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We had a record early snowfall in Chicago this week, the earliest since records were kept in the 1700s. Oz enjoyed every minute of it before it melted!

We are attending a 6 week puppy class. Our first session was Thursday night. He is timid, but growly with new people so I thought this would be a very good experience for him and it was. He now definitely has a mind of his own and has started challenging me a bit, so this reward-based program is necessary. Conformation class is after my class and the vet who has the training center asked me to stay and let Oz be exposed to people and their grown dogs! He was intrigued and did really well. Being 40 lbs. on Thursday and gaining about 2 lbs. a week, I have to get basic obedience into his head quickly and I think seeing others do it also will enforce the teamwork idea as well as let him see that other people are not threatening. He is highly intelligent and prefers to stay by my side so, thank the Lord, he is not a leaping goof ball!

You will love this story. You remember how he stood up for Thunder at your house when Thunder was challenged by Sasha and trembled the whole time he was doing it? Well, in class there is a tiny (comparatively) Golden Retriever puppy and Burley, a 4.5 mo. old Standard Poodle. Burley is a exuberant, typical pup who was chasing the little girl all over the room. Oz was at my feet, watching. Soon he had enough of the poodle chasing the tiny 11 week old and leaped to action. He ran into play like a defensive guard and gently blocked the poodle so his little girl could get away. He let her pummel him while using his paws to keep Burley at bay, played guardedly, and then came back to lay at me feet. He won the admiration of all humans in the room. Even while playing, he keeps an eye on everyone in the room. He is a wonderful soul but very much guard-driven at an early age, so I will have to work hard to bring that behavior under my control. A little boy was there who was fiddling with everything and that unpredictability bothered Oz who barked to bring him into line. I hope his mother brings him again!

Regards to all, Lucretia