Puppy Fun

FLD Gus keeps me on my toes...and then he falls asleep.  All in a day in the life of a young puppy.  Enjoy  this video of Gus playing with an ice cube...

 

Tuesday's Training TIP: SURVIVING A NEW PUPPY

Last week we handed in a one-year-old, well mannered, attuned-to-our-patterns Future Leader Dog (FLD).

Five days later we picked up an almost-seven-week-old, everything-is-new-and-nothing-is-controlled FLD puppy.

I am in "blank-slate-puppy" shock.  I need to follow my own advice:

TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW PUPPY

BE PATIENT

• Remember that this innocent little life is dependent on me for everything:  physical care, mental stimulation, boundaries, and rules.  He knows nothing except what his body dictates.  He doesn't even know his name.  Yet.

• I, and the puppy, must adjust to a changed living arrangement.  He is missing his mother and the warm pile of his siblings.  I am missing the carefree feelings that come with a trained, mannerly adult dog, in tune with our lifestyle.

• Every puppy is different.  Yet every FLD puppy needs his puppy-raiser to help him gain the social skills and confidence necessary to grow into an exceptional dog.

Seven-week-old FLD Gus is feisty, vocal, and not the snuggle-bug that FLD Mike was 10 months ago.  When Mike was seven-weeks-old and I carried him outside to "park" in the middle of the night, he nestled his nose into my neck, sweet puffs of puppy-breath sighing in my ear.  When I carry Gus out at 2:00 am, he cranes his head to peer through the darkness.  "Hurry up!" he seems to say to me.

BE CONSISTENT

• Take the puppy out to "park" every time he wakes up, gets out of his crate, or has a heavy "play" session, and 10-15 minutes after eating or drinking.

• Feed the puppy at 7:30 am, noon, and 6:00 pm; the same times every day.

• ALWAYS reverse direction when the puppy pulls against the leash.

• Have a Nylabone handy to offer as a suitable replacement whenever the puppy tries to chew something he shouldn't.  Say "Chew this!"

• Never allow play-biting.  Squeal loudly if the puppy nibbles my fingers, or cradle him in a "sit" position between my legs and hold his mouth closed until he relaxes, no matter how long it takes, or give him a smart scruff correction and say, "No!"

• Never reinforce inappropriate behavior with attention (even negative attention, like yelling, is attention).  Wait until the puppy is quiet to take him out of his crate.  Wait until the puppy is not jumping up to pet him.

• Reward appropriate behavior with lots of praise!

INTEGRATE TRAINING THROUGHOUT OUR DAILY ACTIVITIES.

Repetition creates ritual.

• Start teaching the puppy to "sit and wait" at each mealtime.

• Put the puppy in a "sit" before going up or down any stairs.

• Don't let the puppy rush ahead of me through doorways.

• Take the puppy on frequent, short walks.  (Remember?  A tired puppy is a good puppy!)

• Save a few morsels of food from each meal to use as training treats.  Practice name recognition often.  Give the morsels as a reward.

UTILIZE RESOURCES

• Read and follow the FLD puppy-manual we received with our new puppy.

• Attend puppy classes at Leader Dogs for the Blind.

• Call my puppy-counselor when I need advice.

• Share experiences with other puppy-raisers.

While it's amazing how quickly the puppy grows and learns, the first few weeks can seem like it will take forever before the puppy understands some basic rules:

• Chew this, not this.
• "Park" outside, not in here.
• Be quiet with four-on-the-floor before getting attention.
• "Sit and wait" for meals.

I must go easy on myself, and the puppy!  Gradually, he will "get it."

Today is FLD Gus's third morning living with us.  As I write this, he is curled up at my feet, sometimes with his chin resting on my foot, other times just anchoring his fuzzy back against my instep.

FLD Gus and I are bonding.  I can do this again!

Introducing: FLD GUS!

Accompanied by my husband Andy, my sister Anne, and her three girls (Elaina, Sofia, and Natalie), we picked up our 3rd Future Leader Dog puppy Saturday, September 18, 2010.  

Andy named him "Gus."

I've had horrific luck with cameras lately!  My DSLR got dropped when we returned FLD Mike and is now at the repair shop (I feel naked!).  The videos Sofia took of picking up FLD Gus are lost forever.  I set my "Flip" on the ground at the Cider Mill yesterday when Gus got into the bag of apples, and forgot to pick it up.  Andy graciously drove back when I discovered it missing some miles away, but we couldn't find it and thus far, no one has turned it in.  (Cider mills are notoriously busy this time of year in Michigan!)

Anyway, please welcome FLD Gus to this blog.  I'll let the pictures we took with our "backup" pocket digital tell the story...

My videographer, Sofia (with Natalie), captures the moment.

Andy getting FLD Gus kisses!

Me posing with FLD Gus at the statue in front of the Leader Dog kennel.

Me, FLD Gus, and Anne & Co.

FLD Gus meeting cc'd Rosie.

Natalie and "buddha-belly" FLD Gus.

Elaina instructs FLD Gus to look at the camera!

Sofia makes a "Welcome Cookie"--for us to eat, NOT FLD Gus!

Gypsy thinks, "Not again!"

"If I don't look at him, he isn't here."

"No teeth on the nose, Gus!"

CHEW THIS!

A very tired FLD Gus after a very important day.

And here I go again!

New Puppy Checklist

Tomorrow is the big day...so we're getting things ready to bring home our 3rd Future Leader Dog puppy from Leader Dogs for the Blind.  Here's my checklist:

1.  Adjustable pen (Set up in a corner of the kitchen.)
          CHECK

2.  Small crate (I start with a small one, then move into a larger crate later.)

          CHECK

3.  Food and water dishes (Stainless steel with no-tip design.)

          CHECK

4.  Small buckle collar

          CHECK

5.  Nylabone and Kong chew toys

          CHECK

6.  Cushy bed (Picked up a cheap one from CVS, but Gypsy seems to think it's hers, so had to get a 2nd one.  FLD Mike tore up our old ones!)

          CHECK

7.  Purina ProPlan Puppy Chow

          CHECK

8.  Nature's Miracle (Natural enzyme cleaner.)

          CHECK

9.  A good night's sleep. 

         HA!  (Been working on that this week.)

Well, I think that's it for supplies.  

First thing on the agenda:  introduce the new puppy to Gypsy.  Second thing on the agenda:  POTTY-TRAINING!  (Check out STEP ONE and STEP TWO of my "Training Tips" to see what I'll be doing.)

I am also considering revamping the look of this blog--same location, just a new design.  Any suggestions?  Please leave your comments here or email me!

And stay posted for news on our little one!