Adjustments

We have made it to day five already!  The last few days have been a bit of an adjustment for everyone.  

This is the first time that my family has had two puppies living in our house.  Sure, we have puppy sat before, but even Dante knows it is different this time.  It has taken a few days, but I think we are settling into a routine.  

Dante was not quite sure what to make of Moray.  Somehow, he knew that Moray was here to stay.  Maybe it was because I brought him home, instead of like when Young was here, his people brought him.  Dante has been doing very well overall.  The first three days or so, he played a very little bit with Moray, but for the most part avoided him.  When they did interact, Dante was not sure what to do with the little ankle-biter.  He would give me the most confused look, and then gently nose Moray's belly, making him somersault.  

"Why did you do this to me, Mom?"

Pushing Moray over. 

Dante has been fantastic about sharing, and even leaves Moray's baby toys alone.  He has shown a little jealousy, like on Saturday, I was sitting on the floor with Moray, and called Dante "Here" from another room.  Dante came bounding around the corner, fully intending to comply until he spotted Moray in my lap, and then he turned and walked away.  Over the last couple days, he has been realizing that life continues on, he still gets his one-on-one training, cuddle, and public outing time with me, and he has been doing much better in that aspect.  

On Friday night Young's raisers invited Dante and I to attend a horse show with them.  Not only were all the distractions of people, horses, and pet dogs great for him, but it was his first time working alongside another Puppy in Training in public.  Both of them did fantastic!

 

Watching the warm up ring.  Unfortunately, the only picture I took.

Moray is your typical 8 week old puppy.  He is settling in pretty well.  He has been having a few accidents every day, but that has mostly been my fault.  But I can't say I'm not looking forward to when he can hold his bladder for more that 45 minutes!  ;-)  

On Friday, we took him to the vet just to weigh him (he doesn't weigh enough to activate our bathroom scale), and even though he had his first round of vaccines before he left CCI, they wanted to do an initial check up.

Moray is a very independent and feisty little guy!  He is learning not to throw a fit when he is confined to his X-pen, and not bark and whine when his leash prevents him from getting where he wants.  ;-)  He is getting very good at making eye contact when I call his name, has a good concept of "Hurry," and is learning "Sit."

He is obsessed with Dante's bone.

Me Too!

We have been sitting still in the church pew for over an hour now.  I am amazed that after a few days of too much school to do, and even more rain, that Dante has behaved himself as well as he has for the last few hours.  For not getting as much exercise as he really needed in the last few days, he has made it through Sunday morning better than I expected.  I honestly prepared myself to have to sit outside with him.  But he is great, and laying so still.

Until.

You see, Dante thinks he is entitled to certain things.  Oh, like kibble when he does something well.  Hence why a pouch of treats on the hip is a necessity of any fashionable outfit in my life.  It usually works quite well; Dante does something I like, I praise and (at his age, occasionally) reward him.

Dante is very good about not begging for food when we go out to eat.  But, he also knows that people do not eat in Church.  And he apparently thinks that anything I have in my hand is meant for him.  Or so he thought.

This week we had Communion, and Dante thought he was entitled to partake.  As the plate was passed down the row, Dante's head popped up.  "Uh-oh," I think.  My eyes meet my mom's and we know we are in for it.  I put my foot on the leash, just as Dante tries to sit up.  We spend a few minutes with Dante trying to pop up without avail, but then he settles down again.  Just as I let my guard down, "WOOF!"  I quickly cup my hand over his muzzle, "Quiet!"  I whisper.  

I look up, everyone was startled at first, but then started laughing.  It is times like these that I am incredible thankful for a Church Family that is supportive of puppy raising and loves Dante.  But that doesn't mean puppy raising does not have its embarrassing moments.  

Thank you, Dante, for keeping me humble. 

On Public Outings

I do not know how many times I have heard from people, "I wish I could bring my dog everywhere too."

