got to go to Flynn's house. These are a few of my letters.

3/16 Hi Mom,
Wazzup, Mom? Did I countersurf once too often? Did Aussie complain too much about when I drag her around by the collar? Please tell me - what was the straw that broke the camel's back and made you send me to get a dose of my own medicine with Flynn?
Yup, Flynn is a non-stop energy machine, except when he is sleeping. He wants to play ALL THE TIME - I get overwhelmed. He grabs my collar and tries to drag me around. Fortunately, I'm bigger and heavier than he is, so I just stand there and eventually he lets go. Even though there are lots of toys, Flynn wants to grab at the one I have. I try to lay down and he jumps on my bones. I may have bags under my eyes when I get home - I am coming home aren't I?
Actually, I'm having a good time with Flynn, once he got used to having a big bro in the house. I didn't whine in my crate last night. Suzanne took me to the library all by myself. I was a good boy! So don't worry, Mom, everything is O.K. Have a good time and I'll see you when you get home - when will that be?

Puppy hugs and slobbery smooches,
Your GOOD BOY,
Felix

3/18 Hi Mom,
I gave Suzanne a good lesson. It involved me being on the back seat of the truck and a large Coke and cheeseburger being in the front seat. When she got out to let me out of the back seat - well, you know what happened. I do have to say that she learns very quickly - good girl, Suzanne!
Also, Flynn can't open cabinet doors, but I can if they don't close real well. Suzanne was sitting in another room and she heard some chewing in the kitchen. When she came in, there was the cabinet door under the sink - open. Flynn was chewing a bar of soap - he didn't eat alot. It all came out later in the afternoon. Another lesson learned - keep an eye on everyone at all times.
Other than that, I'm being a good boy and having a great time. We go out on adventures - Flynn one time and me another. With the weather warming up nicely, we're spending quality time in the fenced-in backyard helping Suzanne pick up sticks and stuff from the winter.
Hope you're having a good time in the sunny southwest. I be Aussie is thinking she's in heaven with me not there to bedevil her. I think this is a good break for everyone.

Puppy hugs and slobbery smooches,
Felix the Great