Click a picture to enlarge it. Here are two sleepyheads on the way home from AZ.
Back at home: Who is resting on the doggie bed?
Rocky in his new carrier:
I haven't had a chance to get my computer battery replaced and am still having all kinds of trouble with it. There are other photos but I can't seem to move them to the blog, so maybe tomorrow I'll post some more.
We made a trip to Petco yesterday and I came home with a very large wire crate. Rocky goes right into it but cries if I shut the door; I wonder if he'll ever sleep in it at night. We also used the dogtag machine and printed out a tag for his collar. The girls were anxious to get the tag!
I would think he would love walking outdoors on a leash but he doesn't. Maybe the pavement is too warm for his little baby paws. Right now about the only thing I can do is take him out on the shaded part of the driveway and he does his business as quickly as I set him down. I may have mentioned that the 2nd time I tried to take him to the dog park across the street, a woman who was there with her dog told me I couldn't bring him in until he is 4 months old. I was a bit irritated with her, but after talking to a neighbor I know and trust, he said it's a good idea to keep a puppy away from all the diseases he could catch from the ground in there, and that some things can remain in the ground for quite a long time. Rocky is up to date on his shots, but I had a neighbor back in Cincinnati whose pup caught parvovirus and died within a day or so. I won't take a chance once I thought about the possible consequences.
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Give him time. He'll like it outdoors and walking on a leash and all that good stuff. We stay away from dog parks with our two. Never know what is there. But that's just us. And puppies need to be protected for a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteI've hated that dog park since the day they put it in. It is a small "V" shaped lot where 3 streets come together and it's really too small for all the dogs that are brought there every day. The dogs bark at everything that drives by and everyone who walks by. Their owners are so busy laughing and talking they completely ignore the dogs, so living just across a 2-lane street isn't easy. But I thought I might try it out and get some use out of it - after being there and seeing what the dogs and people have done to the grass and that it's just a lot of dust and dirt except where the park paved an area for the owners to sit, I guess I'm better off not taking my "baby" there.
ReplyDeleteWe have two of those wire cages or pens for our dogs. We leave the doors wide open and the dogs sleep in them. They also come in handy when traveling.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get him to sleep in one, but so far he wants me to be around.
Deleteget an old shirt of yours that have been worn (don't wash it) and put it in the cage with him. he'll smell your scent and think your there.
ReplyDeleteI'll try it, but he's a pretty smart doggie!
DeleteDON'T!!! -- he's a Lab puppy so he'll chew the shirt and could choke or get an intestinal blockage from the bits of cloth.
DeleteGreat looking bed and cage. I think the advice about the dog park is good. Sounds like he is doing very well for such an abrupt change in environment.
ReplyDeleteI think he is too. We are both so tired today, and I'll be glad when it's bedtime.
DeleteOur chocolate lab puppy cried too when we brought her home. Her crate was pretty large too and the vet advised that dogs like caves and to put a blanket over the top and sides of the crate and leave the front, where the door is, clear. It did help. Of course she kept us awake for a few nights but the above advice about putting a t-shirt (or something you have worn) in the crate with him is helpful too. He's beautiful.
DeleteThanks, I think he is beautiful also. His eyes are so innocent and loving. I had four babies that slept with me until they were old enough to not mind having their own rooms. Even at that, during the night my husband and I had all 4 of them creep into bed with us, and we only had a double bed! So I'm a pushover for a crying baby or a crying puppy!
DeleteHi - I read your blog all the time without commenting, but since I'm a bit of an expert on dogs, dog health issues, and dog training -- I find I NEED to comment. First - your new puppy is so cute and obviously so loving. Hope you can survive puppyhood with him and have many years together. My Dad used to say it takes 2 years before you can stand living with a dog --lol. OK now seriously -- the new crate is too big for him right now. If you want to be successful in housetraining him, you need to make is smaller by somehow blocking off all the space that is just beyond what he needs to lie down in. Dogs will not pee or poop where they sleep (and if they start out of dire need, they will never learn not to!) So he has to be in a small space, then taken outside immediately when he wakes. Immediately after eating, immediately after playing or running around. Midwest crates usually have an insert in them to block off part of the crate, but you can use anything sturdy including a piece of wood, or plastic lattice (which he hopefully won't chew on!). He will cry for 1 night, maybe 2. You can try covering the crate with a sheet to make a "den" because dogs naturally are comfortable in dens. It is NOT cruel to crate a dog unless he's in the all day long. Crates are like playpens for babies - keeps them out of trouble unless you are right there watching them. If he squats and pees in front of you, do the "crazy hollering momma dance with lots of NO" and then take him right outside. Your friend was 100% right about avoiding the dog park until he has received all his final vaccines and is not stressed about his new surroundings. You're a reader, so get a good basic dog training book (Brian Kilmeade has several out) to help as a refresher since it's been years since you've trained a puppy. Also, get him to a puppy training class somewhere -- maybe have one of your granddaughters go with you too so they can help with the training. Puppy classes are great. I'm not a fan of the PetSmart ones but better than nothing! Finally, new vaccine protocols are being followed by most good vets these days -- check out Dr. Jean Dodd's vaccine protocols on the internet. She's developed the concept: only one set of shots at a time, then wait 3 weeks before any other shot: distemper/parvo, then 3 weeks, then Rabies. But no rabies until 6 months if you can get your vet to wait that long. Also, big dogs should not be neutered until they are at least 1 year old -- they need those hormones for proper growth and bone development (again, new thought since you and I were kids and had dogs). Of course, if you want him to sleep on the bed with you....well....hopefully he won't pee!!! But learning to be in a crate is an important thing for any dog, even a much loved pet, to know. Enjoy the new boy in your life. Lynn - Kingston NY
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your informative comment. I will try to get the book you recommend as soon as possible. I realize how much I forgot about training a puppy, probably 23-25 years. The dog I got after that was 1-1.2 to 2 yrs old and was much easier to train quickly.
DeleteI thought I was doing so well but I think I just was good at anticipating and recognizing the signs when he needed to go out. I didn't catch him in time on several occasions today. I will cut down on his space tomorrow - I think the wire crate I bought is adjustable. Thanks again, and I will be re-reading your comment over again several times.
As far as dog parks go, there are a lot of nosy bossy people at them but they almost always have all the dogs' interests at heart. Four months before taking a pup to the dog park is pretty much the standard these days.
ReplyDeleteI usually go to Glenbrook dog park. there's a pretty nice group of dogs and owners in the mornings. (Haven't been mid-day or afternoon) And it's a great way to socialize Rocky once he's old enough. Puppy classes are great also but a bit spendy.
As far as crate/sleeping/walking - everything is new to Rocky. It will be awhile before he settles in and even then - he's a baby - so things will change!
Looking forward to seeing him grow!
Thanks for your comments, and I realize I need to have patience. Every day isn't going to be like the last! I think we were both tired out today after the drive from AZ, and from all the excitement of having my daughter's family with us yesterday helping to pick out the doggie items I need, etc. Today was a chill out day but I hope we can get in the swing of things soon.
DeleteHe really is so cute and you seem to be doing just fine since you have had dogs before. But to cover his crate is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteUsing a crate is a new experience for me as I never had one before. He goes in and out of it during the day, but if I close the door he cries and I'm a sucker for a crying baby or a crying puppy!
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