Pumpkin and Lola have become good friends and rough-housing buddies. See video below.

Two days ago I let go of his leash after a training session and we played fetch for a while. He doesn't bring the ball back directly. He first has to run around a bit, showing off with it. When he sees that I don't run after him like the other dogs do, he eventually comes back and drops the ball nearby. We have much work to do to get him to place it in my hand.

On another training angle...he has learned to touch the target stick in all directions as well as look at it on cue. He will also take and tug a canvas tummy on cue. His sit and down stays have improved to the point where I no longer need to use the Comfort Trainer or leash. His heeling often still requires the Comfort Trainer if he is in a distraction zone. We are also working on the "sleep" cue, where he'll lie on his side with his head down. He can hold that for about 10 seconds with me close by his face.

While he and Lola have become good friends, he still challenges Princess and Jasmin snaps at him every time he gets near her. She also goes after him when he plays with Lola. She really dislikes Pumpkin. Princess tolerates him, but only because I make her.

Pumpkin has finally gotten the gist of performing a sit and down stay as I move completely around him. He still has his moments of getting up, but is easy enough to replace. This dog has proven to be a typical hard-headed Aussie. When he REALLY wants his way he bulldozes through and there's no getting him back unless caught or he makes the decision to do so.

He normally gets along with every dog he meets, though he's no marshmellow if another dog confronts him. It doesn't normally go beyond snarls and growls along with a paw over the shoulder. He will back off immediately if I intervene with a harsh tone.

He now knows sit-up and stay, twirl to the right and has the beginnings of a shake. Though he barks a lot during play (especially to instigate play) he hasn't picked up on the speak; even when I have him next to the girls as they do it.

I believe he's finally housetrained; provided I get up at 5:30 am and get him outside. He has spent the past month urinating on the area rugs on the main floor of the pet retreat. Luckily, he hasn't chosen any of the toys from the shelves as his own. He'd rather steal a toy from the girls when they walk away from it. That so reminds me of my past Aussie, Sydney. She got in horrific fights with Cherry, my Springer. I broke 2 toes breaking up those fights. They rarely came away with a scratch.

Pumpkin still has issues with heeling but he's definitely getting better. So far I've resisted using a Comfort Trainer, but when it comes to working on distraction proofing I believe I'll go ahead and introduce it.

Pumpkin is slowly learning the house rules. He's had a few tiffs with my girls, usually over toys or being near me. He will stop the behavior when I say, Ahh! in a low tone. Then he acts as though he did nothing wrong. He's still super friendly with other dogs - the pet retreat guests. He can sometimes be a little overwhelming on the young ones, but not dangerously so.

We're still working on heeling. I've been a bit inconsistent on his lessons due to having broken rib #9. It's tough to move and will be for 4-6 weeks. Meanwhile, though I do work on his tricks as well as come, sit, down and stay. He has gotten really good at sit-up and lifting his paw. He is still a little rusty on twirl and hasn't gotten the gist of speak. Pumpkin is a natural retriever but tends to lose interest after a couple retrieves.

When it's wet outside I can assured he'll come in muddy and grinning. Another thing that is assured is that he'll wiggle all over whenever my husband comes home. such an Aussie!

It has now been a week and a half since Pumpkin entered my life. At first he was good as gold as many dogs are when in a new environment. He was "feeling" out his new world; how to interact with my other dogs, the cats, my husband and myself.

I began formal training sessions with him the day following his arrival. I am using a Freedom Harness and treats for positive reinforcement. At first he did not like any treat and I had to use cheese. Now he's ammenable to almost anything I can offer.

Pet interactions: When he first meets another dog he's friendly and playful. Living with them is a different story. He can be quite challenging as he does not give in to my girls. After a week here he began snarling at the other dogs if they had something he wanted or were located somewhere he wished to be; namely, my feet.

Pumpkin loves toys and we've already started learning the rules of Fetch. While he readily returns with a toy, he usually drops it nearby instead of handing it to me. I'm sure he'll catch on to the rules soon.

He's quickly learning obedience skills. Come and sit was accomplished within days. Stay is started with slight movement in front of him. He will go down on command. His heeling needs lots of work but he quickly learns with lots of turns. I can now walk with him without his pulling too hard all the time.

At night all my dogs do tricks for treats. Pumpkin has learned sit-up and is learning shake as well. He readily performs side by side with my other dogs without distraction. He does, however, try to take the treats from the other dogs when I offer them. I've had to push him away when this occurs.

Pumpkin has begun chewing on inappropriate objects such as area rugs, chairs, my desk, etc. Luckily, this has only been done in my presence so that I can easily redirect his actions. He does not seem to do this when I'm not present.

Another behavior he's tried lately is urinating indoors. I caught him in the act yesterday and he hasn't done it since. It seems that with gentle guidance and persistence he gets the message and is learning how to achieve rewarding goals.

Overall, he's a very sweet, personable dog who wants nothing more than to be caressed and nearby.