dogs in training
NSD Hiero
Hiero is currently with his Adult raiser. He is being taught a foundation of house manners and cues for becoming a well-socialized part of the community. He is preparing for his next adventure at NSD University in November 2024!
Woof! Woof!
(Hello!)
Breed: Lab x Golden Retriever
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: October 3, 2022
Sire: SSD Tico
Dam: CPL Fausta
Litter: H Litter
Breeder Sponsor: Wellington Laboratories
Puppy Sponsor: Friends & community partners at Dogtopia Newmarket. Hiero (Pronounced hero) is Irish in origin, meaning ‘name of a saint’
Volunteer Team: Pat & Bruce Ireland, Ina Wilhelm
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Hiero's Updates
January 2023
Hiero can be very calm or very playful or very cuddly. He is just the sweetest puppy. He quickly learns new cues and enjoys practicing the ones he already knows. His outdoor loose-leash walking is progressing well. It is fun to watch him grow and learn and enjoy new experiences with confidence.
June 2023
Hiero is working on new skills like up-up, off and working with other handlers. He continues to work on all the skills he has learned up to this point in grade school with added distractions as well.
August 2023
Hiero is a cheerful, fun-loving, yet very calm 10-month old who has recently learned that he loves to swim. He is happy in any situation, be it out in jacket, on a long car ride, enjoying the great outdoors, playing with his favourite toy or just relaxing or napping. He is a quick learner, loved by all who meet him, but despite his natural curiosity, he would always rather be near his people.
November 2023
Oh my, what a cuddly dog Hiero has become! He is so sweet as he continues to grow and mature. His interest in exploring this world and all its sights and sounds has taken on a new dimension now that he is in his teenage phase. He loves the beach! Hiero is 100% ready to get down to business when out in public in jacket and impresses everyone he meets. He is an eager learner and is wonderfully well mannered around the home. It is such an honour to be his raiser.
January 2024
Hiero is continuing to work on his skills and manners. He has successfully mastered so many cues and has excellent manners around the house. He is affectionate, playful, and just an overall sweet personality. He enjoys playing with his doggie friends, munching on his doggie chews and spending time with his people. A very enjoyable and fun little fellow who is always keen to practice all the skills that he has learned.
April 2024
Hiero continues to develop a wonderful curiosity of the world around him. Hiking in nature is a super sniffing opportunity and it is so much fun to watch him continue to grow and learn. He is at the point where he is very solid in his required cues and is learning the value of settling quietly. Jacket time is one of his favourite activities. He has spent innumerable hours watching Waterloo Minor Hockey and has become an honorary Waterloo Wolf complete with bandana. Such a fantastic companion no matter where he is!
October 2024
I am now in high school classes! I’m really starting to get the hang of this service dog thing, so my puppy raiser takes me to lots of new and exciting places to practice. I am also learning new advanced skills such as 'back,' 'touch,' 'chin,' and stepping on the perch pot. In class, I practice stairs and different under-footings and work for new and different handlers. This is an important step in preparing me for the next phase of my training. At home, I am polishing up my manners around meal times, guests, and outdoor walks. Now that I have more impulse control, I get to have more freedom around the house and get to sleep out of my crate some nights.
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