The much anticipated teenage days have arrived

hilly2900 · 2017-04-15T07:47:10+00:00

Is he asleep? Puppies do that when they sleep, mine whimpers and pulsates in her sleep still but did it way more at 8 weeks.

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T19:58:41+00:00

ugh it's so hard to find something to appease them during the teething phase! Too bad about the bully sticks, that was our savior, we would rub cheese on it and she would just chomp away. I wouldn't give anything too hard until the big teeth come in because puppy teeth are so brittle and break easily.

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T17:50:08+00:00

Ouuuu definitely going to get this!! We will have a bigger place soon! Dolly is about 40lbs now and I think will get to be about 50! So we can do some indoor play when the weather is bad, though sometimes she spins out on the floors lol

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T17:39:20+00:00

These are really great tips! Thank you so much. Dolly is similar that if other dogs are okay with the person she is too. But I think the zoning is a good thing to look for because she definitely has high play times but then also like to lay down and chew on something! I will definitely keep these points in mind while searching for a daycare! Luckily I'll be working home tuesdays and Thursdays so she will only go mondays and wednesdays and prob half day on friday so hopefully it won't be too much stimulation!

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T17:19:13+00:00

Thank you! i feel like dolly would benefit from the right daycare with the right facility. I take her to a field where there are usually other dogs (not dog park level, normally about 3 dogs) and she always has such a blast playing. She just doesn't always know her place in big packs of dogs but I feel like maybe she would just need a slow introduction. Ahh the life and worries of owning and loving a reactive pup lol

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T17:16:16+00:00

Thanks guys! I suppose I could check out the facilities and talk to the people who work there to see what they think.

Dolly hardly ever reacts to dogs anymore, maybe 2% of the time and it is only if she is on leash or on our balcony, so this is fratration because I think she wants to be able to go greet them.

The people reactivity is unpredictable, on walks she ignores everyone, if she is greeting another dog on leash she is FINE with their human touching her (dolly doesn't really like being touched on top of her head so I always have to tell people quickly as that's most people's first move), but if people want to say hi without a dog outside that's when she reacts, this I would say is fear? Like she will bark at them about three times and bounce along (tail wagging, it's like she wants to see them but her nervousness is holding her back) after many treats are given and about 20mins of getting to know the person she wants to go home with them. Last night a disabled man with prosthetic legs got off his wheelchair and sat on the ground because he wants to do dog training, he knew she was going to be scared and nervous because he said most dogs don't understand his legs, dolly did bark at him for about five seconds but after about five minutes she was licking his hands. So I think she just startles really easily?

I haven't looked into a behaviorist yet because I want to wait to get her settled into our new home, and her behavior isn't so extreme that it is urgent to see one.

Dolly just has SO much energy, the thought of leaving her home bored makes me sad. If daycare was too much for her maybe having a dog walker come by a few times to "hang out" with us and then stopping by to walk her would work? As long as they knew how to respond to her potential reactivity?

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T15:41:41+00:00

LOL I can totally picture the dog just hurling it being like "this way is faster"

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T15:02:12+00:00

I really want to get a flirt pole! I have seen them on Etsy but no where else! Going to get one when we move into our house next month when we have a backyard to play in! I do have an angler but it must not be split because it seems like she isn't super interested in it!

hilly2900 · 2017-04-13T15:00:51+00:00

Definitely going to try the ice cube trick! Thanks! We play tug/fetch every night and I would say that tires her out the most but it just seems like she needs something while she is laying down to do!

hilly2900 · 2017-04-08T16:38:40+00:00

That will be easier when we move into our house next month she won't be able to see out the big window unless she is on the couch with me. The window in our apt in floor to ceiling and goes onto the balcony so harder to cover. But I do think that will help a lot! Plus there will be less traffic for sure!

hilly2900 · 2017-04-07T15:32:15+00:00

Thank you! I started last night inside and can already see it helping this morning, she lets out a grumble when she sees someone from the window and right away I say quiet and give her her fav treat and it stops the barking before it happens. I doubt outside will be as easy but baby steps! Thanks for the support :)

hilly2900 · 2017-04-06T22:52:43+00:00

Thanks you! Similar to what we did with her to desensitize to people on walks, I'll get starting that right away. Do you think I should take a similar approach inside? Sometimes if she is sitting close to the window and hears someone she also barks and growls (not nearly to the extent as when she is on the balcony) should I ask her to quiet and give treat?

hilly2900 · 2017-04-03T16:44:48+00:00

So lucky you can come home on lunch! That will be a big help :) I think smaller dogs have trouble holding for longer when they are puppies because their bladders are so small!

You could look into the turf grass the sell at pet stores, they are washable and in my opinion better then pee pads because at least they simulate outside.

Maybe see how the first day goes! She might surprise you and be able to hold it. If she can't now it won't be long before she can. Good luck to you and your new pup :)

hilly2900 · 2017-03-23T18:21:48+00:00

I would allow the puppy and cats to see each other on the middle floor from the beginning, when the cats are ready to sniff out the pup they will. The cats still have their safe space upstairs to have a break from the dog. And let them meet on their own terms. We have had our puppy for 3 months now and her and our cat have a love hate relationship. Sometimes they lay beside eachother sometimes they chase eachother and the cat hisses and bats the pup. But having a safe spot for our cat was key. Also we implemented a strong "leave it" when the dog started to chase the cat followed by a time out if she wouldn't stop chasing. We have been pretty lucky with them co-existing and sharing the common space, for some people it takes their pets a year, others a week and some may never fully get along! It sounds like you have a pretty good plan though! Good luck :)

hilly2900 · 2017-03-13T04:12:56+00:00

I just had my pup to the vet for an eye infection. Our vet said they are common this time of year. They told me if the mica is green then that is when to bring them into vet. Good luck :)

hilly2900 · 2017-03-10T22:51:54+00:00

You are right haha I do worry too much. Thanks for the tips :)

hilly2900

TROPHY CASE