They Really Do Know Come!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We have had several beautiful weeks here in Ohio, and by beautiful, I mean "DRY". The yard is no longer wet and muddy from all the snow and rain etc. Lucy and Sophie have been getting outside to play everyday. Our back yard is like a lake when it is raining and they love to dig in the water and mud, so they don't get to play all that much in the winter time. So, when I would call them to come inside it was always an ordeal getting them to COME. They just ignored me. Now that they are getting to play on a daily basis, they seem to come inside when I tell them to ...... I'm amazed. We have been practicing it as well. I'll call them in for a treat and just let them go right back outside. I also find that they aren't playing nearly as rough as they did when they didn't get out so often. They will run and chase each other for a few mins and then calm down and go exploring or just lay down in the shade. It has really been nice.

We also just took our 2nd road trip with them. The last one was just as they were turning a year old which was a year ago. They are wonderful in the car. They are laying down asleep almost before we get out of the driveway and they pop up whenever we stop. As soon as we get back in the car they go right back to sleep. This time we actually spent a night in a hotel. That was interesting for two reasons. One, they don't normally sleep with us. They sleep in their room on their doggie beds. (Their choice). Sophie chose to sleep on the floor on her bed, but Lucy wished to sleep right smack in the middle of the bed sideways. Made for an interesting sleeping arrangement. The other thing as their barking. Until everyone in our hallway got into their rooms for the night and it was quiet, they had to bark at every sound that they heard. But once the hotel got quiet, so did they and everyone got to sleep. Gotta give a shout out to Red Roof Inns as they were the only hotel in the area that would allow pets. I figured we would end up with a crummy room since they knew we had the dogs, but it was nice for a cheap hotel! No extra charge for the dogs either. Once we arrived at our friends home in Alabama they behaved very well. We were able to leave them alone in the house this time since I trusted them more than last year, so that we could go eat out and things. I couldn't have asked them to behave any better. So, momma was happy so everyone was happy ..... lol!

[Ann Kendig]

Glad to hear things are going so well! Hasn't this weather been heavenly lately in Ohio!!! I never thought our swampy yard would dry out!! We just finished beginner obedience and are now into our 3rd week of CGC classes. Our dogs are getting much better to responding to the "come" command though they have a way to go. Sounds like you had a nice trip. Isn't it wonderful to travel with your dogs once they get the hang of it. When we went to Florida in December I worried that the dogs would bark to much in the hotel room. They did pretty well and I was pleasantly surprised. When we met you at the romp in Columbus I was really impressed with how well Lucy and Sophie behaved. You and your husband have done a wonderful job!! It will be great to see you again at the romp in Loveland!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I love hearing these 'happy' stories. Your girls seem so well behaved.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Isn't it a great feeling when they behave! It sounds like they are great travelers. I just told Guinness and Murphy about what really good girls Lucy and Sophie are. I said..."Boys, I wish you could be more like Lucy and Sophie". It worked about as well as it did on my daughters. If they could have blocked their ears with their paws, they would have. Anyway, give those good girls big hugs from me and high fives from my boys.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Thrilled to hear that you had a great time away!! Glad they made it easy for you to enjoy yourself.

We are packing up today,DH car is being picked up by transport truck tomorrow and we are heading home Sunday. Not supposed to put anything in the car being transported but Charli got so big in the 10 weeks we are away that she needs more room to lay down. Samantha rarely is awake in the car but Charli gets bored so we stop more often to let them run.

When we first got here to Floriday they would bark at every little sound outside the room but as time went by they realized no one was coming into their domain that they totally ignore it now.

We are also getting better when calling from a distance - as long as they know there will be a treat to be had. So I stopped offering the treats all the time - usually they would come back my way but Charli is in that 10 month old stage that she suffers from 'Mommy hearing loss' but it is a work in progress. It's not so easy working in a different enviornment on recall - too many new smells, sounds and people but we are working on it.

[cheryl & oliver]

what two good girls!!!!....Most of the time these doodles are the best, of course I am sure that Lucy & Sophie have their moments, but isn't it great that they can make you so proud of them. Credit must be given to you for training them so well...and of course to them for being the wonderful babies that they are....

[Frannie & Callie]

Lucy and Sophie are such good girls and you've obviously done a wonderful job with them!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Way to go, Lucy and Sophie! Good behavior means lots more privileges and outings! You are such smart girls!

[Kathy Spyker]

Sounds like the girls are growing up. Glad you had a great time. Give them a hug for being so well behaved !!=-)