Old favourites
Jasper’s purple octopus toy is still a firm favourite. He’ll pick it up and wander around with it, showing it off to anyone he can. It’s not a present though – he just wants you to look! Jasper has also built himself a quirky routine: he wakes up with us at about 6:30am each morning and takes all the toys out of his box, one by one. Then he does it again at 9:00pm before going to bed, as if he’s greeting them all in the morning, and then bidding them goodnight at the end of the day. It’s very cute!
Trains and planes
Peter did a skydiving jump for Guide Dogs and we took Jasper along with us. We were ready to take Jasper inside if he seemed nervous, but he took it all in his stride. It was a local airport with only small 12-seater planes, so it wasn’t too loud, but it was the first time Jasper had seen a machine take flight - he’d only seen birds until that moment. He was so relaxed! He’s such a confident pup, and nothing seems to faze him.
A little closer to the ground, we’ve also taken Jasper on a few train journeys. He loves them! We’ve been teaching Jasper to perform ‘under’, where one of us will sit down on the train, and then he’ll go beneath our legs and lie down. This helps to keep Jasper safe and out of the way while on busy public transport which is important as it might be something he uses regularly with his future owner. Jasper picks up new skills quickly and has gained a lot of confidence in the last few months. We’re so proud of him.
Socials and events
We also take Jasper to fundraising events with us which gives him the opportunity to meet people of all ages. He’s a very affable boy and always behaves appropriately. In fact, we’d say that he takes advantage of the attention he gets from the public; he loves being fussed, so after he’s got the okay from us, he’ll lie on his back and ask for belly rubs.
What’s next?
Jasper’s biggest challenge currently is his loose lead walking. He’s got a bit stronger recently, and because he’s so enthusiastic, he can struggle to slow down. We’ve introduced him to a gentle leader which fits comfortably over his nose and neck, and is designed to help dogs learn to walk without pulling. We introduced this slowly by holding it out for him to sniff and encouraged a positive association with treats. He’s now happy to wear it for short periods, and we’re building up the time gradually. He’s already making great progress with it!
Thank you so much for sponsoring Jasper. Find out how his training is going in your next Pupdate in June!
