2nd Swimming Adventure

Kingsley fit into Gretel's life vest today, which was way too big for him two weeks ago!  He did great adjusting to wearing such a bulky thick vest.

Getting into the pool overwhelmed him a bit, because our friends with four Chocolate labs were there already.  But once inside he settled in and did more exploring than he did the first time!  He got in to his chest, but chose to stop there.  I didn't force him and just let him explore and hang out while there!  He is definitely hesitant around new dogs, so we will continue to hang out with nice dogs to allow him to learn that they are safe and fun even!

Later Kingsley met my good friend, and co-director at PAD, Cory and his wonderfully well socialized and calm Pit Bull, Moose.  Kingsley was unsure when Moose wanted to play, but I know in time the two will become great friends.

Tomorrow we will be doing our best to take the day off and just relax together!

Sound Sensitivity (or lack thereof!)

Kingsley has just been showing his confidence left and right lately!  Last night a terrible storm blew threw and woke us all up around 4am...well, everyone except Kingsley that is!  He slept right through it!

This morning we found our yard a mess.  A big oak tree we enjoy shade from had split, causing a large branch to come down through the yard, and just tons of leaves and things everywhere!   Kingsley spent the day hangin out with me, while my dad and brother sawzalled everything and made piles!  He didn't mind one bit!

Later some not so very bright neighbor behind our field decided to light of large (sky high) fireworks for an hour.  Kingsley had no interest, no worry or concern about them!!  He's just as cool as a cucumber!

We're off to the canine pool again tomorrow!  Til then...stay cool!

Olive Garden and MORE!

What a memorable day today was!  Kingsley was just wonderful, again!  We did note that he is very distracted by his reflection, which he tries to get to play with him!  We'll have to set up some more training sessions around mirrors!

We had lunch at Olive Garden with my best friend, and her six month old daughter, Josephine.  Both Joey and Kings were great - and lunch was fab!  I couldn't pick just one picture, so here's a collage I made!

The two of them just absolutely LOVED each other!  It was so sweet and endearing!  Kingsley was very appropriate, and Josephine greatly enjoyed the kisses he gave her!

After lunch we went on a few shopping errands, which was a LOT of in and out of the van and Kingsley did great.  He pottied on cue, and walked very nicely on leash.  He did two or three greetings and was perfect for all of them!  He REALLY seems to be understanding the difference between working and off duty!

Here is the rest of the day in pictures!

L to R:

1. Kingsley's taken to laying against my wheelchair in the van!
2. Showing us he doesn't need to potty again
3. Checking on my very swollen feet, not worried just responding
4. My first time handling him in public!  At the pharmacy
5. Handling Kings myself again, this time in check out
6. Very bored, at Radio Shack
7. First time walking on a coupler, with "big" brother Rayhill!  Rayhill, 6 months old - Kingsley, 14 weeks!

Wind Down Wednesday

After Kingsley (and my) big day yesterday, we decided to take today easy.  I worked with Rayhill, and taught after that, so he practiced being crated in my room without me (easily his least favorite thing to do).  After that we did a few clicker training sessions (attention, recalls, sit, down and up) and then we went outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather and keep my mom company while she did yard work.  Kingsley did get exposed to another new experience though!  Fire!  We burnt about..6 trash bags worth of trimmed branches and ivy.  He was not phased, and quite bored with that fact that I monitored the fire for almost two hours! So today, that was his big experience :)

sorry for the finger in the photo :)

Tomorrow we're going to the Olive Garden for lunch with my best friend, and her infant!  I am just delighted to make plans with him, because he is always so wonderful to be with!

On a side note, I want to thank my friends who has been reading and supporting me in writing this blog.  It means a great deal to me and I really love you all!  <3 

HUGE Training Day - part 2

Today Kingsley went on an adventure while I taught an owner training class for a team with PAD.  It was about 3 hours and he experienced DOZENS of new things.  I think we'll do the blog in photos, over two entries - this is part 2 - enjoy!

My mom, who helps me train Kingsley and Sir K!

Break time out of harness before dinner downtown!

I let Kingsley investigate the small pond, he was more interested
in hanging out with me or napping though!

Kingsley's first time working in traffic downtown Lititz!

Another WONDERFUL dinner out with Kingsley.  He is very
quick to settle next to my wheelchair for the entire meal!
Tonight a Guide Dog team even walked up to us and he stayed down!

Kingsley by the door of my favorite restaurant.  He was
exhausted as we all were so I only took one quick snap of the picture.

