"Hurry up."
I started training Maddie this week. Just some basics and especially getting acquainted with the clicker. Here is a video of Maddie touching a target with her nose, working on sits and downs, and some eye contact. I love her sit. She actually prefers to sit at this time. I have never had a greyhound that will pop up out of a down and into a sit, but Maddie does.
Maddie is kind of funny because she can be such a wild terror, but is very thoughtful and calm about training.
"Terror? I am an angel."
During the week, we mostly trained and played at my agility field. On Wednesday, we did go to agility class so she was able to see more people and dogs and hike the 20 acres. It is such a good place to tire Maddie out.
Puppy Pile On
Maddie is not lacking in confidence and tends to be too sassy. It is definitely time for someone to kick Miss Maddie's butt and knock her down a peg.
See that high tail set of hers? It is definitely something I need to keep tabs on. She is very stimulated by other dogs even when the other dog is not excited and not moving much. Maddie appears to be able to train around other dogs, but has a difficult time at just being casual and enjoying a walk, for example. She wants to dive bomb her walking companions. And how do they feel about that?
I think their faces say it all.
"Riley and Seven, that is what I thought. Please ding her. You have my permission. Just don't leave a mark!"
"I don't deserve that."
We also did a little gardening. I do not have high hopes for lots of vegetables this fall. Maddie would use my raised garden as cross country in-and-out jumps.
"I'm helping."
Lurking in Reagan's favorite bush.
On Saturday morning, I took Maddie and Seven to a busy farmer's market in a nearby town. It is a great place to navigate crowds, see lots of dogs, people, and children, and get a feel for being in the city, but with slower moving traffic and less noise. But still lots of great sounds to be heard and sights to be seen. Maddie did great and was always interested to see what was around the next corner.
"Are you my Daddy?"
Then later in the day, we went to Summerwind Farm for the annual meeting that folks can bring their hounds to. We had a lot of fun and I was able to introduce Maddie to a kiddie pool. She had no interest at first, but once I placed her into it, it was all fun and games.
Maddie loved it and she sure loves to jump too!
Maddie did very well at the meeting. We stayed towards the outside of the group just in case there were any high prey greyhounds attached to unsuspecting owners.
All in all, I feel very lucky to have Maddie. At first, I was very disappointed that the litter was so small. I had hoped there would be several females to choose from especially if we were driving all the way to Texas. I talked with her breeder. I decided to go ahead and have a look, but warned her that I may go home empty handed. She assured me she was fine with that.
Love that sit.
I knew there only had to be one right puppy. And maybe the universe was in some way working its magic by removing the clutter of too many choices and making sure I could not miss the right one.
Hidden Panther Puppy
I actually might have chosen the red boy if he had been available. There was something very Travis-like about him. Unfortunately, he had gotten a stomach bug the week before and he was not ready to travel such a far distance just yet (he is fine now). So as we drove off with Maddie, I felt I had a good pup and was satisfied, but I thought I might not have chosen her if the litter had been bigger.
Stalker Panther Puppy
Run
Maddie is one crazy puppy with plenty of toy and tug drive. She is very food motivated and enjoying all the new treats I have introduced her to. Even if she has eaten a huge meal, she still eats all the treats I offer her. She makes great eye contact. I think it is really all up to me at this point. I have the raw materials I need.
I think Maddie started the week off at 14.5 pounds and ended up at 16 pounds. Friends that see her once a week say she is getting big.... seems the same to me.
