LEXI's first school visit...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

This is a long, photographic post...dedicated to the grade 3 learners at

RANDPARK PRIMARY SCHOOL.

(Above: Lexi is bathed, brushed, focussed and ready for her big day)

---xXx---

THE CHILDREN:

Lexi says a big "THANK YOU!"

Thanks to the graciousness of one of the teachers, Lexi was invited to visit a class of 35 grade 3 learners today.  We arrived at the school at about 10.30. 

We were welcomed by a sea of excited faces. 

In this post, I am going to allow the pictures to tell the story via their captions. 

(A special thank you to Nadia Michas for taking the photographs)

Lexi is introduced to the learners.

She is accompanied by her water-bowl, her toy piggy and lots of treats!

Hello everyone!

I had prepared a talk for the children - focussing on "Responsible Pet ownership". 

I asked the children how many of them had been bitten by dogs.

One of the questions from the children was "Does Lexi have thumbs?"  

I showed them her Dew claws and explained the importance of keeping nails nicely trimmed.

We chatted about: 
1. An introduction to Golden Retrievers in general.
2. What is a dog? (Anatomy,Uses, unique abilities)
3. Responsible pet ownership
4. Things NOT to feed your dog!
5. Some interesting facts.

Lexi commenced some 'one-on-one' time with the children.

The children were asked to form two rows, so that Lexi could meet them personally.

For some reason, Lexi took a great liking to Jason.

More 'Hellos'.

I practice Lexi's 'Down' command along the way.

Lexi decides she wants to sit between these two little boys.

I do some focus-work while Lexi is touched by the children.

Even pups need a short break to play.

This can be daunting work for a young dog...she knows that her safe place is behind me.

...but not for long:  Lexi prefers to listen to the talk...

I demonstrate the "Heel" command.

...and then the "Sit at Heel' command.

 In between commands...

 

...settling down while I talk some more.

Now we demonstrate the recall with the assistance of a volunteer...

Lexi performs the recall perfectly

In between all this work, Lexi gets lots of rewards.

Explaining to the children how to greet a dog:
1. ASK THE OWNER FIRST!
2. Approach from the side
3. Offering your hand to smell

Demonstrating how to give a dog a treat.

More happy cuddles.

Lexi says a special Hello...

Children are asked to form a full circle while Lexi weaves in and out... perfect for 'one-on'one' demands.

"Please come here, Lexi."

The Grade 3 Class, me and Lexi: 
MANY THANKS TO Nadia Michas for taking the photos for me and for inviting us to your class. Our goal of meeting 200 people before Lexi is 4 months old has been achieved!

 A special thank you to Marycke Ackhurst

QUILLQUEST GOLDEN RETRIEVERS for breeding this beautiful dog! 

Lexi at 14 weeks of age is a dream doggie!

We look forward to visiting all of you again soon.

Sending lotsaluv

UPDATE: LEXI's training and the Golden trio ...

Hello there to all our friends and followers around the world.

LEXI is 14 weeks old now ... and there is so much news to tell you.

How time is flying!  

She's growing by the day, loves her food and weighs in at a whopping 

11.4 Kgs.

 In the past six weeks I have applied myself diligently to orientating her towards her new life and home.  She has adapted well and is totally settled into our household.  She is loved by all our family members too.  Occasionally we are gifted with the odd 'accident' - left on the carpets - but her house-training is virtually complete.  "MY LITTLE SUNBEAM" is bringing plenty of sunshine into our lives.

(Above: A very wet Lexi sneaks into the house)

I am really grateful to Marycke Ackhurst at 

QUILLQUEST GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

 for entrusting this little pup to me. 

Lexi's relationship with the other dogs in the household is fabulous.  Toby and her are truly an 'item' and play for hours, while Aunt Tam looks on, graciously.  Where they get their energy from, I have no idea (Oh yes, it must be their 'Hills' diet), but they exude vitality, naughtiness and happiness.  The enjoyment we get from their interactions almost makes up for the many muddy pawprints left on our floors.

I have learned, over the years, that this early stage of a puppy's development is crucial to the ultimate disposition of the adult dog.  They are like little sponges - absorbing and learning every minute of the day - 24/7 - whether we are aware of it or not.  There is so much to explore -noises, smells, tastes, environmental conditions, moods and the people/animals/creatures.

   Like all puppies, she is  also a master at reading body language.  When it gets close to supper time, she practices her vocal skills with gusto.  Thankfully, when the actual bowl is presented, she is calm, sits nicely and is starting to offer her paw.  I am most impressed.

My goal of introducing Lexi to "200 people before the age of four months" is well on target.  I have lost count of the actual numbers of folk she has met.  We've been on car trips, to shopping centres, walks, etc, so we should be hovering comfortably around that figure. 

 Below: Yes, Lexi, those are children!

