We like to say that Kirra came pre-loaded with some great doggie apps. She already knew how to fetch and actually bring it back to you, most of the time.

Retrieving a soccer ball out in the yard.

Returning with the indoor ball for a nice pet as a reward.

The front window seems to be a big distraction when playing in the house though.

She was more or less housebroken (although we are still trying to figure out what her actual signals are) and she was, and is, a great snuggler. She loves getting pet so much that we have to deliberately ignore her so that we don’t over indulge her.

There were a few skills that weren’t pre-loaded though. She wasn’t really leash trained. For a 46 lbs dog, she is very strong, stubborn and an amazing puller, if that’s what you were wanting. We are in the process of working on that. We only have a neck collar or a trail harness with a back attachment right now. Neither of these is a good solution for pullers. The back connector on the harness is safer for her neck though, if you had to choose between the two options.

Kirra is pretty good on the long leash but still has a tendency to burst into sprints and then pull hard on the neck collar. She is learning where the end of the leash is.

The back hooked harness is a better option and safer for pullers, or for trail hikes, but won’t help you train her not to pull.

We have purchased a front, no pull harness which will help us train her that pulling isn’t where it’s at. Later the harness can be easily used on trails since it also has a back hook attachment.

Kirra is a very smart dog and has learned that ‘sit’ is the default action she can perform to make things happen. We are training her to sit before entering or leaving the house, before we will throw a toy and before she gets fed. She has even started to learn to wait to eat from her dish. Kirra is very gentle and completely non-possessive of her food, which is fantastic!

Learning how to hold and lick out the delicious contents of a Kong.

She loves all types of toys, from plush ones with squeakers, to chew toys, balls, treat dispensers and kongs.
Her crate is a work in progress. She easily goes in and will sleep in there if someone is nearby but she really isn’t all that happy if you close it. Kirra loves to be with people, the closer the better.

She also isn’t fond, yet, of being in the back back of the truck while we drive places. She would prefer to be able to touch you while you are driving, which not only isn’t safe but really doesn’t work for us.

We are confident that Kirra will come to love the truck, even in the back, because it will take her to some wonderful new places.

On her first walk in the neighbourhood she meant three dogs at once. After a few introductions she had fun playing with the lab puppy, Grace.

She also also been really good with most other dogs she has met and the people that have come to the house. She is a bit wary at first and might even growl a bit but she warms up fairly quickly when she sees us being calm and happy.

She growled a bit when her new Auntie Becky came by for an overnight visit but later in the evening she curled up by her auntie’s toes and relaxed.

Kirra is learning her place in the home and is settling in really well. We are identifying her strengths and weaknesses and planning on helping her to become a confident, obedient and well socialized member of the family.

If you have any questions about our adoption process or concerns you might be having with a new dog in your family, send us an email or add a comment below and we would love to tell you more about it or suggest possible solutions to issues you may be experiencing. We aren’t experts but one thing we can tell you is that dogs need rules and they need to know their place in your pack – don’t over indulge them. If you are consistent, firm, calm and patient, then your dog will learn to respect and trust you. It doesn’t happen overnight but eventually you and your dog will develop an understanding that will lead to a lifetime of love and companionship.