Puppies are a lot of work. I know that; this isn't my first rodeo. But the piece I had forgotten was the "wearing down" part. Where you are consistent....so consistent! The first day. The second day.
And then around Day three, you find yourself letting a few small things go. Maybe not-too-important rules that you had said you wouldn't break. This time.
For example, I don't really want Dice going into Brito's pen. That's Brito's private space! And yet, I have removed him from that space many times and now...I'm tired. And Brito's not actually here to see it right now. And nothing bad is actually happening there. Except - I said I wouldn't allow that.
And that shoe he took from the bedroom? When I should have been watching or remembered to shut the door? Yeah, that shoe. I could get up for the 30th time in 45 minutes and work it out but...so very tired.
And there it is. A normal person, a dog trainer at that, doing their absolute best to balance out their personal needs for a few moments of peace with their puppy's need to explore, use their mouth, get exercise and freedom and develop their minds and bodies. I mean - I did choose a high drive puppy. A busy one who seems to do quite well with extremely little sleep.
So he got a shoe. And I should take it away. But I won't. I will add that to the list of things I'll deal with on another day.
Fortunately, I have a pretty good sense of what REALLY matters and those rules will be enforced every single time, under all circumstances, because I can see the damage that would be done otherwise. Up on my kitchen table? You will absolutely and positively be removed every single time, without fail. It is inevitable.
But that shoe. It seemed more important before the puppy arrived.
I'll deal with it later.Deep Dive into…toy play
If you struggle with getting a release off of toys or bite objects, or if you just want a sophisticated look at a dog‘s motivation around toys via fight, possession, prey (chase) behavior, and getting cooperation (release or toy return), watch this video. Obviously,...
I feel your pain except my “puppy” is a 2 year old BC rescue that had been taught nothing till he came to me 7 weeks ago! Smart as a whip and keeps pushing boundaries.But a real sweetheart and worth it. I keep reminding myself daily “be calm and consistent” no matter what.
I remember when Zip was a puppy, and he would steal the spoon I stirred my tea with off the counter. I shouldn’t leave it where he could get it, or I should … do something. But, he would play with it for 20 minutes. 20 blissful minutes in the early morning where I could drink my tea in peace. I left it there every day! : D
It reminds me of when I first became a single mom to two toddlers & working full time. I couldn’t give in on them being in a car seat, but chosing the clothes they wanted to wear to school. Evenutally, as long as it was clean and weather appropriate (no shorts in NJ in February), I was fine with it. Stripes, plaids and polka dots? I could have cared less. They were well loved and well fed. Most days were clean. Sometimes that was the best I could do
I’m still hunting down my shoes!! 8 1/2 month Havanese loves taking them around the house..not chewing them just moving them …think she should have been named Imelda!! I have a picture of her with 3 shoes, in her bed..not much more space.
Thanks for letting us see the “regular person” side of Denise. Some of your videos are so excellent that you seem bigger than life.
My 5 1/2 year old Golden still runs straight through to my husband’s closet to grab one, just one, of his sandals. I swore 5 years ago that I’d “fix’ that. No harm, no foul ;-))
Standing up to look at the new world on the counter has been the closest thing to a death sentence that most of my dogs have had to deal with. However, my now 8 year old high drive, ADHD dog can sleep through most of the night, but I’m still saying “Off” on pretty much a daily basis. Amazing how things become less important when the dog has worn you down…
I am smiling, but I totally sympathise. I haven’t forgotten what energy vampires the pups are – yet still looking forward to the next time!
What a mom! Should have gotten two more!!
Is that your shoe, could it be he wants your smell with him while he sleeps and figures this one already has holes in it.
Love it – thank you
So feel for anyone with a new pup – it is all wonderful, fun and rewarding yet some of the joy does pass you b when you are chronically tired. The first year of having my wonderful terrier pup, Alice was the most exhausting of my life to date
Oh yes! She’s 2+ now and still wants to snuggle with my shoes. At least now it is only snuggling. In the beginning it was destroying… We keep asking ourselves, “what were we thinking?!”
As my husband keeps saying, “if you weren’t so damn cute you’d be dead…”
How about letting the puppy out of the car on the ground right in front, so you can pop him back up should the need arise?
sounds like a good plan!