Harlow Started Puppy Class Today

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Today was our first day of Puppy Class at our local PetSmart. . She is still drooling like crazy during car rides, so we got to PetSmart early for her to settle a bit. There was a dog adoption event at the store and Harlow wasn’t too sure about all the noise at first, but after 5 minutes walking around the store she was pretty comfortable. There was 1 other puppy there, a Sheppard mix that is about the same age and size of Harlow. Both dogs were so mellow that the trainer stated the class appeared to be for geriatrics and not puppies. We had 1 small surprise during the class. A couple of huge Great Danes walked past the training area and Harlow growled at them. I have never heard her growl before and she has always gotten along with every dog she has met. The trainer used the encounter as a training opportunity. I am not sure what possessed Harlow to growl and I will be doing even more socializing to nip that habit in the bud.

After class we walked around the store for a bit more. I bought Harlow a toothbrush and doggy toothpaste as well as a wading pool. She did a bit better on the ride home; not as much drool. Even though I have a dog car seat cover, I still need to remember to bring a towel with us on car rides. The seat cover works great for protecting the seat, but it does absolutely no good for my soggy tee shirt shoulder where Harlow rested her head during the ride.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hannah was affarid of the Great Dane in her first puppy class, about half way though classes she finally started liking Paige and they would run and play together it was really cute to watch....

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Poor thing is carsick I take it. Hopefully she will get used to it. She was probably growling because she was wondering what a couple of horses were doing in the store - lol.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Have fun in PK. It was the best class we ever took. Just watching them grow is such fun. Take Harlow to all different place - Starbucks, bus stop, train station/ Have her meet all different kids of people - police officers, firefighter, public utility workers - give them treats to give to her. She will associate meeting/seeing new things with treats. How glorius for her!

[Debbie and Thomas]

The puppy training class gives them a lot of socialization-but you can't blame Harlow for growling at TWO GREAT DANES walking by. She probably saw them and thought "what the heck are those big things doing here with us puppies?" Even though Great Danes are known as such gentle giants-it was probably intimidating.