My sincerest apologies

I have really failed at keeping this updated, but I feel an update is in order.

Dixon started his training as an animal model and did his first job back in June or July. It was basic sit/stay stuff and he was amazing at it. Around that time he did a feature film that comes out this year, he did this with the other office dogs and seemed to enjoy it greatly.

In September/October he did a shoot for AT&T a commercial where he had to fetch a ball, which he is now an expert at, he did it for almost 3 hours straight. After that my boss and I felt it was time for him to get SDIT status, we obtained that by him passing his AKC canine good Citizen and his therapy dog international test.

To put this to the test I took him to South Carolina with me for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. He flew like a pro.

There were a few notable experiences, one was on the first flight we were going through security and a small purse dog had eluded it's owner. Dixon did sniff the dog that came barreling at him but did not react when the dog "snarked" at him. I was most impressed with that.

When we landed in Charleston at Christmas time, Dixon executed a perfect off leash heel as i wrestled with my bags. He stayed by my side as we entered the airport and noticed another purse dog out of it's case and a german shepherd on leash ( think it was a guide dog), Dixon did a perfect paws up to I could grasp his handle and leash as we left. The shepherd barked at him and Dixon ignored it, he even ignored when the purse dog came up and sniffed his butt, an area he has been sensitive in.

He was great throughout the holidays and certainly minded his manners.

At Thanksgiving we went to my old dorm and I put Dixon in a downstay using a tennis ball to keep his attention, I purposefully put him the in the middle of the floor and watched as people stepped over him and walked around him, his eyes never left mine.

For the past weeks Dixon and I have been doing an agility class together, he is very happy and determined, but unfortunately his feet are about 5 minutes faster than his brain.

He doesn't slow down too well and regularly falls off the equipment, I am fearful that not only will he get injured but he will become fearful of the equipment.

With that in mind I have decided not to continue with his agility training at this time, we have instead enrolled in obedience training which starts 3/7.

I want as a reminder to teach him the following things:
1. Pick up the leash when I drop it.
2. Find "Help" (Or a specific person, I will teach him "mom" which will be my own mother, as well as my boss, and also teach him to find Anthony.)
3. Find the car.
4. Him to get over his fear of his butt being touched (he only flinches but I don't want him to flinch anymore)

The biggest challenge I have encountered is giving Dixon enough exercise with all the snow we have, it certainly has been a challenge.