Strider Update and Happy Thanksgiving

This is a Thanksgiving letter that Deb – Leaderdog employee and currently raising Strider for Leaderdog – sent to the other puppy raisers. Strider is from the B-litter Dux x Pala. Deb says where ever they go Strider draws a lot of attention because of his big head, rich color, and his friendly personality.

I understand four of the Gavin x Emmy pups just arrived at the Ft. Dodge to be raised by the inmates. Maybe Carol K. will give us more details?

Strider Update and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Hello All!  I hope you are enjoying the new “pointy ear” additions to the pack at Fort Dodge (and other places)!   I know they will turn out to be great dogs for us.

Strider continues to grow…as of Monday he weighed 67lbs and he is only 6 months old.  Unfortunately his brain has not kept pace with his physical growth so we are struggling this week with some of our behaviors, especially self- control! I take a deep breath and think that this too will pass…but around me some people are enjoying watching the struggle.  It is why it is important that I continue to raise puppies!  Then I remember that this is not an easy task!

Last month Strider and I attended the American Pet Dog Trainers conference in Cincinnati.  Only service dogs were allowed to attend, and Strider was the only guide dog in training puppy.  So we had 5 days of big city experience including lots of steps, elevators, people, bridges, statues and noise.  We got to walk across on a suspension bridge over the Ohio River that had a pedestrian path alongside the open grate surface the cars drove on.  This caused a humming noise as they sped by but it didn’t bother Strider at all.  We also got to go on a riverboat ride.  Strider was petted by Dr. Ian Dunbar, and Karen Pryor, both big names in the dog training field.  Of course he causes comment wherever he goes!

 

After our Cincinnati trip we had a puppy outing at Detroit Metro Airport.  The security guy who patted Strider down after he went through the metal detector thoroughly enjoyed running his hands through Strider’s abundant coat.  We went on 6 moving sidewalks which Strider was not sure he cared for.  He did 4 out of the 6…it is a tough one to train because if the dog stops and you step on it you are in a quandary for sure!  I am told there is one in a local mall that we may have to try!

Last Sunday Leader Dog had a big fundraising event called Lead In the Holidays.  Strider and I were invited to be part of the puppy parade.  Otherwise this type of thing is a little expensive for our budget!  Strider of course was a favorite of the guests and he did a lot of good PR for Leader Dog.  They took some pictures of him but they are copyrighted so I can’t share them with you!  Darn it!

Here is a picture of Strider at the Oakland County Fairgrounds, which has 100 fenced acres so we got to go for a nice off leash hike on one of the last warm days for this year.  He was a good boy, checking back with me regularly, while he was checking out the smells.

Here’s hoping you all have a nice Thanksgiving.  I would like to thank all of you for doing such a great job of raising puppies for us.  You are truly making a difference!

 

 

Here is a picture of Strider at 4 months to be used for Leaderdog promotions: