After 4 days with Palmer

I took Friday off, and therefore was able to spend 3 solid days with Palmer (rescued from the Ohio Lab Rescue).

With Rocky and Deuce I had them before they were 8 weeks old. Training a puppy is cumbersome but you get the advantage of training them as early as possible. Palmer is almost 9 months old. We have surpassed some of the issues of a puppy but it is weird to see a big 9 month old dog (55 pounds) that really doesn't know much of anything due to the lack of attention.

Jennifer Ison (Vandalia, OH) found him and was great to him and her other foster dogs. She had him for 4 weeks and was able crate train Palmer and teach basic behavior. He didn't know the name that was originally given to him and when we brought him home he had never seen steps. Our first task was to acquaint him to the house and the steps. It took 10 minutes to get him up the back steps and he couldn't manage the 1st floor steps at all.

My goal for the weekend was simple - to introduce him to the house, teach him 'how to learn' and to bond with the family. I think we accomplished that and more. (He is now fluent on steps for example)

The kids have been unbelievable - Kate is very motherly, Jack is using him for fun (running and fetch), and Chad is so loving (Chad will lay down with him and got into his den with him). All have been awesome to watch.

My 3 days with Palmer and the family have been great and very productive. Palmer is still learning housetraining, but we are close. Through some concentrated effort we have introduced a few commands. He is close to being able to Sit on command, but more importantly he seems to be loving life with the kids and Amy and I.