HUGE Training Day - part 1

Today Kingsley went on an adventure while I taught an owner training class for a team with PAD.  It was about 3 hours and he experienced DOZENS of new things.  I think we'll do the blog in photos, over two entries - enjoy!

Preferred location, next to me, in van

Walking over a brick bridge, over water with ducks

Sitting with attention

Walking over a wooden bridge (plus the step)

Practicing walking on stairs

A stellar photo!
This is a section of the AKC Canine Good Citizenship test
It shows self control and appropriate friendly dogs when
out on a walk!

This is an auto-settle, when the handler isn't moving, Kingsley is learning
to not move either!  Look how great he's doing with all that action!

More stair training!

Kingsley did a great job, especially at checking back with me, and on me over all.

Relaxing while we shop at Wilbur Chocolate Factory

Kingsley poses with PAD Soren (11 mo) in the museum
at Wildbur Chocolate Factory

Tether Training and Fan Page!!

In the morning it takes around 2 hours for me to get ready and into my wheelchair.  This is an important time for Kingsley to learn to relax and lay out of the way.  He's VERY young, so I've introduced him to tether training!

Gretel kicked him out of the bed near the tether, but he doesn't seem to mind sleeping right beside her.  Can you believe he is 14 weeks old, and that big next to 6 year old Gretel!?  He is doing great with the tether training, which helps over all with self control and even is the foundation to separation training!  He isn't fond of me leaving the room while he's tethered, but on his 3rd day of tether training he's already showing great improvement!

In other news, Kingsley's now on FACEBOOK!

  

You can find him by going here: 

www.facebook.com/KingsleySdit

Once there (and logged into your account) click "like" to become a fan and his updates will appear in your news feed then!

A Beautiful Gift for Kingsley

This week, Kingsley and I received an incredible gift from our friend, Shoshana.  She ordered Kingsley a unique copper service dog tag for his collar.

Words do it no justice!  

And the tag looks absolutely stunning on Sir Kingsley.  He wears it ever so proudly. 

THANK YOU SHOSHANA!  I will cherish this tag forever and always think of you when we see it!

Interactive Toy!

I spent the majority of Saturday getting ready for Rayhill to come back for a minimum of 10 days.  In doing so, Kingsley was introduced to our easiest interactive toy, which I put kibble in to feed my dogs on busy days, instead of a bowl.  This helps to stimulate them, work their brain and sometimes just get them moving, too!

Enjoy the video of Kingsley playing with the Orbee-Tuff Maze!

Kingsley's First PAD Meeting

Today Kingsley accompanied me to a meeting at Barnes and Noble with local canine bakery, Two Pups Pastries.  He was perfect!  He walked through the parking lot, waited while I chatted with a friend I ran into, and then had no problem traveling through the double doors and into Barnes and Noble where we found a table in the café to sit at.  We were there for about two hours, and he was an angel the entire time!  Lots of people oohed and aahed at him, and he'd merely lift his head to acknowledge them before going back to sleep!

"auto settle" at Starbucks café in Barnes and Noble, 13 wks

After the meeting we took the opportunity to do a short training session in the near by Petsmart.  We parked a bit away from the entrance, and walked to the potty area first.  He enjoyed the sniffs but wasn't interested in going, so we went inside to walk around.  He did wonderful loose leash walking on his flat buckle collar.

So we made our way to the birds, where he thought he was supposed to practice his "auto settle" and quickly offered a down.  We showed him the birds and encouraged him to check them out.  If he could of talked to us, i'm pretty sure he would have said "I had duck neighbors at LoCo Meadows...what's the big deal!?"

Silly boy was completely unphased by the entire experience.  We stopped to talk to a family that had an 8 week old Shih Tzu, which they allowed him to meet.  He had no interest, and just hung out in a "sit" while we talked for a few minutes.

So afterward, we got back to the van and I decided to see what his reaction would be to getting in on the side of the van without the wheelchair ramp.  Silly me, he just hopped right in!  Our last stop of the day was back at the hospital to drop off some magazines, and a tug toy for our friends service dog.  They've been in the hospital about a week so we figured they could use some new things to do.  Kingsley remembered the parking lot, and went straight to the grass where he had been permitted to potty last time.  He sniffed a bit, then sat looking at us, so we headed inside.  Again he did wonderful, but this time I am happy to report he didn't hesitate what so ever getting on the elevator either time!  Woohoo!

We also had our first thunderstorms this evening, and he had no change in behavior what so ever.  He wasn't interested in going outside in the pouring rain (and I mean, BUCKETS for rain drop, style pouring...) but none of my dogs were, so I didn't blame him.

