Hi, friends! Guess what? Captain and Commander packed up the whole family (that’s right, including me!) for another trip to North Carolina. We’ve been visiting a family member who’s been sick, but that didn’t stop me from keeping up with my training. Every day, no matter where we are, Captain reminds me how important it is to stay on track. As Martin Deeley says, “5 minutes a day, Monday through Friday, is better than 30 minutes on Saturday.” And Captain takes that seriously!

While we were there, I also got to explore some new places. We went to restaurants where I got to practice being calm and patient, even though all the new smells were soooo tempting! But the best part? Captain bought me my very own kiddie pool to splash around in after our long walks. Let me tell you, after walking in the Florida AND North Carolina heat, there’s nothing better than a good splash! The water was so cool and fun, and I couldn’t stop wagging my tail. Captain was laughing, and I knew I was making her proud.

When we got back home, Captain and I had a makeup group class. This time, I wore my Martingale collar because we’d been working on leash pressure earlier that day. As soon as we walked in, I could tell something was up. The trainer noticed my collar right away and didn’t seem too happy about it. Captain explained what we were working on, but it felt like the trainer wasn’t really listening. Captain was cool though. Even without her hearing aids, she kept her cool and didn’t let it get to her. She didn’t let it stop us from having a great training session either!

After the class, Captain’s friend asked a bunch of questions about leash pressure and training techniques. Captain showed her how it worked when we got back home. I loved showing off! Just a little bit of pressure, and I knew exactly what to do—no pulling or tightening. Captain says I’m a fast learner, and I believe her!

This morning on our walk, Captain was so proud of me. I stayed right by her side, and when I felt a little tug on the leash, I slowed down – I’ve never needed any “pop” from the leash. I checked in with her every few steps, making sure we were on the same page. When she stopped, I sat right down—okay, maybe the treat bag on her hip helped a bit, but still, I was pretty awesome, right? Captain says raising a big dog like me comes with a lot of responsibility, but she believes in me, and I believe in her.

To all my fellow pups (and their humans), Captain says it’s important to find a trainer you trust and a method that works for you. Whether it’s positive training, leash pressure, or a mix of both, what matters most is that we’re growing into happy, well-trained dogs. Head on over to the Captain’s Log to hear her perspective on the week!

Until next time, tail wags and pool splashes!

—Blake