Puppies in Training

LEXIE

This is my official Courage Service Dogs Photo.
I think I look very regal and also very kind!

Hello! My name is Lexie and I was the first puppy in training at Courage Service Dogs. I was born on August 9, 2014 and am the big sister to all the other puppies in training! I have finished all of my obedience classes with flying colors. I have also passed all of my public access tests and I am starting to learn PTSD tasks which is super cool. I can already turn on a light and am learning more things everyday. I already love to cuddle with my humans, so I don't even need to learn that one!

The bosses are already looking for my PTSD buddy and I can't wait to meet them. My person will be a hero, which I think is super cool. I am going to take very good care of them and make sure they are feeling better everyday. I am a fun girl too, so I think they will like having me around! Sometimes I get so excited when I think about it that my tail wiggles my whole body when I wag it (still not sure how that whole tag wagging thing works but I guess I'm in charge of it somehow)!

My favorite fun class is Agility and I love running around the course with my friends. I'm a little gangly so I am not the most coordinated pup on the course, but I make up for it with my speed! Some of the other dogs take it so seriously, but I just like to have a good time and do my best!

Look at me! I'm jumping through
the agility tire with my helper, Morgan!

This is a picture of me on the day I first came to Courage Service Dogs. I don't know why I'm sticking out my tongue, but I still look cute, right?

That's me with my buddy, Sawyer, at cow sorting practice. His head is as big as I am, but he is very gentle with me, so I don't have to worry about it.

Me and my fellow puppy in training, Willow, in front of the Golden Valley Police S.W.A.T truck - what an exciting open house!

Scarlett

Hey there! My name is Scarlett and I am in training to become Courage Service Dog. I was born on January 16, 2015. I live with my foster family Trish, Michael and my foster brother dog, Tucker. I love my foster family and I have a huge yard to run and play in and burn off all the extra energy I have. Trish and Michael say that I never get tired, but sometimes I sure do!

The humans say I am very smart and sometimes they call me "Mensa" because I learn things really fast. I don't know about that, but I love to figure out new things and show off my skills.

I'm not bragging, but I have to say that I am pretty darn good at agility. Sometimes I make up my own courses even when I'm being timed . . LOL!

I can't wait to find a recipient that I can partner with and we will make a great team! I am learning new skills everyday to help them out and I am also excellent at public access work.

Meeting new people is awesome and I am super friendly, but sometimes I get a little too excited when I see kids. I guess you could say I am a work in progress! I especially love it when I get to cuddle up and watch TV with my human buddy Michael on my down time.

Here are some pictures of me when I was task training at my trainer, Holly's, house. I learned how to open doors using a rope toy and how to do some touch commands with my feet!

Oh Boy. That's a picture of me when I was a tiny puppy
My face was pretty squished up back then!

"Hello? Can someone help me out, please??!"

Already rocking out
on the agility tunnel at 8 weeks!

This is the one I want

At Target, learning to ignore the bakery
treats . . . Ugh!

Here I am with my foster buddy, Tucker. He's the best!

"Leave it, leave it, leave it" It's all I hear - training is tough work!

Watching the "Wave Ride" at ValleyFair with Bella and my
sister pups in training!

That's me in the hat and beard - I tried to be a good sport, but I'm hoping for antlers next year!

Aww . . . me with Lindsey Josephs,
my substitute foster friend.

PAISLEY

Hello! My name is Paisley and I am the newest addition to the Courage Service Dogs family! I was born on June 17, 2016 so that makes me the baby of the pack. I don't mind, because I get a lot more attention in public and at our events! Kids just love to pet me and so do big people!
My first family, Welcome Home Labs, donated me to Courage Service Dogs, which makes me extra special. They are such a nice group of people and they took such good care of me for the first 8 weeks!

Right now, I live with my foster family, The Horgans, and they love me to death. They are teaching me all the things I need to become a great service dog! I am already doing great at obedience training and can't wait to learn the big girl stuff. The other dogs can do so many things and I want to be just like them. The hardest thing I am learning now is to stay in a down position because I just want to play, play, play! But I know I need to work hard so that someday I can be a great helper to a hero. That sounds so cool just to say!!!!

I will keep you all posted about how my training goes, because I know you will be on the edge of your seats for updates! (What can I say? I'm a lab so of course everyone will want to hear about me. It's a no-brainer)!

That's me with my friend, Claire! It was my
first day home and I look so happy!!!

On the prowl and ready to explore!

Look at me! I'm wearing my training vest. It's a little big, but I will grow into it quickly!
Sometimes my legs even get caught on the wrong side of the straps. How embarrassing!

My first shopping outing! I went to Petsmart with my friend, Erin. I think I'm going to love shopping, but the bosses said I can only ride in the cart until I am 3 months old. Bummer!
We bought lots of cat supplies!!!

There's nothing like laying is a nice warm basket of clean clothes for a fall afternoon nap! This is one of my favorite sleeping spots!

Also, a great sleeping spot. My foster brother, Dillon, is so big that I can't always fit in the bed with him!

I just love my foster family, the Horgans! It was so surprising when they took me shoe shopping! I wanted to get into the boxes and play with all the shoes, but apparently that is NOT appropriate service dog-in-training behavior!

Shoe shopping with Allison Cuddle time with Ella!

Going on a walk with Ella and Julia!!!

I love, love, love my foster buddy at the Horgan's, Dillon. He is teaching me the stern look, but I'm still not sure when I am supposed to use it!!!

Dillon is so gentle when we play tug.
What a good sport!

Sometimes I get to go visit another family when the Horgan's go out of town and can't bring me along. Here are some pictures of my stays at my substitute foster family, the Joseph's.

That's me going on a walk with Lindsey, Jason and my buddy Joey! I can see that I am pulling a little to hard. Something to work on . . . And Joey and me sharing a stick! What a great time!!!

Sometimes I even get to go on outings with the Joseph's! Here I am hard at work learning how to be a good girl in public! I love my access and desensitization training. I am at a hockey game watching my friend Lindsey play. I was glad to have my vest on because it was chilly in there. BRRRR!