Exploring the World

We live in a big world full of interesting places to explore. Bucky and I have been making a point of discovering where we live.

I took Bucky with me to the YMCA.

First stop was quietly sitting in the lobby watching the Gym Rats stream through the doors and check-in for their work outs. Handsome and well behaved, Bucky attracts a lot of attention and smiles.

I was very touched when one couple came up to me and asked me about him and his program. They then pointedly looked at us and said "Thank you so much for doing what you are doing!"

I have had that happen to me about 3 times and feel very touched by the heartfelt sentiments in their message.


 Next stop was the pool. Once he got used to the chlorine smell, humidity and noises he sat quietly and watched the water aerobics class and lane swimmers. He came to the conclusion that he would like to be a contender for the Canine Olympics - after all, as a Golden retriever he is a water dog.

We then received a guided tour of the facility, including the running track, weight room, elevator, stairs and cafeteria. He received lots of attention, smiles and charmed everyone along the way.

We have taken him to Central Market grocery shopping. We walked through the produce, meat, fish, cheese and bread departments. He has the least distractions and does his best walking through the wine and beer section. Good thing! He is a champ.

One "older" woman came up to me and snarled "This is not a place to bring a dog." After digesting her comments, we decided to prove her wrong and practiced our training routine following her through the store - just so she could change her opinion and see how well behaved Bucky is.

He has also been to the Holocaust Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. He's not much of an Art Critic, but he does enjoy going where the other dogs don't get to go and showing off his fine tuned manners.

We did a Walking Tour through downtown Houston. We went through the tunnels during lunch hour - and the lights, noise, smells and people did not phase him one bit.









We then took an elevator to the Observation Room on the 66th floor of one of the buildings. He rode the elevator like a pro and gobbled down his treats - just so that his ears wouldn't pop - of course.


When we got off the elevator he walked right over to the windows to check out the world. He was fascinated with the cars 66 floors down. I think he thought they were leaves blowing in the wind - unfortunately, chasing leaves is one of his downfalls.

There is just no limit to the endless possibilities of interesting places to go and explore. As we say - "Have vest - Will travel!"

Bucky's PR Work Continues...

Bucky enjoys getting out and doing PR work for SEGDI.

Last month he went to St John's high school to encourage kids to volunteer in the community. He is a big advocate of going to school and working hard - he's very proud that he'll be going to college after completing a year of "homeschooling" with us.

He also helped spread the SEGDI word at the Grand Opening Celebrations of a big new modern vet facility. There were lots of distractions like: music, food, cats, dogs, people, younger puppies and BLOWING leaves. He even got to meet a working Guide Dog that was with his blind partner of 8 years. It was so inspiring to see and hear how much Guide Dogs help their vision impaired partners.

Keep up the good work Bucky!

Arrrrrr, Bucky, Have You Ever Been to Sea?

Our Puppy Raisers group had an outing down the Houston Ship Channel. Eleven dogs under the age of 16 months loaded onto the Sam Houston boat.

Bucky had no problems finding his Sea Legs. He LOVED watching the seagulls and having the wind in his face.

I was so proud of Bucky - and all the puppies. They were all well behaved dogs.

A great day was had by all.

Perhaps Bucky might have been a pirate in a previous life......

Puppy Camp

Bucky went to Puppy Camp from January 3rd to 12th.

Its part of SEGDI's (Southeastern Guide Dogs) training program, where the puppies stay with another raiser to experience a different family and different routine. Its also an opportunity to check in and see how the puppy is progressing - through a different pair of eyes.

Highlight quotes of Bucky's Puppy Camp:

• Housebroken exceptionally well! Never a problem and flexible about his schedule. Excellent bladder control.
• Sit- excellent! A slight touch to the rear is all the reminder that he needs if he is distracted.
• Sit-stay - very good
• Down-stay - very good, even with distractions near and far
• Recall - awesome!!! On and off leash (in the house or enclosed yard)...always happily comes 
• He is very well crate trained, sleeps quietly, and never gets up to come out of the crate until you actually open the door and then call him.
• His stair behavior is awesome! Almost always on your left and usually keeps up with you very well both up and down...never trips you.
• Bucky knows no strangers and everyone who came anywhere near him oohed and ahhed about how beautiful he is. He attracts attention everywhere.
• Bucky is a sweet, loveable boy
• Overall...awesome dog to have around!

Not that I am super proud of him or anything.... BUT - I AM super proud of him!

Okay, so there has to be full disclosure. There were some things he needs to work on.

• His stomach - it can lead the way. Without a doubt, he is a forager. But hey, he's a Golden and its not his fault.
• Meeting dogs and people without doing the "Frog Dog" - where he lies flat as a pancake - and then people generally go "awwwwww, he's so cute.... can I pet him?" (Bucky says "Mission accomplished!!!!")
• Getting into and out of the car without putting on the breaks and/or doing the Frog Dog routine.
• Leaping after blowing leaves or vagrant Dust Bunnies.

  Bucky asks - "Hey, who's perfect?"

 

He is doing so well for a 7 month old puppy that has only been in training for 3 months.

We're super proud of him!

Getting Bigger

I'm not too sure how much longer John will be able to do this for.


And not too sure how much longer Bucky will let him do this.


Sometimes parents can just be soooooooo embarrassing!

Checking out the Guide Dog harness

  

 Daisy, one of the other Guide Dog puppies will be going IFT (In For Training) in 2 months. She was introduced to her leather training harness at the meeting on Sunday.

The harness will be phased into her training, so when she goes to College in March, she will be accustomed to wearing it. Most dogs end up loving the harness, because when it goes on, it means they are going out! They learn to recognize that when they wear it they can go where other dogs can not go, and they also learn that with that privilege comes a higher level of responsibility and accountability - they are working! Its pretty amazing.

Bucky figured he'd get a head start and check it out. I guess he's still a bit young for it - it looked like he thinks it could be a great chew or tug toy. Bucky - that is not allowed!

 During training we did an exercise where we swapped handlers/dogs and one of the other raisers took Bucky.

Bucky behaved so well with his new handler.

John and I stood there looking like big fools with gigantic grins on our faces.

Not sure if Bucky was as proud of us as we were of him!?!?!? We might have embarrassed him?


I think she liked Bucky....... :-))

Houston Marathon

The Houston Marathon route runs by our neighbourhood and we figured it would be great exposure for Bucky to check out the action.

Despite the noise, crowds and commotion, little Bucky was a champ - he carried on like he does this everyday.