Hobart's 5th (I think) weekend in public

Hobart and I attended our 3rd speech and debate tournament this year! The best part about this one is that I competed in two speech events with Hobart at my side :D Lots of people asked me what I'd do with him when I had to speak and I just said 'I'll bring him up there with me'. So I did!

Hobart is not perfect at commands but he does great in settings with lots of busy people and little kids. He doesn't get stressed out when he has lots of people gathered around petting him or when he is sleeping under a table or chair for a round! He's pretty relaxed and good natured in public. He just hangs out! he's good with commands overall, as well!

in between rounds

before one of my brother's debates

sleeping during a round

lunch break!

before speaking!

Hobart had an enormous fan club of little kids following him everywhere he went!

I'm so proud of that puppy ;D
~Elijah & Hobart II

Dembre News, Hobart's Puppy Class, Weigh-in, etc...

I have a lot to say :D

We got Dembre's FINAL WRITTEN report!!!! At the end of next month we will get his final report via the phone (as long as he has not been released by that time).

His report was really good!!!!! He is officially working on all of his commands with his handler on foot and in a wheelchair. According to the report, "Dembre is responsive to commands and responds to correction for distractions." Once again he has mounted other dogs in the play yard, but it has decreased and is not a concern. If Dembre graduates he will graduate on Friday, February, 17th. That's not very far away!!!!

I also got to say "hi" to Dembre at class today! His kennel mate switched.... again, so he is with Gallaghar II. It took me a minute to tell the two apart, but one of the dogs was more excited to see me and came to Dembre's name so I figured it out which dog he was. I got to give him a hug and tell him that I'm so very proud of him. I can't wait to see him.... if it's God's will... GRADUATE AS A SERVICE DOG!!!!!!

I turned in Mr. Dembre in August and now four months later he's SO close to graduation

I also went to class at CCI today (for the first time in five weeks) and picked up Hobart from his puppy sitter. Connie, who puppy sat him for me, said that she liked him and thought he was a "good dog" in CCI terms. That's good for me to hear, because it's been hard for me to see Hobart as a good dog. I'm really excited that a puppy raiser on number 21 can say that my 2nd pup is doing fine!

It was really nice to have class and catch up with my CCI friends! I enjoyed encouragement from other puppy raisers and lots of good training tips! I've really missed not being able to get a reality check from other, more experienced raisers.

now..... last and definitely least..... Hobart now ways 50 lbs. !!!!!

Hobart on day one (2 months)

Hobart last week (5 months)

~Elijah & Hobart II (With Dembre in our prayers)

Dembre's Progress Report

Yesterday we received Dembre's November Progress Report. Once again Adrena sent it a week early! That's fine with me :D

 Great news!!! As I said previously Dembre successfully passed all of his 1st Semester exams, which are fairly intense. CCI doesn't want to waste time and money training a dog that they don't think will graduate so most 2nd semster dogs pass. AND his main problem, mounting, is improving. According to Adrena, "Dembre is mounting other dogs less often in the exercise yard." He's improved!!!!!!!! Everything else stayed the same so his report was POSITIVE!!!!!!!!! I'm SO PROUD!!! There's nothing negative on this report :D

Flying towards his goal!!!

SERVICE DOG IN THE MAKING

 

~Elijah & Hobart II (With Dembre in our prayers)

Hobart's Progress

Hobart is learning so fast. He's gotten the hang of stand, kennel, roll, and heel pretty well. He knows sit, down, shake, here, let's go, hurry, off, lap (I'm pretty sure), wait, and his name. I'm happy at present, because he's four months old and learning more every day. He has one more month to prepare for going in public and I intend to get him ready. He's doing really well on housebreaking and he's learning to walk nicely on a leash. Hopefully I'll be able to do a good job and get him to graduation (or maybe being a breeder). I just hope I do well.

Meanwhile, Hobart's nose is turning brown. It's weird, but I haven't seen any yell CCI dogs that don't have brown nose by six months. It's cute on most dogs, but it's strange when you're used to a black nose!
~Elijah & Hobart II