Lexi has commenced her puppy socialisation classes and enjoys them immensely.  She is a cautious, observant pup who develops confidence quickly.  This week she showed a lot more confidence  - venturing to interact more with the other pups (as opposed to using humans as her shield).  She is vital and energetic and  loves the 'Tunnel' at dog training. (Indeed she broke loose at one point to dart through the tunnel a second time - much to the delight of one of the crew members.)  

Lexi absolutely LOVES swimming and retrieving objects from our pool at home.  She throws herself into the water with absolute abandon.  She's a very brave and athletic little doggie!  

Diving in with carefree gusto...

  AN EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG SWIMMER!!!

 Admittedly, it's hard to divide my time between the three dogs with their very different needs.  In terms of pool retrieves however, there is already a competition developing between Toby and her as to who should be fetching the toy. 

TOBY, our "Sweet Hooligan" diving into the pool. 

 Above: Somewhere, in there, is a dog!

I think it's wise to set up some routine with pool games too: Toby gets his turn and then Lexi gets hers.  I need to be aware of situations which could potentially provoke jealousy.

During the day, I spend quality time with Toby - walking him around the neighbourhood and practising his own obedience commands. Once that's finished, it's Lexi's turn.

 She's doing very well with her basic obedience commands too.  She knows: "Sit","Come",  "Let's go", "Down" (Hand signal too - most impressive!) and we are working on the "Stand" command. 

I am aware that we don't have children at home, so today, I started taking her to the local primary school to get her accustomed to "miniature humans". 

  I am so thankful to have been invited to bring Lexi to a Grade 3 class of 35 learners towards the end of this week. (We look forward to that visit) Lexi appears to be very comfortable with the environment.  There were so many little ones who came to say 'Hello!'  

All-in-all, we have a happy, vital and well-adjusted puppy in our midst.  I am so enjoying spending time with her. 

 But I am also aware that we have three Goldens in our family - each with their own specific needs.  

Phew, what a task! But it's one I wouldn't swop for the world! 

Sending lotsaluv to you all,

VIDEO : Lexi (14-week-old puppy) shows off her water-retrieving skills

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

This is a short post today - 
For those who have not yet seen this video - enjoy!
Sending lotsaluv,

LEXI's first puppy class

(Above: Lexi spending time 'watching TV' AFTER her puppy class)

By Saturday 2nd March, all Lexi's necessary documents had been collated and emailed off to...

MCKAYNINE TRAINING CENTRE in Johannesburg.

 All the necessary boxes were ticked: 

Vaccination certificate, treats, water bowl, water, lead, collar and, of course, our little Sunbeam...

13-week-old "LEXI" !!!

We arrived at the venue with ample time to spare so that she could acquaint herself with the new environment.  

(Above: Lexi meeting the sheep at McKaynine Training centre)

McKaynine Training Centre is located in a farm-like setting with many distractions - sheep, ducks, other dogs, etc, etc.  The trainers are well qualified and under the guidance of the highly qualified animal behaviouralist and instructor, Shannon McKay.  If you recall, Toby did his own training at this centre, as well as his preparation for THE STAGE PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL, "ANNIE"  (click HERE if you missed it) so I was more than happy to return to McKaynine Training with our new little Lexi.

We parked our car below the main fields and allowed Lexi her first glimpse of things to come. She climbed out of the car - tentatively - and looked around.

 "What's this Maxmom?"

I am fully aware that our Lexi is a soft, sensitive little puppy and needs to be ushered into new environments gently. She's always a little timid at first, but once she's familiarised herself with her environment, then her confidence blooms.  Her first day at puppy school was no different.

 There were approximately 20 pups attending, (a large class with lots of distractions) but more than enough 'crew' to help and supervise the pups and their  handlers.

 The first class is designed to familiarise both pups and handlers to the setting and the whole idea of puppy 'training and socialisation'. There is a lot of talking and giving of advice in the first lesson, but it gives the pups the opportunity to learn patience and be encouraged to settle down next to their handlers. 

 Later in the lesson, when everything is calm, the pups are let off lead to explore and to play with their co-students.  At this time, the handlers are encouraged to stand still and not interfere at all.  

Lexi was a little tentative again, but more interested in exploring the array of humans that were present.  She is a friendly, happy and affable little pup.  

We then moved from the enclosure onto one of the larger fields.  Here the pups were encouraged through two different tunnels. For many pups, this exercise can be quite daunting, but Lexi was very happy to perform these tasks with confidence.  

Well done, my Sunbeam!!!

At the end of a happy lesson, we were sent home with a complimentary packet of puppy food as well as a DVD for "handler's-homework".  

My goal this week is simple - to reward Lexi for offering me calm behaviour in potentially excitable situations - eg, visitors at the front door or when I am busy in the kitchen.  Our puppy classes are approximately six weeks in duration and I know that we'll learn a lot of new things during that time.  We look forward to our next one this coming Saturday. But for the moment, it's time for a puppy cuddle:

Well done, my little Sunbeam! You've survived your first lesson.

Sending lotsaluv to all our friends around the world...