The Rosie Road, part 4 Miley's Report Card

Miley's time at patti's "puppy boot-camp" was over; our training pact was two weeks.  Her little persons couldn't stand to have Miley away any longer so she was going home.

MILEY'S REPORT CARD

Crate Behavior     A+

Miley never had an accident in her crate.  She stays calm and quiet in her crate and sleeps almost through the night.

Potty Training     B

Miley is on her way to understanding that her potty-place is OUTSIDE, and NOT in the house.  She runs to the door when she has to poop, but her teeny, tiny bladder sometimes take her (and me) by surprise.

Freedom in the House     C

Miley did not graduate into full access through the house.  She is still restricted to the kitchen, with supervised forays allowed in the living room.  Upstairs and downstairs are still off-limits, until she  proves she can be trusted.

Commands     B-

Miley knows these commands:  SIT, WAIT, DOWN, and OK.  She sits and waits patiently for the "OK" release before her three daily meals.  When I say "DOWN" she drops to her belly, her eyes keen for a "treat."  (I use morsels of her food as treats.)  She almost "ROLLS OVER" on command, but she needs lots of practice to master this.

Do NOT expect Miley to "COME" when you call her--this is an advanced, off-leash command that is accomplished only after she can do every command on-leash.  For now, work on "name recognition."  When she is on-leash near you, say her name (once), and give her a treat when she looks at you.  Eventually you can extend this into a game of "hide-and-seek"--hide from her, call her name, and give her a treat when she finds you (make her sit first).  This exercise sets the stage for the COME command.

OVERALL EVALUATION     B

Miley is a sweet puppy who is eager to please and enthusiastic to learn.  She is almost "housebroken" but will need continued close supervision and strong leadership or she will regress.

Information about her breed, the Yorkshire Terrier:  the Yorkie breed is of the "terrier" group--intelligent "natural born killers" bred to hunt rats.  You must be careful to treat Miley like a DOG, not a baby, or she will become a victim of the dreaded "little dog syndrome."

Thanks for the opportunity to work with Miley; I thoroughly enjoyed her.  To insure her continued success, please follow my recommendations spelled out in my article PUPPY POTTY TRAINING step one and step two. 

I suspected Miley's humans would find it difficult to follow-up with consistency; this was not their first attempt to add a canine to their family.  Secretly, I hoped their frustration would lead to giving up on her, in which case I would gladly give Miley a new home.  I had become attached to the cute little terrier!

In the end, it was best that Miley stayed with her girls, or I would never have become a puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind!

The Rosie Road, part 3 MILEY

Intercepted emails from Miley in "doggy camp" to her little persons.

1/7/08

Hi kids!

I just want you to know I am having fun here at aunt patti's doggy camp.  I am learning to go potty outside.  (It helps that the snow is melting.)  Patti's dog Gypsy is showing me what to do.  Last night I slept all night in my crate.  I liked that patti put it in her bedroom in case I got scared.  (But I didn't!) I was ready to play at 6:30 this morning, but first I had to go outside to poop and pee, and after that Gypsy and I ate breakfast.  I have to "sit" before I can eat breakfast, lunch, AND dinner (patti is teaching me how).   Then I got to play.

 

That's me in the picture having breakfast (after I sat) in my new play yard in patti's kitchen.  It's all for me!

miss you, love and puppy kisses!  Miley

1/8/08

Sorry it's so late, but I had a busy day at work today.  Yep, I went to work with aunt patti and Gypsy.  You can see me safe in my crate in patti's work truck (I'm glad I have my bunny).  We went lots of places.  First I met everyone on patti's team really early in the morning (there were some BIG dogs there!), then we drove a looong way in her truck.  She let me get out alot to pee, but sometimes I got distracted because there were too many new things to see and sniff.  Oh, and I met a nice little doggie named Sam and his little person just about your age, Maddy.  

It rained alot today, but mostly I stayed warm and dry in my crate.  I got to eat lunch right in the truck!  Then we drove a looong way back home and played and played.  I'm getting good at chasing the ball and bringing it back, although sometimes I like to tease patti and run away instead.  Gypsy let me jump into her soft new bed she got from Santa!

I'm doing pretty good learning not to mess in the house, but patti has to pay closer attention to me.  She still hasn't figured out when I try to tell her "I gotta go!"  I had two mistakes today, but lots of other times I did okay.  I LOVE  to go outside, there are so many things to smell and chase, like leaves!  Plus, I follow Gypsy around.

I hope you are having as much fun as me!  I miss you!  Tomorrow we don't have to go to work.  I wonder what we'll do....

puppy kisses, Miley  (aunt patti says "hi!")

1/9/08

Hey Maddy!  I have to go to bed now, but I wanted to let you know how much fun I had today.  Patti is finally learning to know when I tell her I have to go out.  I gave her a good hint--I ran to the back door and she took me out!  I pooped and peed outside ALL DAY!

Patti made me a fun toy to keep me busy thinking.  She took a plastic bottle and cut a hole in it and then put some of my food in there.  I was scared at first, but then I figured it out--when I roll it around pieces fall out and I get to eat them! Is this what you do in school?

Patti teaches me lots of things.  When I fetch she tells me to "drop."  Sometimes I get excited and try to bite her hands or clothes, but she tells me "NO" and I stop.  I try to be a good puppy!

I miss you!  I can't wait to get home, but first I want to be the very bestest puppy I can!

love and puppy kisses, Miley