Hey there, pack! Blake here with the latest update on my training adventures. This week was all about mastering the basics and starting some new commands!

First off, I’m proud to say I’ve nailed “sit” and “down.” Captain says I’m a quick learner, and I’m starting to believe it! I’ve also been working on my recall, which is fancy talk for coming when called. Captain uses both words and signs for my commands. For “sit,” she’s always used a closed fist, just like the letter S in ASL, and that’s our go-to. For my recall, she uses the ASL sign for “come here.” I love how it feels like our little secret language!

Now, we’re gearing up to learn “place” and “settle.” Sounds fun, right? Captain says those will be super important for me to know so I can stay calm and focused, especially when we’re in new places or meeting new people. I can’t wait to show off my new skills! For the next few weeks, Captain plans to try this method to help me with relaxing when I’m down: Protocols for Relaxation

Even though I’m doing well with my training, Captain still doesn’t let me out of her sight. At night, I sleep in my cozy kennel, and I’ve gotten so good at it that when she says “kennel,” I walk right in! During the day, I sometimes hang out in my playpen, and when I’m outside, I get to roam off-leash in our yard or on the porch, but Captain or one of the pack members is always with me. Inside, I’m always on a leash, even if I’m just chilling next to Captain while she works (In the picture, I’m staring at Captain, waiting for her Zoom meeting to end so we can go for a walk). This way, if I get a little too curious about the coffee table or anything else I shouldn’t be chewing on, Captain can help me right away.

Speaking of chewing, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, and sometimes, when I get too excited, I go in for a playful nip or mouthing. Captain says that’s a big no-no, so she’s been teaching me to chew on my toys instead. She’s got toys everywhere—even in her pocket! Whenever I get a little too nippy, she gives me a quick “eh-eh” and hands me a toy. I’m learning fast that toys are way more fun to chew on than fingers! I can also still get over tired, even though I’m getting older. If I get way too excited, Captain knows it means I’m ready for my nap, especially if it’s after a good walk and play time. I’m a lot like a toddler!

My favorite toy wasn’t actually mine – but it is now. Little Paw has these stackable, stepping blocks. Each one is tied to the next one with rope. Little Paw used to play with them a lot when she was little to practice balancing and I found them on the porch.

My favorite thing to do is to unstack them, one by one, using my mouth and the rope. I’ll get them all unstacked and then, sure enough, the next time I come out on the porch one of my packmates has restacked them for me! And I get to do it again and again. Little Paw thinks it’s hilarious, Commander doesn’t find it quite as funny for some reason, but he still lets me do it!

We’re also doing lots of walks—three a day! They’re still pretty short because it’s super hot outside, and Captain says we have to be careful about the hot ground. She’s even thinking about getting me some boots to protect my paws. Sounds fancy, huh?

For my training, Captain has been using a lot of luring to guide me into the right positions, like for “sit” and “down.” I’m also starting to get the hang of clicker training, which is another way for Captain to let me know when I’ve done something right. I love hearing that click—it means treats are coming!

I’ve got a lot more to learn, but I’m excited for what’s next. I also get to start an obedience and socialization puppy class next week! I’ll get to make new friends and learn even more.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about all the cool stuff Captain is teaching me, head over to her blog, the Captain’s Log, for all the details. She’s got tons of tips and tricks for training a pup like me!

Until next time, keep those tails wagging and paws busy! 🐾