Last night Winn and I completed her puppy training class. Of course she passed her test with flying colors and has attained her AKC S.T.AR puppy certificate. (I will send in her paperwork and get an official certificate from AKC with her full name and some bling she can wear when she’s feeling fancy.)

S.T.A.R. stands for socialization, training, activity and responsibility and is taught by a certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) trainer.  It is basically CGC pre-school, and on Wednesday we will start new classes to continue training with that goal in mind.

Maisie passed her CGC test a couple of weeks ago.  It took longer than I anticipated because I was out-of-town for most of February and all of April. My absence took a toll on Maisie, and we had to work together slowly to rebuild her confidence.  We started training in December with the hope that she would be CGC and Therapy Dog certified before Winn joined the family.  For now, I need to focus on Winn and then Maisie and I will decide if Therapy Dog seems like a good fit for us as a team.  We still sneak away together when we can and she loves our walks along the lake. She is so well-behaved when we are out and about, which is really the most important thing.So cheers to Winn, let the advanced training begin!