Blog Archive
Puppy love (the blog)
I have fallen completely and totally in Puppy Love. We got Layla our 3-month old Bassett Hound on May 4th. It was a bit overwhelming since we didn't plan this more than about 2 hours in advance. My in-laws had gotten her and her sister a couple weeks before, but due to circumstances needed to get rid of at least one, if not both, of them. We breifly discussed taking her on a "trial basis" due to the fact that I am allergic to dog dander. When my husband came home from their house after "talking" to them about it, she was with him. We both fell instantly and completely in love with her.
The first few days were really tough, while we started the house breaking process. It is actually more a matter of training us than the dog at this point. We also had to "puppy proof" our house in one day. We have never owned a dog and our kids are out of the house now. I never realized how many cables, hanging, and floor level things we had!
Now...we're into the more fun part, We have all had some time to adjust, get to know each other a little, and get a little more prepared. We are seeing her personality developing and learning her likes, dislikes and quirks. I have a feeling she'll be training us soon. If any fellow Humzooers have any advice or ideas on making our baby a good and healthy dog...I'm all ears!
What a sweetie! I am glad you got her!
You're not the only one who's all ears by the looks of the picture:-)
Anyway, never let her do anything that you don't want her to do. Sounds obvious but sometimes people will let their dog do something sometimes but not others and a dog doesn't understand the concept of sometimes. When it really is a problem is with big dogs who, when a puppy will be cute and cuddly on the couch or in the bed but as a 50+ lb lump, less so.
Good advice LimeyGeorge! (and I'm glad you caught my pun!) We have a strict "no puppy in the bed" rule (see comment about allergies) and we are trying to be consistent in other aspects as well. It is hard to make sure we use the same words for things each time so she always knows what is expected. Joey & I have a hard enough time with that and we both speak the same language!
Well, with our girls--yes, we got two puppies on the same day six years ago--we just walked them, rolled with them, slept with them (early on, but not on the bed, on the floor), scratched them, threw the ball for them, and loved them. Now, they are the best pals for our son, Galvin (almost three), and our daughter, Gwendolyn (almost a year old), and they are very loyal...sometimes obedient. Well, you know, they are almost older than me, if you think about it, so I guess they are beginning to believe they're in charge around here. Obviously, they didn't get that memo from our kids...
George definitely has good advice. Puppy owners tend to let puppies do things "because they are cute and funny" and then later regret the action. Quick dog training story. 95-lb. male Doberman. The owners had to feed him in the basement by dropping the bowl on the floor and pushing it in with a broom. Otherwise, they'd get bit or at least attacked. When he was a cute little puppy, he growled when anyone got close to his bowl. Everyone thought it was cute--until 95# of him lunged at them. Stopped being cute and he wasn't about to stop after doing it for so long. And at 95#, few were strong enough to argue the point.
Black and white. Always or never and you'll be amazed how quickly she learns. And be forewarned about 3-6 mos. Teething time. Even the best puppies get the urge to gnaw and shoes, rugs, carpet, wood cabinets are all at risk. Make sure she has lots of chew toys and give them to her any time she seems to need to chew until those teeth are in. :)
All good advice andiI swear by crate training. Its the easiest way to housebreak them. Also with puppies they need alot of exercise so they sleep when you do. Even though she is short haired- have your husband brush her daily and that will help cut down on the dander.
She is so cute! I'm totally jealous....I miss Tuesday when she was that small :( Now she's 48 pounds of skin and ears! The way I see it, 11-month old pups (which Tuesday is) are really teenagers. She's a rebel with four legs, two sad brown eyes, and one major attitude...and I love her for it! I'm sure we made all sorts of mistakes with her when she was that little, and I know she has bad habits...it's hard to know all the right things to do, and sometimes you'll just want to hide under the covers and never come out, but hang in there...she's perfect!
Just curious....what ended up happening with her sister?
I agree with dannie. Crate training is the way to go. They seem ot learn faster that way and adjust better. It wasn't 6 to 12 months before we were able to let the dogs have free roam of the house (with the exception of 1 dog, but that dog was abused so she will be totally different from a normal dog for the rest of her life.) LGrant is totally right as well. Don't let her get away with anything even if it is cute!
They ended up keeping her sister Cassie. The "circumstances" were that 3 puppies and two adults were added to their smallish house in a matter of 2 weeks. Everyone was going crazy. One less puppy was just enough to ease the pressure. Now Layla goes there for "doggie day care" and gets to play with sis but come home at night.
We are working on the crate training.
It's funny how people take offense at crates. They consider them cruel and abusive but they are coloring things with their own likes and dislikes. Dogs (and even cats!) love close spaces and a place of their own that separates them from the hectic world and gives them a cave to relax, sleep, and even hide out in occasionally. Most dogs will use the crate for a retreat if the door is left open. It's great for the time you are away as well as the time you can't pay attention and the puppy could potentially get in trouble or go potty because no one saw the signals.