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Luther is quite the 'water dog'. On the 4th of July, we went to the cottage on the James River. Jimmy threw the decoys and Luther didn't hesitate--he took off into the water and swam after them. After retrieving, he delivered them into Jimmy's hand. No tug of war! I guess he did this a dozen times.

The next day we took Luther to Neblett's Mill Pond where Jimmy threw the dummy far out in the water. Luther loved every minute of fetching the dummies. The first dummy was thrown far out before they were set up and it drifted away. Jimmy put Luther in the Jon boat (his first boat ride) and Luther was excited at this new adventure. When the boat got up near the dummy, Luther jumped overboard and retrieved the dummy. I called him from the shore and as he was swimming back, Jimmy started talking and Luther did a 180! Oh no! So I asked Jimmy to be quiet and called Luther to the shore and he came. Phew!

Luther was 16 weeks on Tuesday, July 6th!

Jimmy is looking forward to this fall and seeing Luther retrieve ducks. I can honestly say that Luther would be thrilled if he knew what was lying ahead for him. Good dog!

More Photos - Camp Luther

Camp Luther

It's been a big week. Reagan and Barton have been visiting and going to the Sports Camp at the club (Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Lunch). This was the first time they had met Luther. It was exciting for everyone. We had to make sure all the flip flops and toys were out of Luther's reach because he thought they were new treats for him!

Reagan was very good at walking Luther and took him on a walk several times a day. They got to see Luther swim in the lake behind our house. We did a few things without Luther--shopping, pizza, fishing--but it worked out perfectly. Luther took his naps while we went places that dogs weren't allowed. Here is the best photo of the week. I wish I'd taken more photos. All 3 of them are so photogenic. All in all, Camp Luther (as the kids called it) was a success. Luther will miss his buddies when they leave this afternoon.

Big Foot

It finally happened. I was amazed at how proportional Luther has been even though he's growing like a weed. His feet are getting bigger and bigger. His legs are long and his rump is going up--just like a foals. When we took him to the vet on Friday (he had a rash on his belly--insect bites--they're gone now) he was over 22 pounds.

Luther is doing much better on the leash now. I took him for a walk this afternoon and he was perfect. He walked even with my left side and never lunged around. Maybe it was because it was hot as a firecracker outside. Kinda takes the starch out of ya.

Backyard Boy

This afternoon I had the porch sliding door open and Luther took it upon himself to go outside. I watched him roam around in the yard. He made his way over near the pine trees where he found (and ate) the leathery shells left by some baby turtles that hatched since last night. Then he explored the lake bank. A floating pine cone caught his interest. Then he wandered along the shoreline in the water. He's getting braver and his attitude is getting bolder. He's 12--almost 13 weeks old.

Tomorrow is another big adventure to the Veterinarian's office, Dr. Nay. I'm interested in seeing how much he weighs. He doesn't particularly like being picked up...and that's a good thing!

Water Dog!

Jimmy missed the big event this morning. Luther has been intrigued with the edge of the lake behind our house for the past week. At first he suspiciously would smell the grasses. When a frog would jump, he'd freek out and run around. Day by day his courage has grown. Today he saw something and rather than retreat, he jumped in the water big time! I watched him turn himself around and swim back to shore. Then he'd high tail it around running up and down the lake's edge. He repeated this same scene again and then he took a huge spring from the shoreline and stretched straight out making a big splash in the lake. He was delighted!!! He swam back and then rallied around the yard for his victory lap.

I don't think Jimmy will have any problems getting Luther into the swamp during duck hunting season. Luther's retrieving skills are definitely there, too. The big work is in getting the whole package together. Good luck, Jimmy and Luther!

Obedience

I think I'm going to need more training than Luther! Our first obedience class went famously. Jody Mountfort was on top of everything. She got Luther's attention immediately and he was literally eating out of her hand. A bump in the nose with a stiff "Off" stopped all the jumping. :-) Luther had a concept of "Sit" but "Down" was new to him as was "Leave-It!". "Come" was reinforced and although he is pretty good outside, the food reinforcement really had Luther's attention. He recognized immediately who had treats. Of course he has an active nose that won't quit.

Luther's potty breaks have been getting longer and longer and drawn out. Jody recommended we leash him and walk him back and forth in one area and keep him moving. It worked. The crating is going fine. He's pretty good and responding to "Kennel".

"Off" on the sofa is still a challenge but I'm committed to not having an 70 pound animal on my white sofa. This will take some concerted effort but we shall prevail.