bonny, all my good pooch thoughts are yours. Kato is loafing in a supportive manner as well.

I wish, unfortunately, I have prior engagements tomorrow.

Kato is loafing in a supportive manner as well

Please give him an appreciative scritch for me.

I wish, unfortunately, I have prior engagements tomorrow.

Cheers. The stab, it was in the dark.

I'm sure it will be fine. I just need to scope out restrooms not connected to fast food places to I can take him in with me.

I'll be doing 'track training' with him for the first couple of weeks, which means he will be lashed to me. Plus, I'd never leave him tied up outside. Doubly because he won't technically be mine yet.

Yay dinner with NC-istas! Sad flea and smonster have migrated....though I also got to see smonster in New Orleans (and Nora and Tom!) back in September...

What is track training, Bonny?

My travel method with Mr Peabody is to stop at rest stops, run him around, snap him back in his car harness, and set records for speed bathroom use.

Best of luck, bonny! When I drove down this summer, I had an extra car key. So I'd lock the animals in with the car running, and then set a record for speed bathroom use. After letting the Frankster pee, of course.

Ginger, track training is a method of building rapport and expectation with a new dog.

I'll attach his lead to my belt, all day, for at least a week. He will be 'forced' to track my every move. During this time, I will be teaching him the 'watch me' command, which further reinforces the connection and sense of calm from knowing his 'job.'

This way, when we meet other dogs and people, he will know to look to me when he is in distress and to come back to me regularly for a 'check in.'

All other training will be much easier, once that bond is forged.

That is very interesting. I haven't purposely track trained Zoe, but she seems to know that one. We haven't gone for training yet, but she has one huge plus. No matter what she is doing, running with buds at the park, chasing birds or boats outside, when she is called, she instantly comes. I'll leave the door open while she is out in the yard and all I do is clap and call her name and she flies inside. I don't think I ever had a dog that would abandon play so quickly when called. It gives me he that she will do great in school.

I am packed! Alarm set for less than 5 hours. I am so ready for a long weekend away. House and work and parenting stress taking a toll. Now the trick is leaving it in Florida.

I'm afraid that would be a terrible shock to Mr Peabody, after my bad habit of letting him do whatever he wants.