Louis training progress

Louis is now five months old and is doing awesome. He is a really confident, clever and playful puppy and he is showing great potential. He's a real happy-go-lucky pup and has been very easy so far; the only 'issues' we've had is him taking a while to get the hang of the fact that the house is a non-pee zone, which we're making progress with but he's still having accidents now and then. Overall he is good out and about, and doesn't seem to be scared of anything (our previous foster pup, Bramble, had a fear of the butchers, Lou is the total opposite and LOVES them lol). Last month Louis went away for the weekend to stay with a AADI home boarder, this was so he got used to being in a different environment - he did fine other than annoying their other dog (but Louis is a typical labrador puppy and wants to play all day and can't understand when more sensible dogs get fed up of him pestering them to play!) He did start trying to food steal of the kitchen counters a few times but I immediately made sure it didn't become a habit and we've been doing lots of 'leave it', and impulse control training, which Louis picked up on very quickly and so far he hasn't tried to food steal since (yay!).

Here are a few photos of him from recently :)



















And a video:

Trip to town

Yesterday I took Louis for a trip to town. First we had to go to a builders supply store. He was fantastic! Lots of people were asking about him and what autism assistance dogs are all about, so everywhere we go we are creating more awareness of these special dogs. Then I sat outside with him for a little while where he watched the traffic going by. There were several big lorries but it didn't bother Louis. Then he went back in the car for the short drive to the shopping centre. Louis is doing much better in the car. A few weeks ago he used to fuss for the first few minutes of the journey, but he now just settles down straight away - he's a good little traveler. The shopping centre was heaving, with it being the Easter holidays. Louis coped very well with the crowds, and was still focusing on me, which was quite an achievement for such a young puppy! I've noticed that though, he doesn't get distracted easily - making training much easier. He went in a lift too, not for the first time but only the third - and he just sat patiently. In the supermarket he didn't try to get any food and walked nicely on a loose leash. He also was fine with all the trolleys. The only thing I had been worried about was him having a toilet accident inside the shop but I brought clean up kit in case and he did 'busy busy' outside before coming in - and success, no accidents! Really pleased with the little pupster.

Louis has been a busy puppy!

Louis is doing brilliantly. He's settled in like he's always been here! He loves to play with our dogs and is making good progress with his housebreaking. He went to the Vets yesterday for a check up and now weighs 7.9kg. He's been out and about to lots of different places - to the supermarket, pet shop, garden centre, puppy classes, friends houses...just to mention a few - plus meeting lots of new people and animals. He loves being out and about and takes everything in his stride. He's a very confident and happy-go-lucky pup. I'm really enjoying fostering him. Here are a few recent pics.

Meet Louis

Welcome to my blog, following my six months fostering Louis, a black labrador retriever puppy in training to become an Autism Assistance Dog. Louis is my third puppy to foster for the charity and he is currently eight weeks old. He came home on Sunday and is settling in well. Please stop by again soon for more 'pupdates' on Louis progress :)