Austin is growing up so fast! He is over 7 months old now, and well over 50 lbs, although I'm not sure really what he's at, I just know I can't lift him into the bath tub anymore. He's had so many new experiences and grown up so much, I really do feel like a proud momma sometimes. Above is his first "Professional" photo. I'm hoping perhaps he'll become a model and earn his keep. We're accepting offers. My friend Shelley Paulson came and stayed with me for a week or so, and set up her studio in my living room and we practiced on the pup. He was so stoic! I was thinking to myself, "Who is this dog?"
Austin has learned to swim in a local creek after I found the orange duck dummy to encourage him to "retrieve" like he's supposed to.
It's no good having a lab that is scared of the water, so I'm glad we've fixed that. Now he's even swimming at the dog park, and looks like such a big boy unless he's beside a veteran lab swimming halfway across the lake; he's not quite there yet. Speaking of the dog park, he no longer gets punked by every dog he sees and he's starting to hold his own. I still think he likes the toddlers a lot better than the dogs though, he's such a people person.
I've switched his dog food to the more natural Canidae. Now before you go teasing me, let me tell you that it's around the same price as his Eukanuba was and it's WAY more healthy. I've noticed such a change in how soft his coat is.
He has always been very (VERY) food motivated, and he loves this stuff, and I feel better knowing it's not boiled down zoo animals. People have told me that dogs on a healthy diet like this can live a lot longer, and I like the pup and want to have him around for a while. Austin also loves
Nutro's Natural Choice crunchy treats in Blueberry. They are great for putting in your pocket on a walk without getting all grimy. They smell like blueberries, which is a great option to that "ground round fragrance." Austin also likes
Zuke's Berry Blast, another berry-based crunchy treat.
As for bath time, he still doesn't like it too much, but he doesn't protest. Did you know Paul Mitchell is making pet shampoo? I just found out, which is great because I haven't found anything I really like.
I can't wait to try this out, although I haven't seen it in any of my local pet-supply stores. Maybe they'll read my blog and give me a free sample :)
Austin is still working on his recall, which is weak because I haven't been a good enforcer, but we're working on it. That and "heel." He is such a sweet boy for some people on walks, and then he'll go and drag my mom around the block. She is a bit of a softy though. A new puppy-quirk appears when you say the word "kennel" and he instantly goes and hides under the bed. I'm working on making the kennel a fun place, but it is very much like his room, in a bad way. ("Do you need to go to your kennel?")
I went on my first extended trip, one week, away from my pup, and honestly after a few days I really did miss him. I've heard he was a pretty good boy while I was gone, which makes me proud. But I am trying to figure out a reasonable way to take him with me next time. Look how much fun we have together!
Thanks to
Shelley Paulson for some incredible pictures. If you want to see some more of Austin, I have a whole
flickr set.
