Hello Paula and Leah,

Before I get started just want to thank you for the wonderful dog!! I’ve been working quite a bit on training and wanted to give an update on that. He’s very smart and has been learning rather quickly.

When I got back to PEI, I let bones run free for most of the day. I started by doing a few rounds around the property just so he would know his borders, correcting him when he would. This is where he started to learn his name and responds immediately when I call him. I just call him Bones now.

I worked on his jumping and nibbling as well, correcting him whenever he would do so. He has made outstanding progress. He now greets me on all four paws (the real test will be when he sees new people). His nibbling is almost where I want it to be. The first few days he really left some good marks however by Monday he realized this is no longer acceptable. He’ll still chew on my gloves from time to time as I am walking by but it is more of a attention nibble and less of a destructive one.

I'm working on his leash training for when he is not out here. He pulled very hard at first so I’m working on getting him to walk loose lease. Just like the bad habits he is learning very quickly. I started by holding him back with one arm and keeping a treat on my side, allowing him to nibble on it as he walked by my side. This seemed to work quite well. Also, I spent pretty much the whole day yesterday moving around dirt in the garden. He would follow me from one shovel to the next and this is where I found he made his best progress. He was getting tired but would still keep following me and started to realize I am suppose to lead. Ever since then on the leash he pulls a lot less, at this point he’ll pull and then basically come back to me, then repeat. Hopefully by Saturday he will be there!

He’s given me quite a few laughs:
* He has this little dance now whenever I see him for the first time in the morning. He pounds his big paws on the ground.
* He's started to play in the water a little bit and enjoys running the shoreline. He'll never go past his belly and its too cold for me to go in the water. This normally.
* For a big dog, he can sure get in a little ball when he's sleeping. Sometimes he falls asleep nibbling on his back foot, its the oddest thing!

Like both of you know he has a heart of gold. He needs lots of attention which I have no problems giving it to him. I’m outside a lot and have no problems taking him with me.

Attached are some pictures when we were in Sackville.