He's an incredible blessing in my life, and I cannot believe he is mine :)

Toddler Training

Today Kingsley worked on his few cues he knows, then we took a break outside to play (not for long though, because it was another 95 degree + air quality warning).  After that Rayhill the Aussie's partner came to pick him up for a visit until Saturday.  He did much better at remaining calm while company was over (not that he's ever wild!) and is doing really well staying with me when company leave the house (he doesn't try to follow them out the door).

We did another little training session and then he took an hour nap - directly against my wheelchair - while I gave myself a manicure!  After that my brother came over with his family, including my two year old Godson!  Kingsley was initially off leash, but was more interested in Quintin than Quintin was in Kingsley, so I put him on my leash on my wheelchair.  This solved the issue and in no time Quintin was giving Kingsley treats and playing normal!  Kings spent about 3 hours on leash with me while we played, ate dinner and cake, and then danced to Q's favorite "Choo Choo Soul"!  Kingsley wasn't phased one bit!

Watching Quintin play.

Tomorrow will be another big day for the little man!  He's going to accompany me to Barnes and Noble for a meeting with Two Pups Pastries!  I have no doubt he's going to do wonderful, as usual!

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Special Boy, For Sure

Kingsley got the day off since he had vaccines yesterday, but worked really hard at home.  We started the day out with a training session (up, off, sit and his name) and then we introduced a new idea.  Since I work w/ so many other dogs, it is really important that Kingsley can lay quietly while I train other dogs.  He did AWESOME letting me train Rayhill the aussie.  Kingsley simply slept next to my chair and happily ate a treat dropped at his paws randomly!

Later, while outside, Kingsley surprised me incredibly.  Gretel was really worked up and wanted to play ball very badly.  It was 95 degrees out, so I was not going to let her run.  She was very persistent, and eventually leapt up and landed both paws on one of my feet causing extremely bad pain.  I quickly cued her off but she was so focused on the ball I had to move my chair to get her down.  Kingsley got up from laying in the shade, came around to my right side, climbed onto my footrests and laid his belly gently over my feet.  He then tucked his nose against my leg, and stayed there for quite some time.

I don't quite have words for his response.  He was very deliberate, very gentle and very aware.  He remained there for so long, and looked around to verify that Gretel wasn't close to me when he got off of my feet.  He truly amazes me already.

After I taught class later, I brought him out and let him play with 9 month old chocolate labrador, Biscotti.  They had a lot of fun and then simply napped together. 

Good boy, Kingsley...good boy.

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ID tag :)

I picked up an ID tag for Kingsley at That Fish Place and love it!!

Kingsley's First Vet Appointment

What a big day for Kingsley!  He had a wonderful ride to the vet (about a 35-40 min drive) and once again loaded into the van independently and rode quietly!  He also chooses to chew one of his two car toys, versus something inappropriate like the carpet of a part of the van! 

Once we got there we walked around a bit, because the vet is along a busy highly traveled road in the Hershey, PA area (especially around 5pm).  The load trucks worried him a bit but he sniffed for his potty break normal, and walked nicely into the vet.

Once inside we took a seat over to one side, in a small room area.  There were two out of control border collie mixes that were literally acting WILD (reminded me of walking through a badly run shelter, with the dogs being kenneled too much).  They worried Kingsley, so we just sat quietly and reassured him that he was not in any danger.  I was relieved to see him quickly relax, and happily greet a Westie, and later a Pointer! 

We waited about 20 - 25 minutes, but while waiting we got on the scale and he now weighs 24.8 lbs!  I expected him to be a bit more, so we re-weighed him, and it's correct!  We also went over to where they keep a kitty in need of a home, and Kingsley was very sweet, play bowing and giving it space.  

Once back in the exam room we removed his working harness.  He didn't need anything done with  the Vet Tech, but since I don't have a guy living in my house, I had Jed the tech hang out and pet Kingsley for a minute.  Of course, he loved him!  

Our veterinarian came in very quickly, and couldn't say enough about how much he loved him - and standard poodles in general!!  The exam went awesome, he had no issues with the loud elevating exam table, and even took treats from the vet!! 

Kingsley, 13 weeks, standing for exam

After the exam we put Kingsley's harness back on, and waited for the vet to clear us to leave.  We wait for two reasons.  The first is to have the stool sample processed and cleared, and the second is for the puppies to have adequate time show if they are going to have a reaction to the vaccines or not.   After 15 minutes we got word that everything was clear and since Kingsley was having no reactions, we went into the waiting area to check out. 

