Clara - Guide Dog Puppy - Pupdate.

We've got an update on Clara's Guide Dog training journey.

Hello, it’s Ash here, Clara’s Puppy Raiser.

Clara’s been such a little superstar. She’s still full of playful energy, and she’s starting to become a bit more sensible now, which I think is so impressive for such a young dog. Her new favourite green rope tug toy is always close by. Clara also has lots of other toys she is just as playful and cheeky with. I’ve been exploring new places with her in the last few months, from busy canal walks and trams to cafés, and Clara’s taking it all in her stride.

Making friends and exploring

Clara is always calm, happy and adores a bit of fuss. She’s a friendly girl and loves meeting new people. Our children absolutely adore her, and she has so much patience with them, they all spend hours playing or lying together for cuddles. Humans aren’t the only ones who get her attention though; during a recent visit to the beach, she and our friend’s dog ran around having fun together for hours. Water isn’t her favourite, so she didn’t go in, but she happily explored the sand and sniffed along the shoreline. I’ve also been working on Clara’s recall by taking her to new places to practice during her free runs, and it seems to be getting better.

Clara’s been out and about attending weekly dog meet-ups to build confidence and help her settle around other dogs. She’s been practising loose lead walking through town, settling in coffee shops, and even learning how to travel on the tram with other dogs - all under the careful guidance of Puppy Development Advisor, Jan. She hasn’t picked a best friend yet out of the group, but she loves meeting them and playing together. I love watching her explore everything with such curiosity and joy.

Learning and growing

Clara’s cleverness is really shining through as she grows. Basic cues are coming along quickly - ‘sit’, ‘down’, waiting at kerbs - all mastered while keeping that cheeky sparkle in her eyes. Her confidence is building too. Whether she’s out loose lead walking in town, exploring new streets, or trying out a new form of travel, she approaches everything with enthusiasm.

Clara’s independence is really blossoming, and she happily investigates new smells, sights and sounds without hesitation, while still checking back with me and never straying too far when free running.

While loose lead walking, Clara stays by my side, enjoying the walk while staying calm. Although, excitement still bursts out in waves when she’s free running or around other dogs! I’m working with her to help contain that energy, teaching her to stay focused even while having fun. It’s a work in progress and I’m so proud of how she’s developing. It’s wonderful to see her quickly learning when to focus on training and when to enjoy downtime, and watching her grow in confidence. I’m excited to see how she develops even further in the coming months, as she takes more steps towards her future career as a life changer.