Byron

[TwinTails]

New photos! Hazel I've uploaded these to my album

Here is my boy, pics taken today:





















It's funny, his eyes look blue in these pics, but they are actually gold rimmed, green interior and blue near the pupil. He's got purrrrrty eyes Thanks for looking!

[Ryan48]

Oh my gosh, he's adorable!!!!

Ryan

[Ryan48]

Makes me want a puppy. (smacks self hard)

R

[TwinTails]

Hehe, thanks Ryan! He's my first puppy, so it's a learning curve. But he's so good!

[edwina]

I have an urge to just eat him up
He is so cute

[TwinTails]

Thank you so much! I sure do love him!

[JanM]

What a beauty he is! and it looks like he really likes getting his picture taken too

[TwinTails]

Thank you Jan! He sure does, I think he just loves the attention

[Dee-O-Gee]

OM DAWG - What a handsome boy.

Can you please update us on here as to what aspect of training he is going through?

[TwinTails]

Sure! Right now we are working on basic commands - sit, stay, down, down stay, bring it, get it, tug it, paws up (touching paws to hands), no bite, give it, leave it, hurry up (#2), go potty (#1), shake (shake his body when he gets up from laying down). We are also working on target - touch a spot with his nose (this will end up being close door and lights on or off). The tug is to have him open a drawer for me (by tugging a rope on the handle). The retrieval is to bring me things I've dropped - keys, cane, etc, or to bring something I need (bottle of water, emergancy diabetic kit, phone, etc). He's learning to alert me to injuries - I have a lot of cuts on my legs that I often don't even realize are there. He noses them, holds his nose there until I look. I praise him and then we play a bit as a reward.

Outside we are working on desensitizing him to various sounds (this past week all the fire engines have changed sirens, so that is something we are working on). We live on a busy main street, in between the fire station and police station, and with several intersections surrounding us. There is constant noise of all kinds, so he's very good and doesn't spook with any of them. Also desinsitizing to smells and sights (lots of fast food places, garbange bins and restaraunts around here, with all kinds of people of every shape, size, race, etc).

Once we have the basics down we will be doing tougher things. We will be taking classes in March, for both basic and advanced obedience. I am planning on doing some shows with him (fun stuff, nothing that requires him to be intact). I think that will be a great release for him.

He is very good at all his commands, though I have to remind him now and then Of course he is teething and chewing everything, so I'm redirecting him to safe things to chew on. Potty training is very good! He goes outside when we're out, and uses papers while indoors. He sleeps 9 hours before needing to potty, so I can get a decent amount of sleep

He is retrieving things like mad! He brings me all kinds of things (including poop if I've forgotten to clean his papers, lol). He will fetch anything! He's very smart, and loves learning.

We do a lot of training every day, for short periods so he doesn't loose focus. I am taking him slow, as I don't want to push too much on him at once (I've been told that many owner-trainers fail because they expect too much too soon). I am going at our own pace, so hopefully he will be a great SD

[Dee-O-Gee]

Sounds like your on the right track TT

Are you doing the SD training for a certain foundation or is little Byron for yourself?

I had a friend that trained a black lab for 2 years for CNIB years ago. It was very rewarding as far as the accomplishment but was very hard to let go. :sad:

[TwinTails]

Byron will be my own SD I had actually gotten him a day or two before I found out that I could have applied to MIRA or Lions for a SSD (Special Skills Dog). But I need a multiple things, so it works better to train him myself

It's funny, because Gary and I are already talking about getting a second dog in about 3 years or so (from the breeder). We love her and her dogs, so we think once we have a house then we can get a "pet" (although I would like to show, so I may go for a show quality dog).

[growler~GateKeeper]

They grow so fast

[breeze]

He sure is growing fast!! look at those legs!!

He is such a cutie..

[ancientgirl]

Breeze took the words right out of my mouth. He does look like he's grown a bit.

What a handsome little guy. I just want to hug and kiss him.

[rainbow]

I also agree ....he has really grown. Is he a field lab?

He is just soooo cute.

[TwinTails]

Thank you Yes, he's grown quite a bit!

Rainbow, yes he's a field lab He's gong to be a tall heavy boy, lol! I can't wait!

[rainbow]

Yes, he is ....Chase is a big boy with long lanky legs and is 95 lb.

He could weigh more but I keep him lean because of the TPLO operations on both legs so we know his arthritis will worsen over time.

[Dog Dancer]

He's definitely a cutie! You sure have your hands full with all that training, but I'm sure it's such a bonding time also that it's got to be wonderful for both of you. Good job you're doing TT.

[pbpatti]

TT he is growing tall, I just love his markings on his face and legs, looks like a Labbie trying to be a Rottie.

[Winston]

Byrin is growing like a weed! Gosh I remember those days! everytime we had a vet visit Winston had gained 30 or more pounds each time!!

He says Hello from one Chocolate to the other!! This is one of my favorite pics!

Cindy

[TwinTails]

Originally Posted by rainbow

Yes, he is ....Chase is a big boy with long lanky legs and is 95 lb.

He could weigh more but I keep him lean because of the TPLO operations on both legs so we know his arthritis will worsen over time.

Oh wow! I hope Byron gets to about 100lbs or so (his dad is over 100, and is very large). I hope to do some showing with him too, just not conformation (Erleen, the breeder, says that the show people are very snobby when it comes to conformation, and her lines don't fit that "type", lol).

What is TPLO?

Originally Posted by Dog Dancer

He's definitely a cutie! You sure have your hands full with all that training, but I'm sure it's such a bonding time also that it's got to be wonderful for both of you. Good job you're doing TT.

Thanks! He is adorable! It is a lot of work, but it's so worth it! I know we will make a great pair Even if he eventually washes as a SD, he will still be a great joy in my life

Originally Posted by pbpatti

TT he is growing tall, I just love his markings on his face and legs, looks like a Labbie trying to be a Rottie.

Oh I know! Everyone asks if he is a red Doberman or mixed with Rotti. The people who have labs are shocked to see markings, but it opens them up for education I've actually had people say that they would adopt a mismark in a heartbeat, because they are so unique Erleen has had a black and tan born a few years back, and I think if she has any other born in the future I may adopt again I am actually learning a lot from her, and think I'd like to learn the ins and outs of the breed from her Maybe some day I will be showing my own lines

Originally Posted by Winston

Byrin is growing like a weed! Gosh I remember those days! everytime we had a vet visit Winston had gained 30 or more pounds each time!!

He says Hello from one Chocolate to the other!! This is one of my favorite pics!

Cindy

Aww, he's Gorgeous!! Byron says hi back

[TwinTails]

More pics from today

Showing off his bed (blanket and crate):



Yeah, I'm just that cute!



Gotta love me



The couch haz flavor...



Yes Momma?



I luvz you Momma, look at my new name tag!

[Spatx]

He's too cute! I adore his colouring, very unique! Awwww

[ancientgirl]

Oh my gosh, that last photo is adorable! Well, they are are!

[TwinTails]

Thank you He's got a couple of darker spots on his head (you can see in the last photo). He's too cute! Deffinitely unique

[aslan]

wow TT is he ever getting big and cuter by the minute..wish mine would sit that well for the camera.

[TwinTails]

Thanks Aslan! He sure is getting big! I don't have a scale at home, so I have no clue how much he weighs right now (need to get one, lol). He's getting heavy for sure, making it a pain in the back to pick him up, hehe.

As for sitting still...Well, I have to hold something yummy up, and click many many many times before I get a decent pic, lol!

[Ryan48]

Way too cute. I bet he snuggles good!

RM

[TwinTails]

Oh he does