GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...
Hello there to all our friends and fur-friends from around the world.
A special welcome too to our new South African readers...
it's great to know that you are visiting us!!!
As you might have gathered,
TOBY AND MANY OTHERS...
have graduated from their 6 week puppy class at
McKAYNINE TRAINING CENTRE
here in Johannesburg, South Africa...
It was a beautiful, sunny day as all the pups gathered at the centre for the final session of their puppy socialisation classes. We had about 20 canine participants in our class. They were all wonderfully supervised by their newly adept handlers as well as the numerous instructors from the dog school. Let's take a look at a few of Toby's class mates...
The biggest treat of the day was a walk to the little river, adjacent to our school, in celebration of the milestone. The pups were all on their best behaviour...
Toby (as you all know) is a
GOLDEN RETRIEVER!!!
That means...
he needs no second invitations to test the waters..
murky, sludgy waters!!!
Wonderful stuff!
There were numerous equally eager participants who braved the waters as well as a few who were happy to watch from the river bank.
After the dip in the river, the pups were put to the test with a 'recall' through the bush.
They were held in place by the instructors (with the red caps), whilst their handlers ran along into the bush and whistled/called them from a distance...
Our Basset Buddy... showed us all what a 'sedate' recall is all about...
BOL!!!
(For those who don't understand this acronym, it means...
BARK OUT LOUD!)
We all had a glorious time under the cool, shady trees.
What a wonderful way to celebrate.
Back at the training centre, we were in for another surprise...
The instructors had set up a relay for all the participants.
We were all divided into two teams and each doggie had to do three things at the three stations:
1. "Sit" nicely
2. Go through a small hurdle
3. "Down"
All the pups have made superb progress over the weeks!
In the picture below you can see some of the instructors in attendance
In the picture below you can see some of the instructors in attendance
(They are the ones with the red caps!)
This little spaniel pup was the brave 'first' one to try out the course.
It was turning into a very hot day, so some 'cooling off' was necessary...
Then we were all presented with our congratulatory rosettes...
I must tell you about a really special doggie amongst us all:
"Lotto"...
Lotto is a pup who was rescued by the lady below (in pink) from a rubbish dump.
His first 'home' was in a locked cage on top of that rubbish dump.
It is a story with a wonderful happy ending...
Lotto is now happily settled in his forever home and he also graduated today...
Congratulations "Lotto"...we wish you lots of happiness in the future!
Toby and I also have something to celebrate:
We have accomplished a wonderful 'personal' milestone...
I am thrilled to tell you that my pup has already learned to
"Talk on Command"
(This is a verbal "talk" and a hand signal - with my forefinger on my cheek - to indicate that he must bark)
As time goes by, I aim to also try and help him learn to accomplish both the "soft talk" and the "loud talk"...just like I did with "Maxdog".
Toby continues to follow in "Maxdog's" footsteps...
...and it is quite uncanny how much they look alike...!
I would like to take this opportunity of conveying my sincere thanks to
SHANNON MCKAY and HER TEAM OF WONDERFUL INSTRUCTORS!
at
You guys have been excellent, professional, helpful, friendly, knowledgable, patient, loving and caring towards all of us handlers and our animals. I feel honoured and proud to be associated with your school!
Both Toby and I look forward to the obedience classes in the new year.
You really have been great, and I feel so comfortable at your school!
What more could anyone ask for?
KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK!!!
For my readers who want to know more about McKaynine training, please visit them
(I would also like to thank my daughter, who took the wonderful photographs in today's post! Tx!!!)
Sending lotsaluv, thanks and lotsalicks...
42 comments:
Congrats Toby on your graduation!
I bet you graduated Magna Cum Laude of your puppy class!!
MinnaK
PeeS.......we think your classmate, Shorty, was just too cute! LOVE his ears. BOL
MaxMom,
Yay fur Toby and Yay fur you! I am doin' da boxer wiggle butt dance cuz I am so excited to hear dis news!
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
Congratulations to you both!!
Congratulations Toby. You have some cute friends
Benny & Lily
Congratulations, Toby, on a terrific accomplishment. Loved the stories about your school mates, too.
Congratultions Toby on your graduation!! That is terrific! You are growing up!! Your friends were all so cute too!!! Lots of love, Holly and mom
Congratulations Toby and Mom for all your hard work and dedication.
We know that this is just the beginning.
Sheila & Bob &
Hamish & Sophie
Well done my little friend. Thank you for sharing your big day with us. Your puppy school looked like so much fun, and you have your very first rossette too. I'm sure you and Maxmom can't wait to return there to learn more, and to catch up with some of your class mates again.
Woofs,
Riley
Congratulations, Toby, buddy! So proud of you. Such a good start, it's a lot easier to learn this stuff early instead of starting training at a year old like me. But if you can do it, so can I! Slurps, Tucker
Congrats, Toby! You\re ahead of me as I have never been to school! It was a real joy to read tday's happy ost!
Woofs,
Tommy (and the rest of the gang)
Congratulations you gorgeous gorgeous woofie friend.. You did so well.. Hugs GJ xx
Wow Toby, you have really grown up. We haven't been here in a while, so we haven't seen you. You are getting just gorgeous. Congrats on graduating from social school. Mom took me to school and we had the best time. I am a border collie.
