Yesterday Roscoe and I went to PetSmart for our first training class. The trainer is a lady named Rita, who seems really enthusiastic and in love with her job. There are 5 pups in the class total, two labs, a 7-month old Beagle (who might not be back, I think she was just auditing the class to see how her dog would do), and another gorgeous dog who's breed I don't know, but he was gray and black, shaggy and very pretty. The first class is a lot of talking, with the trainer explaining how the class would go, and gave us our clickers and binders. She went over some potty training tips and we did "Watch Me." It's designed to get your dog paying attention to you - holding a treat under their nose, and then bring it up between your eyes, say "Watch me!" and then click/treat when they make eye contact with you. The class went about 40 minutes over time, but it seems pretty cool. Roscoe was very interested in meeting all the dogs, but we had to hold them back from socialization (that's Week 3). The trainer also went over "Cradle/Massage" to get your dog used to being touched. Roscoe has no problems with that at this time.

He got another round of shots at the vet this past Saturday - a couple of yips and he was fine. Four weeks he gets his last set, and then two weeks later he'll get snipped and chipped. I'm excited to get all the expensive new-puppy stuff out of the way. I think he's been playing with me when it comes to peeing. I know he can hold it for a while - he holds it all day when I'm at work and at night, and has for the past week or so. When I'm at home, he'll ask to go out every 40 minutes or so. He does pee when we go out, a very small amount. Of course every time he goes outside and potties in any way, he gets a treat. So he's obviously figured out the way to get more treats.

He's somewhat tolerating the cat a bit more, but I think she put him in his place. This past Saturday, he ran up the stairs in the morning. I was in the kitchen doing dishes, and as soon as he ran up there I heard:

BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK HISS HISS BARK BARK YIP thump thump thump as he ran back down the stairs.

She's declawed on her front claws, so I'm assuming she bit him. I checked him out and we went to the vet that same day, no visible signs of any distress. Last night Bobby (the boyfriend) and I sat on the couch petting the cat while Roscoe laid on the ground and watched/dozed. Serendipity (the cat) was very aware of his presence the entire time. So he's barking at her less, and growing used to her presence, which is good.