As I’ve told some, I’ve started taking the dogs to puppy training at Petsmart.  It’s probably a little later than I originally planned, but the dogs in the class seem to be around the same age anyway.  It’s been two weeks worth of training so far and my dogs are slow learners, but they’re picking things up the more we practice.

For the most part, they can sit, stay, and lay down on command.  Not every time, but most of the time.  They’re much better now than when we first started.  I switched them over to liver treats and I think they like them better than their old treats so it gives them an incentive to listen.

It’s tough with two dogs and one person especially since both dogs want my attention.  I’ve found that it’s easier to train one at a time and as they both learn it individually I can transition them into listening together.  I’m going to try to bring a crate to puppy training this week and see if that method can help during class time.

I think so far so good.  The three of us just need to practice more and I think they’ll do just fine.

I got a chance to go to Santa Barbara last weekend for my old roomate Kenn’s going away BBQ.  I had a good time.  I don’t really get a chance to go to Santa Barbara anymore so it was nice to make a trip down there and the weather was pretty nice.

It was also the first time I got to take the dogs to the beach.  Even though Adam had a broken leg and I had to carry him around a lot, it didn’t get him down.  I could tell it was nice for the dogs to get out and be somewhere besides the house.

I was also nice for me to go away for the weekend.  I feel like I’ve been traveling less and less and trying to spend more time taking care of business at home.

I don’t have any photos from the trip, but if anyone sends me some I’ll post a link.

I got the dogs a new bed this past weekend and I thought I would upload some updated photos of them as well.  They seem to be getting a long pretty well with the cats and are pretty used to their new home now.  They are quite a bit bigger than when I first got them, but that is expected.

The potty training still needs some work, but they are getting better.  I will be enrolling them in puppy training soon so that will be pretty interesting for both me and the dogs.

Other than that I don’t really have any more really interested news.  They should be getting their last set of shots in the near future and then I can take them out more often.  They are doing a pretty good job getting along with people and other animals when they do come in contact.

I’m sure I’ll have more news in the future, but that’s all for now.  I should be getting back to work anyway.

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I took the puppies to the vet today.  I probably should have brought the dogs and the cats, but I figured I should take care of the dogs first then bring the cats in later.  Having dogs can get pretty expensive.  I knew when I adopted them they would be and I guess I have to pay double what I usually do since I have two of them.  I figure after the initial payments in the first year for adoption, vet fees, and obedience classes the fees will get smaller and smaller as time goes on.  I’ll only have to bring the animals in once a year and I’ll just have to worry about food for them.

On top of the fees having young animals is a lot of work.  Lots of training.  Lots of carpet cleaning, etc.  In the end it’s definitely worth it and I’m glad I’m taking on the task.  I think it’s also easier on me since my work load isn’t has heavy as it has been in the last few months.  I’m pretty happy with them an I enjoy the companionship.  All four of them.  I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments about my animals and for right now I’m glad that they are all healthy.