Jaxx: 9 month old yellow lab

Jaxx here!

Well I have a lot of things to tell you. First of all I think I’m doing really good on several issues. FD tells me I learn quickly. I am good on loose leash, I walk “side” and heal on command.  I even untangle myself when the leash gets tangled in my legs. I no longer Bolt when I see a small animal like a squirrel or a duck in the stream. I do get very alert and FD says he is not sure what I’m going to do but I think I have him fooled because I just stay on alert until he tells me to “Let’s Go”. That is my command to get moving. In the house I still want to chase cat’s  but I am trying my best to break the habit and FD says I am doing better. I still do the occasional Alert Bark, Sometimes FD doesn’t know what I’m barking at but he tells me I am doing a lot better at this and no longer barking at my shadow. Being left alone in the house is another matter. I am an 8 1/2 month old Lab and I do what Labs do, I chew on things, anything. But I am improving and once I’ve been to the dog park or out for a big walk I usually just lie down and take a nap. This afternoon I snoozed on the floor beside FM for a long time while FD was outside doing things FD’s do. Even now I am snoozing but I did have a good workout at the dog park with a new friend Bullit. When the Foster Parents go away I go to my Crate but at night I get to sleep next to FD’s bed and he tells me I don’t even snore. In fact he needs to wake me int he morning.

FD thinks I am ready to be put up for adoption. He doesn’t like saying this because I think he really likes me and if he was a weaker soul would be a Foster Fail, FM even said I was “handsome” and even though she is not a real dog person I think she really likes me too.

FD says that I must be adopted by someone who will give me LOTS of exercise and most certainly an experienced Lab owner. Even though I like everyone it ‘s better if I don’t go to a home with small children. I’m a really big guy, 76 pound at last count and get a little excited. I get along with other dogs but like to play a little rough so another dog in the house probably could result in something getting broken.  I still need discipline and training but am willing to learn. When I came to live with my Foster Parents I was pretty much a WILD DOG because I had not been disciplined and been left to my own devices. I’m happier now and really feel useful. I do a lot of fetching and we work on  things like sit and stay, paying attention to FD, walking loose leash and not bolting every time there is a distraction. I even carried the newspaper to the house this morning, how’s that for being a good dog!!!

Here I am playing with my buddy.  I sure love to play.

Happy New Year!

Jaxx

Jaxx is really a great dog. It seems like I’ve had him for months and it’s only a day. He is my shadow. His obedience has improved dramatically. He does listen for treats and forgets himself sometimes and listens without the treats. He sits on command and when I’m putting on or taking off his leash, He no longer pulls like a champ and does heal and loose leash. We are working on “Look at ME” and “STAY” and he is getting the idea. He still sometimes bolts if he sees something that interests him but that is improving.

Yesterday we went to the Dog Park where he made 4 new friends and played himself out. We played fetch in the man cave last evening for a long time. He slept through the night in our bedroom, We got up early this morning and have had 2 big walks, and was content to be in his Crate while we went to Church. He does like to chew everything he is not supposed to chew but he is a Lab and that is what they do. He has finally left my stuffed Penguin alone and only barks at the Deer Mount occasionally. He is getting closer to the Deer. See Picture. Despite his numerous toys he has selected one of the cats cubes as his favorite. See picture. FM Deb told him this would happen and we would all laugh at him. We did laugh.

Stay tuned for the next update in the life of JAXX.

He is responding to look at me, loose leash and heal training as well as sit. We are working on stay but I have every hope that one will not be too far away.