Auggie had some time for a playdate with another RAGOM foster by the name of Raphael this past Saturday. They are close to the same age and Raphael has much longer legs, but they certainly have the same spirited play. I think my crew enjoyed a little respite from Auggie's love of activity.

Auggie's retrieval is near perfect. He chases down the ball, quickly returns, drops it, and then sits for his treat. Sometimes he is so excited for his treat he leaves the ball behind. All you have to do is say, "no, you have to go get the ball and point," and he bounces back out to get it, bring it back, and sits nicely for his treat.

We continue to work on social manners. "Off" and "down" for a 7-month-old puppy is sure a challenge. If I point and say, "Down," he puts his paw on my hand thinking it is a game. I also see counter surfer written in his future, so "off" is becoming a frequently used term. He responds to this one much better than then the "down" command.

Auggie is a fun, spirited, happy, and active puppy that will need a family committed to continuing obedience training and socializing skills as he matures. He will indeed make you smile and laugh every day. It is nice that we are emerging from winter, as Auggie enjoys outside activities, and the advantage is he can hop into the shower with you and be done as fast as you are. Come meet this special little guy and his personality will blow you way.

Auggie had a great time at the meet-and-greet last Saturday in Coralville, Iowa. He managed to charm everyone and received lots of pets from the very young to the many adults in the store. He had almost impeccable manners, except for a pee accident. If it had not been for the barking dogs close by the door, I would have known he wanted to go outside. So I can say that Auggie now barks when he wants to go out to potty. Auggie will be more reliable with his potty habits as he approached his 6-month birthday.

Currently, Auggie is proficient at sitting, taking treats nicely, retrieving, and coming when called as well as leash walking. We are working on commands for down, release or drop, and off which for puppies are a lot of do-overs. He is very smart and a quick study at learning his cues.

As you can see, Auggie loves to chew and he found the rubber bottom on this feeding dish a great chew item. He also loves to pick them up and carry them around. Auggie is growing his adult teeth, so when he is laying down and throws his head back, you can see his big bunny teeth coming in. He has yet to learn how to jump on the sofa, so he comes to me to be picked up. When I put my arms under his front legs around his chest, he stretches up on his back tippy toes and stretches his chin to the ceiling like he thinks that will make his 20-lb weight much lighter.

Auggie would make any family a great addition. His family must be committed to giving him plenty of exercise as well as games to stretch his mind. Although his foster home has a privacy fence, it is not absolute in his adoptive home, which means he goes out on a leash or is attached to a tie-out for short periods for potty breaks. Auggie can live in a house with or without dogs, though he sure enjoys all his playmates here. Auggie is not exposed to many very young children where I live, so his puppy play can be too rough for small children. Again, young children should be supervised when they are around dogs for everyone's safety.

Auggie has completed his neuter this past week and is doing very well. He was the smallest of the four, weighing in at 14 lbs. Auggie is very attuned to his humans and the one most likely to lay peacefully on the sofa with you. He comes when called especially when he knows there is a treat involved. Auggie has also mastered the sit command, again when he is offered a treat, and has a gentle mouth as puppies this age are nipping at everything that comes close to their mouths. Potty training is going well, but as all puppies this age, lapses can occur so frequent outside trips are necessary. Auggie is also the most vocal talker of the group, but when they are playing, they all seem to have an opinion between themselves and whatever game they are playing. I have enclosed some new pics of Auggie. One night we were watching Animal Planet with the puppies and all of them took notice, especially when the puppies were whining.

Auggie is looking for his forever family. So give us a bark if you are interested in this little cutie.

Auggie is the second pup of four in my home who loves contact with his human and like his brothers he is now 8 weeks old. He enjoys quiet time for just soft hugs, kisses, and pets while he observes his brothers around him. Like all the pups they are also teething and often want to nip at the hands that give good things so if they get too rough and persist I just put them down till later.

Auggie is also one of the larger of the four pups I am fostering. Eating time is a frenzy when they all try and get into the same bowl going round and round the bowl so I now put two bowls down but it sure does not slow the process. They do share well and there have been no issues around the food bowl.

Like his brothers Auggie sleeps from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am and like his brothers is eager to get the day started with a potty break and then breakfast. After breakfast they potty again and then settle down with full tummy's for a nap. Potty training is a work in progress and they are definitely doing pretty well at this point. All the pups in my house have a corral pen and except for brief periods out that is where they eat, sleep, play, and still potty especially overnight. Daytime is very much less as they go outside every 2-3 hours especially after nap time.

They are learning to come when called and do this consistently when they hear the food bag or tinkle of food going in the pan. This is when they get a few kibble for coming when called to reinforce this behavior.

Auggie will be neutered with his brothers on Oct. 15th and when recovered will be ready for adoption.