I thought about titling this post: What I learned this week.

Boy, I have a LOT to learn.

Earlier in the week on Instagram I wrote that Emmett was in the puppy equivalent of the terrible twos. In retrospect, I got lazy in my observations and training and so allowed the natural progression of boldness to take over rather than me working with it. It took a timeout (for me!) and some rehashing in my mind of what I was doing to shake this out, regroup and move forward.

Oh, and one overreaction to Emmett chasing some deer … not far and right back to me but it surprised me. I made the rookie mistake of repeating his name which only serves to teach him that he can ignore his name. *sigh*

So … future moments of “oh this looks far more interesting than you”, result in me turning, running and sing-songing happy sounds. Emmett follows. Yea – I AM the most fun!!

Still working on toning down the intensity of the Emmett-Auggie wrestling matches but it gets better every day – particularly inside. Emmett KNOWS he is not supposed to be too rough but sometimes puppy-brain gets the upper hand. But as I move to intervene, Emmett backs off and sits.

Leave it: I can now put a treat on the ground or in my open hand with the words leave it and Emmett leaves it, looks at me: click he gets the treat. We’ll work at this level with the treat closer and closer.

Down: so happy with down. Emmett does it when I ask to calm for Auggie interaction and has done it with public distraction.

Sit is solid.

We’ve practiced the leash lightly. Tomorrow a new harness arrives. Emmett grew out of the first, also out of his first collar!

For the record, Emmett was just under 8 pounds when I picked him up 8 weeks ago. Today he is 24 pounds.

Yes – Emmett has been part of the family Summers for 8 weeks! 8 weeks of fun and games and learning and joy.

Meanwhile: Operation Fuschia for the front porch

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon

Emmett LOVES to help with the watering…

And we stop and smell the Lupins!!

A beautiful Sunday!

See you later!