Josie is doing well. She is finally feeling better after having campylobacter and giardia. Her coat is coming around and getting soft and glossy. We are going for walks, and she's learning to chase balls and toys in my back yard.. so building some muscle up.
I took her to a local small town on Saturday when they were having their Farmer's Market. I wanted to see how she did with all the commotion. She did great. One of the vendors is my neighbor. I stopped at his stall and talked to him for a long time. Josie laid at my feet and went to sleep. She is so great with small children. I know she never had contact with them before I adopted her.... coming from the shelter and being in the prison since she was 2 months old... but she just loves little kids. The market had lots of little kids and I let them all meet Josie and she loved it. I heeled her all around people, dogs from Yorkies to Great Danes, strollers, wheelchairs, bikes, kids on skateboards... it was a good test for her.
Being just 7 months old, I was very impressed. For a future service dog, I couldn't ask for anything more. There have been a few things that have startled her or scared her when I have had her out places, but I just stay calm, and keep working with her without babying her, and keep getting closer, and show her it's ok.. and she's learning to trust me a lot.
These last 6 weeks since I got her I have worked on getting her out and exposed to things, learning to heel and walk around town, and walk on a flexileash out at the park and on the bike path. I have introduced her to "Clicker" training and taught her the very basics of "target" and a few things like that. She's learned to behave around my cats and my older dog. She's learning about house manners... she was never in a house till she met me. Now that we are bonding nicely, I will start more organized, formal training.
An old training friend from back when I showed in obedience came yesterday. She gave Josie two thumbs up. She said she's the perfect combination of spunk, fun, and desire to please. She really liked her. Said I should have no problem teaching her anything I want her to learn.
Here is Josie on the back porch this morning. I have never used this camera with her before... and she didn't like the look of it! I've used the point and shoot that I don't have to put up to my face, but this was the big Canon SLR with the big lens, and she didn't like me holding it up to my face then pointing it at her. But, she came around.
Here's a head shot showing her pretty eyes.... with a row of lavender "Intrigue" in the background. If you look closely, you can see her little copper spot above her eye - it barely shows, but she is a red tri-color... not solid chocolate like a lab.
