This is blind Shep, the dog who arrived from Afghanistan at the end of May, out and about this afternoon for some leash training with his "coach," Jennifer J. from Portland, Oregon. Jennifer has been a fabulous supporter of the ranch and was here this weekend to lend a hand. She also brought some Portland weather with her -- lots of rain, which here in the dry Rockies we are always happy to see. One of Jennifer's projects today was working with Shep on his leash skills, something we started doing shortly after he came.
Shep is doing really well and is quickly figuring out how to walk quietly on a leash without getting tangled up underfoot. (When you're blind this takes a bit more practice.) As you see in this next photo, though, he also had some ideas of his own on how this is supposed to work:
Shep's two weeks in isolation are about to end, and in a couple of days he will be able to meet and play with the other dogs. But meanwhile there is this leash thing to master, so up and down the wet drive they went, teacher and student:
I read the post Leash Training 101... Is that your home... Nice place... Im impressed...I had a lot of problems with one of my dogs and I had no idea how to deal with it. My dog would bark constantly, break everything that she would get her mouth around, steal food from the table, run after cars. She even tried to bite the neighbor's kid. I was so frustrated with all her annoying behaviors that were driving me crazy. I got sick and tired of not being able to control her. I couldn't stand the idea that I was going to spend years to come with this mad dog.
Posted by: Mariya | July 11, 2008 at 02:57 AM
That middle picture of Shep and Jennifer is too precious!
Can't wait to hear more about Shep's adventures. Thanks for all that you and Alayne do! :)
Posted by: Kristen D. | June 09, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Shep looks like a real sweet, gentle pup. Thanks for taking him in. Can't wait to read more blogs on Shep!!
Posted by: Carisa | June 09, 2008 at 12:56 PM
What a good pupil Shep is!
Thanks for the help Jennifer!
Looks like a beautiful day in Montana; the contrast in colors and the clean rain make the lands pop with life.
Posted by: Boundforglory | June 09, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I hope Shep enjoys his lessons! I have an older dog with diabetes that I adopted, and he has limited vision. He gets a bit nervous on the leash if he feels it pull at all - kind of startles him.
Posted by: Amy | June 09, 2008 at 09:25 AM
It's great that Jennifer was there to help Shep get the feel of being on a leash! I hope he got the hang of it, & is doing much better. I know he's looking foward to meeting the other canines in the RDR clan.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | June 09, 2008 at 02:07 AM
Shep is so precious! :)
Posted by: yoonamaniac | June 09, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Nature wet = green and no water bill!
Welcome to the fold Shep. See you this summer...when and if it ever starts.
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | June 08, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Go, Shep, go! The lessons from Jennifer will give you a new "leash" on life, buddy!
Posted by: Moon Rani | June 08, 2008 at 09:35 PM