While checking out Kingsley met a 4 year old female Pointer, that was a show dog!  He was wonderfully appropriate in meeting her.  She didn't feel well (only a hot spot, but was definitely not a happy girl) and Kingsley gave her space and laid nicely at her feet!  I WISH I HAD GOTTEN A PICTURE!!  But I was so happy watching the two of them together, and talking to the owner, that unfortunately I forgot to :(

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Average Monday, Exceptional Puppy

Mondays mean work here, and Kingsley has settled nicely into my work schedule, as you can see below :)

He has an entire office to explore, different toys to chew, and lots of things he realistically could get into, but he chooses to lay by my side most of the time!

He's doing rather well the past 4 days with potty training.  We've only had a few accidents here and there, but the biggest improvement is the duration of time it now takes to "go wee wee *french accent*" outback has significantly decreased!  He's definitely getting the idea of going on cue!  After he's done he loves coming back to me for a snuggle :)

After I was done with my work I had to make some phone calls, so Kingsley got his first antler chew!  He was in heaven chewing on it, and enjoyed trying out different chew methods - holding it with two paws, chewing it up in the air in his mouth, and sliding it around while nomming on it.  Silly boy!

We did a few training sessions today, and he has the verbal for "up" which means to put his front paws on my wheelchair, set.  He is really improving with the verbal for "sit" and we just started "down" today.  

Tomorrow he goes for his first vet appointment with our clinic.  I can't wait for everyone to meet him!

Always By My Side.

Sunday was mostly a nice down day for Kingsley and I.  He stayed home with my mom while she gardened, while I went to visit my dad for Fathers Day.   She said he was great, but seemed to look for me on and off.  She tried to nap, and put him in the kennel but he wanted NO part of that and barked and cried until, one hour later, she finally got him out and took him outside to potty.  He is still doing great sleeping in his crate overnight though!

When I got home I was greeted by a very happy to see me, puppy.  I have really noticed a big height growth spurt too!  He can almost reach my face for kisses now!

My family, friends and I are all amazed at how well he has continued to bond with me, in spite of my physical limitations.  I can't feed him his meals, groom him, or play much with him - and yet, he undoubtably stays by my side.

Good boy, Kingsley.

Hospital Visit and New Canine Friend

Saturday night after we all recuperated from the Market and the Pool, we decided to go down to visit our friend who is in the hospital with heart complications.  Kingsley was going to be handled by my good friend and fellow trainer, Alicia.  This was a great chance for me to see how much his great public behavior depended on my mom handling him.  He - yet again - did awesome!  Got dressed and walking into my van nicely, and rode in the van quietly as he has for about a week now!  We stopped at our local Starbucks first for lattes and he was a champion.  He ignored the public (even the rude man that ignored me telling him not to pet Kingsley) and had no issues with the loud latte machines!  After ordering I chatted for a few minutes with the barista, who is a good friend of mine.  Alicia walked over to wait for our drinks, and he froze for a moment not wanting to leave me.  Alicia crouched down and called him excitedly and he quickly recovered and trotted away with him!  Here is a photo Alicia snapped while waiting for me:

After I came over, we sat down with our lattes and enjoyed a few minutes of peace and quiet.  It wasn't 10 minutes before Kingsley showed how much he too, was enjoying the peace and quiet!  He actually fell into such a deep sleep, he began running and yipping in a dream!  The Starbucks wasn't overly quiet either.  The staff was having a good time, laughing and goofing off, and there were two other groups of friends inside!  Good boy, Kings!

Where he really shined though, was our visit with our friend in the hospital.  He did great walking through the parking lot, and only hesitated a mere 1-2 seconds to go through the sliding glass doors!  We navigated the hospital, and though we picked him up when he hesitated to get into the elevator, he was fine with it moving and walked out of it calmly!  There were a lot of people around the hospital, as well as big cleaning carts and lots of sounds.   He wasn't bothered one bit!  When we asked him to say hi in the room to our friend, he put his paws on her bed and looked up at her!  We lifted him and he quickly found a spot in her arms to lay down and fall asleep.  She said it was the happiest she's been in days.   We left for a few moments to get something from my van for my friend, and Kingsley quickly remembered why he was there!  Upon entering her room, he went directly to her bed, and put his paws again up on her until someone lifted him to the bed.  He was eager to snuggle, and we joked that he thought he was supposed to stay and care for her!  <3

PAD Kingsley, 12 weeks, with friend Élise in the hospital

So, the other great part of the weekend was watching Kingsley make great friends with my friend Alicia's golden retriever, Terp.  Terp stays with us anytime they are visiting from Maryland, and I was hopeful they would bond as well as they did!  I am eager to watch their "friendship" grow!

American Pest - Bed Bug Detection dog Terp, and Kingsley

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