Hi Ramona,

 

I thought I would send you a quick update on Samara. 

 

We began tracking classes a few weeks ago and she is enjoying it immensely.  She is definitely a dog who likes to work, to have a purpose.  Our trainer has remarked several times that he believes she has a lot of natural talent in this area, and that he is very pleased with her performance.   She seems to know exactly what is expected of her and puts her nose to the ground and heads off when asked, despite the many distractions of other dogs and people milling about.

 

I have not begun formal obedience training with her, which goes against all my inclinations with a pup, but I have been advised by several knowledgeable people to go easy on her until I make a final determination about what I would like her to become.  This is not to say that she doesn't know the basics -- she walks well on lead, does her sits and downs without hesitation and is very comfortable in the vehicle.  She is a very easy to live with pup.  I have not started any competition-type obedience with her though, as it seems people believe it makes the dog too dependant on the handler and may inhibit some of her natural tendencies, especially in the Schutzhund work.

 

Her winter coat is coming in and she is really gorgeous.  I will try to get some new pictures of her at one of her training classes in the upcoming weeks.

 

I have been unable to find a suitable retailer who will get in the food I like -- Samara and my older pup, Grissom seemed to especially loved the Sojos sample you had given me when I picked up the puppy.  I have found that the recipe is fairly easy to duplicate however,  using ingredients and supplements at local human health food stores.  They get that, along with a healthy amount of elk and chicken.   I have had a few people, notably veterinarians and other dog trainers,  remark on what beautiful coats they have and how clean their teeth are.  Thank you for the introduction to the great supplements to the raw meat.

 

Hope all is well with you.   I peek in at your website often and love checking out the new pups. 

 

Jacqueline