Last night was our first session of puppy class.  I think obedience/training is important for all dogs and especially their owners but even more important for “bully breeds.”  In order to be good ambassadogs, we as a team need to put our best foot and paw forward and do everything we can to promote good citizenship.  The best way to do that is for me to learn to be the best owner I can be.  With the proper tools, practice and lots of treats, we will get there.
Class consists of 5 pups all under six months of age.  Ray is the youngest but of the five, he is exactly in the middle in terms of size.  We have Juno the mastiff, Caemus (sp?) the weimaraner, Ray, a cute little bichon mix whose name starts with M but escapes me at the moment, and Izzy the chihuahua.  Great class, very low key and positive conducted in a wonderful atmosphere.  All of the other pups have had exposure to other dogs except for Ray, who really hasn’t seen another dog since he left his litter.  We do have to neighbor dogs who bark from the other side of the fence, but he hasn’t really “met” them.  So, this week, Pitbull spent the  first 45 minutes of class hiding behind Mommy.  He did well in lessons from his hidey spot, but not until the end did he decide he wanted to play and socialize with the others.  After class he didn’t want to go home! 

Once home, he was ready for some serious sack time. Off to bed with nary a peep and this morning, we got in some good practice time before work.  With a little patience and a lot of treats, we just might get each other trained right.

Last Thursday, Ray was nine weeks old and had been with us for just a day short of two weeks.  In that time, he has outgrown two shirts and is nearly bursting the velcro on his jacket.  Even though he is all pink pot bellied baby around the midsection, I can see that his legs have grown taller, his chest and shoulders are getting deeper and muscular and I’ve already had to loosen his collar.  Little Ray now weighs in at over eleven pounds, nearly doubling his weight in two weeks.
I’ve noticed that his little legs and paws that were pudgy and chunky like a baby’s are now more substantial.  Dog legs.  He is still very puppy-ish, but sturdy and solid.  …And outgrowning his clothes at an alarming rate.
The best thing about this week and the addition of the tire toy shown here is that lunging and nipping are slowly decreasing.

 

A couple of years ago, when  I started yearning again for a dog, I wanted just that; a dog.  I didn’t want a puppy.  Never wanted to go through all that you go through with a puppy.  The plan, in my mind, was to rescue an adult dog and even possibly an Elderbull.  We’re busy and we have been able to take full advantage of the liberties allowed with cat ownership.  Cats are as self-sufficient as their lack of opposable thumbs allow.  They can usually self-feed withouth gorging themselves with the avaliblity of food and pretty much come out of the womb knowing how to use the litter box.  At least that was the case with my three geniuses.

Yesterday was especially stressful.  We have just re-listed our house in the hopes of moving up closer to work and into a great place with an in-ground pool so our realtor is sending a photographer to take some shots for the home listing TV show.  Very exciting, apart from the fact that we’ll need to move crates, cats and a puppy from room to room.  I did have the foresight to start dinner in a crock pot but that seemed to be the only thing on the ball.  We had a funeral visitation to attend after work and a house to stage for pictures.  And a puppy to care for.  A puppy who needed food, water, pottie breaks, play time and snuggle time.  It was a lot.  I understand the young and playfulness.  I get the gnawing and chewing and the constant need to correct and redirect.  It just gets to be a lot sometimes. 

I wouldn’t trade the little bugger for the world and I love him to pieces.  I spend an inordinant amount of time at work thinking about him and wishing I was back home with him…but there are those days (already) when I can hardly wait until he is older.

A tired puppy is a happy puppy and a happy mommy, too.  Since that beautiful yellow orb in the sky made a guest appearance today, Ray and I took the opportunity to have a little fun in the back yard.  Ray has several sweaters and a jacket which he still acts like he doesn’t want to wear, but after just a minute or two outside he starts shivering like a tasty leaf.  I think he really needs a pair of booties because he has a little wet piggy walk he does when he doesn’t want to be in the grass.  This afternoon, however,  I made a puppy-sized “flirt pole” and we had quite a romp in the sunshine.   We didn’t do any training, and it wasn’t a real flirt pole, but we had a good time.   He even forgot to shiver until playtime was over.  Then I swear, if he could have made his teeth chatter he would have.  I really should have taken a picture or video, but my phone was in the house.
To make your own flirt pole, see the experts at Bad Rap.  I’m eager to try this out ourselves in time.

The cats are still living primarily upstairs though Jae and Miko did come down on Sunday and watch the game with us.  As long as everyone kept to their assigned seats they were fine, and by assigned seats, I mean the puppy stayed on my lap.  Yes, on the sofa where no dogs are allowed.

Today was our pediatric vet appointment.  Ray wasn’t due for anything, but I just wanted him to get the once over and get used to the vet’s office.  We saw the new vet today by request because  I really was impressed by her when I took Miko in and even more so today.  Kevin was afraid that this office might not see pit bull type dogs, but I was pretty sure they would.  Well, not only that but our vet has a pit mix…and two cats!  And she is expecting, so bully for her!  Ray did pretty well, if I do say so myself.  Our mission, beginning in a couple more weeks will be to socialize him as much as possible.  I want to be good ambassadors for the breed and good advertisement for his rescue, Smiling K9’s Rescue. 

I never thought I would have a puppy and sometimes while correcting puppy bites and corralling a wound up tazmanian devil, I continue to question my sanity, but right now as I finish this post, a little snoring, wiggly  pig is settled in my lap and I’m glad he’s here.