I'm A Big Girl Now

Keanani wants you to know that she's a Canine Good Citizen and she has the paper to prove it. She passed her test on Saturday. We had a little problem with the walk on a leash because she wanted to pull me to get to the good smells from all the other dogs, however she managed to behave herself enough to pass by the skin of her teeth. It also took multiple commands on the down before she got there. The rest was a piece of cake. She is so mellow that all the stuff about letting people touch her, or walking through a crowd, or having a loud noise go off were simple stuff. We obviously have work to do. The training never really stops, but she is doing well.

However just so I continue to know that she is a livestock guardian dog, we are also getting to the I'm deaf stage and the if I don't want to, you can't make me stage. She has also learned that she can bully Kip. Yesterday, Kip had her beloved squeaky toy and Nani took it away from her. I'm not too worried about this because she will then turn around and give Kip a toy to make up to her. They will work it out. In the long run, Nani will be top of the heap even though Hoku currently still holds that spot. We have made great progress since I posted last when it comes to inter-dog relations. The exercise pens are a thing of the past. All dogs are in the house together when people are there. We do not let the three of them be together without us because Hoku and Nani gang up on Kip. Just like kids – three's a crowd. Nani and Hoku spend their days together in the dog yard and they enjoy each others company.

As you can tell from the pictures, she is growing by leaps and bounds and she has become a beautiful young lady. She turned eight months on Friday, July 13^th. I had her weighed at the vet's the next day and she came in at 78.5 pounds. To the best that I can measure her without help and/or a wicket, she is 24.5 inches high at the shoulders.

I still can't believe how lucky I am to have this wonderful dog sharing my life and my space. I had given up hope of having an LGD again and then here she came. Thanks you again, Clarence, for this wonderful addition to my life.