More on Maverick

Hi and happy Thursday.

Maverick had his third set of shots plus his lepto a few days ago. We didn't include the lepto at first because the breeder wanted him to get a little older. The vet was concerned tho, so at 15 weeks we gave a separate lepto shot. Maverick was very sore later that night. I tried to pick him up outside and he just yelped and yelped. I thought we'd have trouble getting him to come to us after that, but after puppy kindergarten last night, he was just fine again. Right after his shots, we stopped at the local retirement home to visit a friend who works there. Wow, did we have the visitors to her area. The residents and employees wanted to see him, pet him, hold him. We heard stories of the residents dogs and how he compares to them...He made a lot of people happy that day.

I used to do therapy work with a Bernese Mt dog we had and it was fantastic. She loved it the patients loved it, and I loved doing it too. Boy, would she be tired at the end of a therapy day. Just exhausted. I'm sure we will get Maverick ready to do some therapy work as well.

Puppy kindergarten was fun as usual. We did several new things last night. We had to hide from the pups behind a desk and call them...All the pups did very well except one other one and of course, Maverick. He decided to wander over and say hi to a few pups, but the instructor redirected his focus and he found me and got a treat and lots of hugs for it.
We also taught the sit/stay (three seconds) and the down/stay (also only for three seconds.) He did great. I'm always amazed at how quickly he figures things out. BUT, we had a contest to see how many downs you could do in a short time period, I thought he would win, but we couldn't use treats...Boy, as soon as he figured that out, it was do dice. I only got him to do 3!!!!! I think 6 or so was the winner. I really have to start weaning him off treats every time. Only one more class and we're done with kindergarten. It sure is a fun class. Bought a toothbrush and toothpaste. We trimmed his nails for the second time when we got home. Didn't go as well as the first. Have to work on that.

I was disappointed tho, as we were going to sign Maverick up for the Star puppy program offered by AKC. I missed the first class with pups (class #2) tho because I was thinking the classes were on Thursday. I had lots of pain in my leg at that time and wasn't thinking straight. I had a procedure done on Thursday and made sure I could go to class that night. Boy was I disappointed we missed it. They took registrations for the Star puppy program the night we missed and I never heard any more about it until last night. We found out that the class we missed was the one to sign up and there are no more chances. I'm so mad at myself. I did everything else you were supposed to do. So no star puppy certificate for Maverick.

I just want to say that when I told the vet Maverick was tender after the first set of shots, and now seeing how tender he was this time....the vet said we could give him a 81 mg aspirin to ease the pain. We live a little ways from any store, so I didn't go and pick some up. Now, I'm having that on hand in the medicine cabinet because it would've certainly helped.

Maverick has been coming up to us at night, sitting in front of us and barking to let us know he has to go out and potty!!! Wow. Stupid us,,,we just looked at each other and said "why is he barking so much" duh!! then it hit me......HE HAS TO GO OUT!!! Yeah.

until next time,
Jan & Jim