Walk With the Trainer, Fun Day, and Goodbye

On Thursday evening my mom and I made the 4 hour trip to the bay area. We left a day early because we decided to spend the night in San Jose with my aunt (about 1 hour from GDB) and visit with her and let her see Focus one more time. Focus was very good in the car, except when it was 2 hours past dinner (we did not want to feed him an hour early, but didn`t wanna feed him on the road) he let us know, and we gave in and fed him and after that he was a much better dog. This is how Focus rode in the car for part of the ride.

After spending the night with my Aunt, my mom and I had 5 hours to kill so we headed to some outlet malls. I scored some cute hats and my mom got some stuff for herself as well. Focus was very well behaved happy to be working after sleeping for so long! After about 5 hours of shopping we headed up to San Rafael, to do the walk with the trainer. We arrived at the campus around 1:00 p.m. and I dropped of Focus in the puppy raising department, where he would be kenneled for the 2 hours I was gone.

We then drove about 15 minutes to downtown San Rafael, where would would meet the trainers and follow them and learn all about what they do. There were 5 people in each group and there was a trainer that worked the dog and a trainer the talked to us, answered questions, told us what the trainer was doing and why, and told us more about the advanced training and new new program. I learned a lot and it really gave me more appreciation for the trainers and that they actually love our dogs and work them and give them every chance possible to learn before the make the decision to career change a dog.

Each group got to see three dogs work, a dog that just came into training, (which in our group was Fidelity, Focus` sister) a dog that is in phase 5-6, and a dog that is just about class ready. It really is amazing that they now can train dogs in 8 weeks and have them class ready. Overall the experience was great and I think every puppy raiser should do it.

After we were done, we headed back to the campus to get Focus. From what I heard he was not on his best behavior, he barked a lot in the kennel (which he did at my house but usually stopped after 5-10 minutes) I think he barked more then usual, because he could see all the dogs in the room and wanted to play.

Fantom, a dog raised in my club that is in phase 5 I think.

After we picked up Focus we headed to our hotel to check in and get ready to go out for the night. We originally were going to go to San Francisco but decided we were too tired and just went to the mall and came back and went in the pool for a while and then hung out on the pool deck with my friend Taylor and GDB puppy Patch. Focus was very well behaved shopping, eating dinner, and hanging out at the pool.

Focus in the hotel room resting.

I think we all went to bed around 1:00 a.m. or so and we had to get up at 7:30 to get ready for Fun Day and eat breakfast. I was still very tired and could have used another 3-4 hours of sleep but there was no way I was gonna miss Fun Day! Especially since I was getting a puppy!

We arrived a little late, as breakfast took a little longer then expected. We arrived right in time for the opening ceremonies. We then ventured out to all the booths that were selling items and opportunity tickets. My mom bought a lot of tickets and I was really hoping she would with this big basket of toys, grooming equipment, treats, and other little goodies. The basket and all the items was worth about $250. The day was not hot, but not enjoyable cool weather. After looking and all the booths we played water balloon toss which our balloon would never pop! It did eventually, not on me though!

Focus was not on his best behavior, he was distracted by all the dogs and wanted to sniff, play, and say "hi" to all of them. After a while though he got a lot better. By 12 or so I was getting a little hot and was ready to get on the road to go home, but that was not an option. I sat in the shade for a while and listened to a trainer speak about soft puppies and how to handle them, which was interesting. After that I got bored of sitting so I ventured back to booths and found the booth I had been looking for! It was the booth that embossed your dogs names on your leather leash. (I`ll post a picture later.) Last year I got another one of my leashed done (I have 4 leather leashes haha) and it did not really last long and it did not look good. I was very happy with how it turned out and I even got little Ryder on there too!

Pretty soon it was time to do puppy presentation and the raffle drawings for all the opportunity tickets people purchased. I went up on the stage as asked, and then I waited for about 10 minutes and they finally called my name and I received my little boy Ryder! The opportunity drawing was next and my mom actually won a handmade quilt and the basket full of toys, grooming equipment, and goodies! I was so happy she won as I wanted a lot of the toys and Focus chewed a lot of my bones.

We of course got to meet some of Focus` litter mates, and they were all going back in for training as well. L-R, Fritter, Foxfire, Focus, & Fairfield.
After getting Focus it was time to start making the walk towards the kennels, something that every puppy raiser hates.
Focus in the kennel reception office. I was checking him in and giving him all his details. How much he eats, what brand, etc. I was already getting pretty teary eyed at this point cause I knew it would not be long before I walked him to the kennel and said "goodbye."

Focus seemed to like the kennel, sniffed it all out, drank some water and thought life was great. I on the other hand was all teary eyed and Focus wanted to know why I was like that.

He seemed pretty settled in and I thought it was a good time to go. I was probably in there 5-10 minutes and then I left because weather I stayed an hour there or just dropped him in the the kennel reception it still would have been very hard.

Focus thought me leaving was not a big deal, but he wanted to play with his brother next to him so he started barking and I just kept walking. It was very hard to say goodbye to him as I miss him very much already. Though I must say having a puppy to come out to and hug was very good, I think it helped a lot. Good luck Focus! Whether you are a breeder or a guide, or whatever else you choose I will always love you! I miss you big guy!

Katlynn & Ryder