1/15/08

Hello Jim and Sandy,

I hope this email finds you both well and I hope you had a Happy New Year.

Riley is 17 weeks and he's doing great!  Just came from the vet, he's 48 lbs and healthy as a horse!  He just graduated puppy kindergarten.  He knows sit, down, stand and shake!  Coming when called is a work in progress...  He's still biting a little bit but Sue and I adopted your "zero tolerance" policy.  The "OUCH" works most of the time... when it doesn't we just time him out and leave the room for a few minutes... he gets the point.  We are signing him up for the next class called basic manners which starts in a couple of weeks.  I'm getting him out and about alot but at the same time putting him in his crate so he doesn't get withdrawal.  He goes into his crate and lies down sometimes without the command... it's hysterical!  We do give him treats but they are all natural stuff with no bad chemicals or anything.  The training center uses food as re-enforcement which I really didn't want to do but its working out.  He's getting better at leash walking... morning and late afternoon he's great... it's the 6:00-8:30pm he really starts acting up.  He started barking at George (our cat) last week and I'm trying to teach Riley that this is not acceptable.  I think he's getting the fact that I am the boss...  I don't even let him go out the door before I do... I'm first!  He definitely tries to get away with more with Sue... not me really.  He will bite her sweater but if I walk into the room he stops.  I'm guessing because I'm spending more time with him than Sue is?  He is a great dog though.  Learning to make meals with Riley butting up against you with his toys is quite a challenge!  He's in the truck with me every morning when I hit Starbucks... he just stares out the window and takes in all the noises and faces... it's really fun to watch.  He definitely started testing us in the last 2 weeks so I figure we are beginning the adolescent phase.  Any advice is always welcome from you both.

Take care and we hope you have a great year!

Ken and Sue