Below are pictures and updates from Hooch's new family in Dillsburg, PA. Click here to see pictures of Hooch during his first 8 weeks at Deepwood Acres. Pictured below at almost 6 months old - Hooch at 100 pounds, LJ at 60 pounds. Hi Sandy! Hooch passed his CGC certification on Monday evening!  We were given a special invitation to come and take the test by one of the instructors for his puppy class.  He did FANTASTIC!  We were in a new room, new location with 9 new dog/handler teams.  The other teams were shocked that Hooch was only 5 months old and was able to pass the test so soundly.  I am so happy with Hooch and so proud of him.  He loves going to obedience classes and tries so hard to please. Thanks again!  I couldn't be happier with my Hoochie Boy and the work we are doing! ~Jayme

Pictured below at 4 months old.

Hi Sandy! All is just going SUPER with Hooch!  He is sweet, well-mannered and SO handsome.  Obedience training continues to go extremely well.  Hooch has been given the go ahead from the CGC Evaluator to enroll in Level 3 CGC Advanced Obedience Class starting in the beginning of June.  He is amazing with the things he learns and performs them on command flawlessly.  During this past Tuesday night's class the trainer (CGC Evaluator) gave him the highest compliment... she said that after watching Hooch closely for 6 weeks and his performance and manners, she completely trusts him off leash with other dogs and humans.  I must have looked at her strangely because she continued on to explain her comment.  She said very rarely a puppy or dog will come through her classes that she feels this way about.  She went on to say that she has watched while Hooch has been approached rapidly and aggressively from other dogs in the class and his reaction is always the same... he sits, remains calm and handles himself with such dignity.  When other handlers have approached, he immediately sits without having to be told to wait for their greeting (never paws, jumps up).  In fact, when we have to perform walking on leash in pairs, the instructors always pair Hooch beside the uncontrollable, hyper dog in the class... Hooch pays no attention to the dog and walks calmly in control looking to me for commands at all times.  He is just AMAZING! I am enjoying classes and obedience work so much that it has become a passion.  The instructors can't wait to get him certified for therapy dog work-- they know he will be wonderful at it.  I am enjoying taking him into the local schools... the kids LOVE him and he is great with them!  Everyone knows Hooch!!  LOL!  Neighbors streets down will come out of their houses just to come pet and say "Hi!" to Hooch.  They can't remember MY name, but everyone sure remembers Hooch's name! Thanks again, Sandy, for Hooch.  He gives us so much joy.  He also has given me something to finally be passionate about.  I always tell people... some people are passionate about scrapbooking or other hobbies.  I am passionate about Hooch and my therapy work/obedience training with him. ~Jayme

Hi Sandy!

I just wanted to send you an update on Hooch.  I had his second training session on Thursday evening and it went extremely well!  He learns commands very quickly and is able to repetitively perform them within minutes of learning.   So far we have learned: Sit, Down, Collar (used for standing still while hooking the leash up), his name, walking on leash.   We are currently working on the commands: Release, Touch, Spin, Leave it, and no biting.   Hooch starts his formal AKC STAR Puppy class on March 30 with the same instructor who has been giving us private lessons.  She is very impressed by him and his intelligence.  She said he will be the star of the class for sure and already has mastered a lot of what is required in the class.

Socialization has been going AWESOME.  He has no hesitation when being introduced to something new and remains very calm and attentive to his surroundings.  Some of his accomplishments are: walking on all types of surfaces; walking over drainage grating with water flowing underneath; crawling through tunnels; climbing into tents; in and out of laundry baskets.  He has been introduced to very noisy things (pop-pop mowers, regular mowers, loud trains, blenders, snow blowers, buses with air-brakes, garbage trucks, vacuums) and has had NO problem observing them and relaxing while near them.   His reaction to anything new is to sit down and watch while I repeat "good boy."   Potty training is on track.  He has not had an accident since he was 10 weeks old!  He will go to the door, sit and stare at the door.  If no one sees him, he will grab the bells hanging near the door and shake them to alert us to the fact he is there waiting to go.

He is a fantastic puppy!  Ear cleaning, coat brushing and teeth brushing are of no concern; he loves it!  Nail trimming is difficult even with reward for me to perform by myself (he is strong).  If Jeff helps, it goes smoothly.  The only real problem that I am having is with the puppy biting.  Hooch leaves the kids alone and does not bite at them (wonderful!).  He is fairly aggressive with me and Jeff.  I have tried a dramatic, high pitched yipe which works sometimes.  We continue to redirect by stuffing toys into his mouth when he bites.  I have tried bitter apple spray which works, but I don't have it at arms reach all the time when I need it.  I have gotten up, turned my back and walked away which works sometimes, other times he will follow and bite at your pant leg.  Do you have any other suggestions to stop the biting?  I appreciate any advice you can give me! :-)

Thanks for listening Sandy... overall Hooch is AMAZING and such a wonderful addition to our family!  Now, if the biting would just ease up!!  :-)

Thanks a million!
~Jayme