Just got back from a training session at the CCSPCA, and this time I really got to work with some of the adoptable dogs.

I first learned how to get the kennel quiet by walking up and down the hall, stopping at each dog's cage door and standing patiently until they quieted down and sat. Then they got a treat. One of the dogs, a young Golden Retriever/Yellow Labrador mix named Chase had this down pat. As soon as I walked up to his cage, he'd stop barking and park his butt right on the floor. Such a smartie.

After that, I worked on leashing the dogs. The first dog I worked with was DeeDee, a gorgeous blue Pit Bull. She looked pretty darn intimidating with her short, cropped ears, but she turned out to be the biggest softie. She was so patient with me and sat there like a pro while I looped the leash around her head. I gave her a lot of scratches and rubs for being such a good girl. Here are her mug shots - just look at that Bully smile!:





Next was Hooch. This guy had me pretty nervous, not because he was a fully-grown Rottweiler, but because of his sheer size! He was a monster! His head easily came up to my stomach. But, like DeeDee, outward appearances can be deceiving, because he ended up being as gentle as a kitten. He sat so nice and actually helped me put the leash around his head. I gave him lots of love and treats and thanked him for going easy on me, haha. This is Hooch:



Wow, my first time working with the dogs at the SPCA and I work with a Pit Bull and a Rottweiler, skipping over the Labs and the Goldens, and even Chuckie, a doofy-looking St. Bernard mix. Actually, the loudest and most fearful dog there was a Collie/Sheltie mix named Buddy. Poor guy had been there since December and he was so stressed and fearful that he refused to come out into the front part of his kennel. Really pretty dog, too, but until he's able to calm down and connect with someone, or a rescue takes him out to work with him, he's not going to be adopted. :(

Okay, time to get washed up, pack, and head out to the 'Burg to see Dad and then Mom. I'm stopping at Sonic on the way there. Mmmmm, Sonic Burger.


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