Max#1

Puppy pre-school was a piece of cake in comparison to puppy school. I can see that standing around for an hour (in this case, ankle deep in mud - there was one puppy so small he was nearly having to swim through the puddles - adorable!) - is going to be a feat. For my concentration as well as Max's! I do find, in general, if he's on lead and we're not doing anything he's pretty relaxed though (ps this is a nature not nurture trait that he just seems to have). He'll just lie down at my feet - though today I think he was trying to sneak over to the dog next to us by moving ever so slowly on his tummy, then stretching out on his side - and giving her the 'eye' to tempt her to play with him! Can I ask - what does ETA stand for? I've been able to figure out most of the abbreviations but this one still has me. As for exercise - we do a bit more than 5 min x his age. He's 4.5 months, and he can easily walk (gently ie a wandering stroll) for an hour - and from what I've read this is far too much! We are very lucky to have some very nice dogs at our local park that he can run with. I'm sure their owners, however, think I keep him locked in a box all day from the amount of running he can do. I'm noticing that as he gets older his stamina is increasing. Signs of things to come I'm sure! Koalathebear - notice the ears in the photo? Let's just say its been a very dark and gloomy winter for an autumn-born puppy and the sunbeams coming through the window give him all sorts of excitement and pleasure! He loves to watch, speak to, and then try to catch the dust particles flying around. (Meanwhile my tech-savvyness is pretty awful when I finally put together than Avatar is Avatar, and not some reference to *that* movie!).

Today was our first day at Puppy School. Not formal obedience yet, but out in a field on leashes - as opposed to indoors - as puppy pre-school was. We do a lot of 'training' at home (we can do sit, drop, stand, shake, rollover, play dead, speak, stay to a degree, off... etc) - and its a lot of fun. I love that moment when you see the light go on - ah! that's what you want from me! (As a side note I do some 'instructing' in my job and also get the same pleasure from seeing that light of understanding go on in student's eyes - that I encourage them with 'yessssss' is my own private joke!). Anyway, I was wondering what expectations we should have for training as our puppy grows up. Is there some kind of guidelines as to when they should know or be able to do certain things? I have read recently about puppy's not having good concentration spans and was curious about this. I know it will be breed dependent to some degree. Also, when it comes to exercise - I've read comments on here, usually in reply to someone else's comment, that a certain amount of exercise is too much for a puppy. How much is too much? (Okay my puppy, while a mixed breed, does appear to have border collie in him so....). Any sort of general advice - or pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

I can definitely relate to having a quirky little puppy! Its just so lovely! As for the reproachful eyes.... well... they win me over more than is probably appropriate! Luckily we're starting puppy school (or 'clown school' as my OH says) on the weekend. We both need training on how to train!

Its almost like 'whinging' for a chew! Oh to chew on something! And those hands in the video looked good! We were 'herded' by a working kelpie in the park the other day. She was very intense (those dilated pupils!) - especially when it came to the ball I had. Now Max is all serious work business when there's a ball to chase, but this was something else! I still think Elbie seems more like a border collie. I think the border collie genetics must be very dominant?

Are they 'coo's' (for lack of a better description) of contentment? Or is there another explanation? It was almost like he was purring like a cat! >koalathebear: not quite 'honks' -- the quest to capture the honk is still ongoing! I hope the link works!

Yeah I first started really reading this forum when I came across Elbie and the similarities were remarkable! Elbie is a few months older than Max - but so many of the things koalathebear has posted about I can really relate to. Unfortunately I haven't documented Max's progress as much as Elbie's has been - the challenge has been to capture the 'honk'! I do have a video of him 'making noises' to a new squeak toy - but not really sure of how I could share it.

I also have a puppy that will bark when doing training...... It seems to be out of frustration - if we're not giving commands clearly or quickly enough. For attracting attention its usually to the toilet paper roll in the bathroom (do I have the Kleenex puppy?)! With the barking its almost like he's 'back-chatting' (ie 'yeah I get it - come on' or 'hurry up I'm ready' or 'what the hell do you want from me!' - which is funny in that it is cute enough - but obviously not a good habit to get into. If it gets too much, then the audible sighs, moans and honks come out. I never knew such a vocal dog! And check out the cheeky face we get!

May be a bit too far North - but I have been going to the Ringwood Vet clinic and the lady who takes the classes is really great. You know when you just know someone loves dogs? In any case, the dogs love her!!!

So! I'm new here, and actually new to posting on any forums at all! But I have been following Elbie's progress with pleasure - mostly because I can so relate to everything that you've been saying - and because Elbie must be two months (I think) older than Max, its like getting a glimpse at the future! From the honking (yes! I never knew a dog to be so vocal!) to the being afraid of the rain - Max is a border collie x (lab). He's just over three months now, though sometimes I forget he's still more or less a baby dog! Anyway, he's fast asleep on his chair now, so a chance to actually write something! And I know the 'rule' is to put a picture when you are new - hang on I'll figure it out then do it! Done!