All nestled in for the evening.

Big fluffy snowflakes were coming down in Saranac Lake today. There is something magical about a black(ish) dog covered in snow.

Nico spent most of the day home alone. His face is a pretty clear expression of how he feels about that.

Nico has been at the office with me most of this week. Going to work is actual work for him. Everything we do during the day turns into a training session.

I’ve started bringing frozen Kongs into the office with me. To get them from the house to the office, I put them in the water bottle pouch of my backpack. Nico’s heel is 100% on point as we walk into the building because he’s got his nose right up against the left side of my backpack.

Honestly, I never fully understood the value of a ‘place’ command before bringing Nico to Upstate Canine Academy and watching Tom Davis’ videos.

Ears.

Nico came to the office with me this morning. We’re continuing to solidify being neutral, calm, and respectful at work. We’re still working on Nico holding a ‘sit stay’ when new people walk into a room or space, and he isn’t on a leash.

We walked around Saranac Lake this afternoon, looking for things to distract or challenge Nico. It was a quiet day in town, and Nico is getting good at staying neutral and in his heel with everyday things like people, cars, trucks, etc.

Nico enjoyed an afternoon snooze sleeping on our front bench on top of his fancy dog bed.

Nico is patiently waiting to eat his dinner.

I realized today that Nico has serious chest muscles.

I realized today that Nico has serious chest muscles.

Nico had quite a day of experiences and training. He came to work with me this morning, and we walked through the academic halls at the Paul Smith’s College campus.

I had a long day of doing fieldwork today so I only had a few minutes to work with Nico when I got home. We practiced his ‘place’ command and held a stay for several minutes with food scattered about the front of his crate.

Nico and I did an hour and fifteen-minute walk/training session around town this morning. We walked through the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace with crowds of people, he held a 'sit stay' in a half dozen locations with people and dogs around, and he had nearly perfect loose leash walking.

This morning I took Nico for a walk through downtown Saranac Lake before the Winter Carnival parade started. We visited a Paul Smith’s College Woodsman Team demonstration and walked up and down Main St. Nico saw tons of people, including little kids and people dressed up in costumes. We also walked within feet of other dogs.

Nico loves his built-in thigh pillows.

Nico really enjoys his Kongs stuffed with goodies. It’s fun watching him twist and contort to get just the right angle to lick out all the stuff inside.

Nico knows he'll eventually get paid when asked to hold a position and a camera is put in his face. I’m beginning to teach myself off-camera lighting and have much to learn.