Take care and have a great day.
You know, I remember how proud I was of all my pups when the graduated obedience - in Sam's case, on the third try. Congratulations!
Sam
Hey Toby, HUGE congratulations! But as for that 'talk on command' thing? You know what? I can do even better. I can talk without even being commanded. Soft and LOUD! Clever eh?
Toodle pip!
Bertie,
Congratulations, Toby! We are so very proud of you!
Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
PS Been following the rugby Toby?!
Hey little dude! Good job all graduating from school. That said, I think you still have a lot to learn, so don't go getting all cocky, OK? Like I don't think the humans appreciate the potty paper parties (but apparently it is a phase that all bad little puppies must go through, even ME).
And stay away from shoes and slippers. I know they are nommy, but not really supposed to be in your wee little toofers falling out mouth.
Slobbers,
Mango
Way to go Toby. You are a superstar in the making. I too am amazed at how I keep seeing Max in the Toby pictures.
Congrats to Toby and Mom - we can see how hard you all worked and how much you accomplished. Mom must be very proud of little Toby. You are so right, Toby IS a little Max. Just so very handsome.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Well done, Toby! Looks like you were tops in your class - on to graduate school next? Can't get over how quickly you're growing up...
Your pal,
Petey
Woo hoo!!! Little Toby is a graduate. And, it sounds like he's learned lots and lots of important things. I love that he will already talk when you ask him too.
I think that Lotto won the lottery!
And, I think that Toby has a crush on beautiful Ellie :)
Congratulations to both of you! I'm not surprised that you're doing so well. After all, you are MaxMom!
Congrats to both of you!!!!
The photos tell a wonderful story...almost like we were there with you.
M.O.M. has taught me to bark on command when she says "speak" and when she wants me to bark sofly she says to me "inside voice" and I can actually make a soft snuffling noise! She is very proud of me!
Hugs and wags, Mistaya
Toby
Congwatulations!!! I am so pwoud of you and youw fellow puppy gwadooates..it looks like you went to a wondewful school and I'm suwe that you wewe THE outstanding pupil.
Max must be pwoudly telling all his fellow angels about his baby bwofuw Toby!
I send you my smoochie pwoud kisses
love
ASTA and Mommi
Congrats to you, Toby! Just know that the training isn't over.
I'm so glad that Lotto's story had a happy ending.
Congrats to you both! Lotto looks like a very happy pup. Quite heartwarming :)
Kisses,
Emma Rose
Toby
You look so proud,,, and we are all so proud of you.
love
tweedles
congratulation Toby, you are the best!
Oh Toby. Well done little fella. You and your mum are very clever. No worries, Carol.
Congratulations for a job well done, Toby!
Thanks for sharing with us your puppy classmates. They all look so cute and adorable.
We are so proud of you, Toby. Keep it up.
And yeah, so true, you do look a lot like Maxdog. Enjoy your break while you wait for your next puppy school year.
Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max
Humongous Congrats, Toby on this terrific milestone! Loved seeing you and your new pals in all these wonderful photos! It seems that swimming, long recalls and an obstacle course are not your only talents! Hand-signal soft and loud "talking" are so advanced - you (and your mom) are truly amazing! Can't wait to hear about the obedience!
Hugs xoxoxoxo
Sammie and Avalon
Congratulations Sludgy Toby! What a great accomplishment! I am so furry proud of you! Your mom's daughter took pawsome photos. Your pup-mates in class were beautiful! I love looking at all the different, gorgeous pups out there. Thank you for sharing! And I am so happy you are learning to talk, just like Maxdog. He would be so proud of you! Keep up the great work!
Suka
Hi Carol and Toby,
Thank you for sharing the six weeks at puppy school with Ellie and myself. It was great meeting you and Max and very special being included into your world! We look forward to seeing you at school next year.
I cannot agree with you more - it was an AMAZING experience - wonderful instructors and the Chief was GREAT!
All the best for the bit of the year that is left-Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Love and hugs
Marezanne & Ellie
Congratulations, Master Toby! Good job! We second KB's comment. There is actually a lottery game in several states called Lotto, and little Lotto sure did win the lottery! Prize: life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
Jed & Abby
We are SO PROUD of Toby! Congratulations from us all. And we loved seeing all his classmates.
Thank goodness the little caged pup was rescued by that lovely lady. How can ennybuddy have been so cruel ~ it breaks our hearts?
Congratulations Toby on your big graduation day! Neeli is so proud of you and the rest of the puppies!
Woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples (1994-2010)
CONGRATULATIONS TOBY!!! You are such a smart little puppy dog. Your school looks like it's a fun place as well...none of the schools near where we live are as much fun as your school. Keep up the great work Toby....Maxdog would be proud of you.
AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane
Wow, it looks like they all had so much fun while learning! Toby does look so much like dear MAX. What a darlin' boy he is.
Graduation day! Yay! Congrats Toby!
We love your sludgy pictures, so so cute!
Congrats congrats Toby!!!
do come over to collect your award on behalf of the gang.....
chikisses
coco and tiffy
Hugs and cuddles from your Mimi, sweetie. I knew the minute I laid eyes on you that you'd be a star!
Lovely story about graduation day!
Toby you are a gorgeous dog!
Enjoy your life and share lots of stories with us, please!
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