Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Sunshine and Roses

I wish I could start this post by saying that I have been insanely busy and just do not ever have time to blog, but that's not entirely true.  I have been busy, but most of it is chalked up to just not feeling like writing.  I guess it's about time I get over it and start again.  I don't want to write because I "have to," I want to do it because I want to, and I just haven't felt like it lately.  But anyways.

I will spare you all of the "catching up" that I could do, and just start from now.  

I don't know how to put it delicately, but Dante has pretty much been a pain in the neck lately.  I know it's just his age, but man does this pup have an attitude!  I do love Dante, but right now he's pretty hard to like. He has spent a considerable amount of time in his crate lately.  And I am thankful for my awesome mother who has taken him for me more than once so I could get a break from him.  I think it's one of those times when you're like "if I could just get a couple days away from you, I'd like you a heck of a lot better when you get back!" 

I don't want to make this blog a place for venting or complaining, but puppy raising is not all sunshine and roses.  And it's the truth so I don't want to keep it out either.  

The one thing that I have noticed is that it is only at home that he is so bad.  He has great manners almost all the time when out in public, but when we get home he heads South.  I think it is maybe because he does not have the same level of expectation for behavior at home then when out.  No, I don't let him get away with stealing things and being a maniac, but he usually is loose and free to do pretty much what he wants: play with toys, sleep, etc.  But he's not "controlled" by me.  Or at least he doesn't think so.  So he will get really sassy and think he doesn't have to listen to what I (or anyone in the house) tells him to do.  Today he spent a good part of the day on-leash (gentle leader and  all).  he was a little better, but man, does he put up a fight when he's not in the mood to listen.  

Patience, patience, Hannah.  This too shall pass. . .

9 comments:

  1. Im sorry he's acting up i know how frustrating that can be. It seems the golden in him is really coming out goldens tend to usually act up even more then labs when they hit that teenage stage. They do grow out of it so dont give up.

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    1. Thanks,Ashley! That's makes me feel a little better. :|

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  2. Hang in there and remember to praise, praise, praise, every time he does something right. It helps you feel better, too. :)

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  3. When I am out with my husband and his CCI hearing dog, many times people will come up and compliment us on how well behaved Nettie is. They usually ask how she was trained. Along with talking about CCI we tell them about all of the wonderful puppy raisers that are out there. We tell them that it is the puppy raisers that are doing the hard work and the patience they have in order to turn out these exceptional dogs! You are doing a wonderful job with Dante. Dante's future companion will be forever grateful for all of these difficult times you've gone through and the patience you had in order to turn Dante into the exceptional dog that he will become!

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    1. Leslie, you have no idea how much your comments always encourage me - thank you! It's stories like yours that make every one of these moments worth it!

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  4. It's funny, some dogs need to be on a lead for a much longer period of time than other dogs. Coach is rarely on a lead, but he is so calm and good, that we can trust him not to be a bad boy. But Jam and Bingo got into everything so until about 8-10 months, they were on tie downs at all times in the house. They were never unhappy, they were with me or Fred. But they were always supervised. Try having him on more tie downs with supervised time. He may have too much freedom and just not know what to do with other than cause problems! 8-)

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    1. Thanks! D is rather horrible with a drag leash or tie down - he ALWAYS has to have it in his mouth. But I think it is exactly what you said - too much freedom. I have kept him on leash with me for the majority of the day and that has definitely helped.

      I always love to hear everyone's suggestions, thanks!

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  5. Oh, I so feel you on this one. ...and that pretty much sums it up. haha

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