Once you get past the "it is illegal unless they are service dogs," and into the it is "cool to have a dog with you at the movies," one really can not blame them, seeing that they have little-to-no experience with service dogs and the effort that it takes to get them comfortable in public.

 And it does take a lot of effort, and sometimes a good dose of embarrassment to traipse around with a puppy.  Once Dante got past the I-am-going-to-bark-my-head-off-because-I-am-bored phase, it has become a great deal more enjoyable.  While most of the time having Dante in tow adds a whole new level of fun and interesting, I leave him in his crate on a regular basis because I just need a break.  And I haven't even touched on the million things you bring in your doggy diaper bag: poop bags, treat pouch, clean-up supplies, water bottle, poop bags, vest, extra leash, pamphlets to hand out, oh and did I mention poop bags?

 There are some places that a puppy raiser does not enjoy taking their puppy to for one reason or another, but they do it anyways because it is good exposure.  Mine is Whole Foods.  Don't get me wrong, I actually like this store, but it is hard for a puppy.

It starts before you even get inside.  It is in the city, which means noise, noise, and lots of distractions.  Oh, and the train that comes through right across the street.  The only spot to "hurry" is the concrete strip between parking space rows.  This, in reality, isn't bad because puppies in training need to be able to relieve anywhere, but with all the distractions, and even though Dante is awesome about going on any surface, it takes a looooooong time to get business done.

Inside the store, the aisles are narrow, and it is always mobbed with people.  Again, this is a good thing for Dante to be able to work through, but it is inevitable that someone always bumps into him.  The fact that the floor is the same color as Dante's fur, does not help matters much either.

 You may be asking, "Then why do you go there?"  Because it is so good for Dante's training.  He may end up with someone who lives in the city and so he needs to be comfortable there and not get distracted.  He needs to learn how to stay focused on his handler when there are sooo many good things very close around him.  And he has already learned not to be startled and whip around when someone brushes up against his side.  So, we will continue on these, our not-so-favorite outings, loaded with treats! ;-)

If it weren't for the bright yellow vest, I don't think we would risk it ;-)

Shopping Buddy

 When I first started taking Dante on public outings, he had a hard time figuring out what he was supposed to do.  He did well if I was continually working him and giving him commands/walking, but as soon as we stopped, he would start barking because he didn't understand that he could just sit or lie down and chill out.  


So, up until around six weeks ago, his outing would be really short (under 15 minutes).  He was with me but I wasn't "working" him in the sense that he was doing commands and such, but trying to teach him that it is OK to do nothing sometimes.  About six weeks ago I think it finally clicked into his brain, and he has been doing fantastic ever since.  He will only let out the very occasional woof! and has even been able to come with me and sleep through church and lunch afterwards.  


The last few weeks, I have been re-introducing "real work" into Dante's outings, and he has proven himself to be a fabulous sidekick who can transition easily from working to sleeping ;-)

A funny example:  A few weeks ago, I had Dante at Kroger, and he was barking like crazy and I couldn't get him to quiet down, so I left with him.  My mom took him back the next week by herself, and one the employees came up to them and said, "Dante is doing so well today; he hasn't barked at all!"  I get really embarrassed when Dante starts barking, so I love that our grocery store is so welcoming of puppies in training and understand that "in training" does mean that they are not perfect!

I love practicing "jump" at Kroger, because these are low, wide and sturdy, and a different surface under his paws.  

 We practiced some obedience in the empty isles.

I have proof that you can sit well on a slick floor.  You now have no excuses.

"I can even jump onto a slippery shelf!"

Only $5.99?  You're coming with me, cutie pie!

This was really funny, because when I put him in an "under" and backed up to take this picture, a lady came up behind me and took his picture too!  I swear it's like traipsing around with a celebrity.   ;-)

And then when my ankle starts hurting, Dante can settle well at a table while we wait for my mom to finish her shopping.

Tired puppy = successful day!