Life sure isn't dull around here. Up to now I've always enjoyed putting my feet up and nursing a bottle of beer in afternoon, and yesterday was no exception. I had to go to the bathroom and didn't think twice about it, but when I returned I found Rocky had knocked the bottle over and it was on the floor spilling most of the beer. He was a good dog though - tried to lap it up so I wouldn't have to! I was so upset but I kept my mouth shut and cleaned it up. When I finished I looked over where he had gone to lie down - fast asleep!
A puppy will ALWAYS find something to chew, often something dangerous like an electric cord. I had a box I was going to break down and take out to the recycling bin, but he is enjoying breaking it down for me. I have bits of cardboard all over the kitchen which I'm constantly sweeping up, but he is getting lots of mileage out of this "toy". It is a low, flat box, and it's so cute when he sometimes sits inside it to chew the edges!
I have laundry to do so I'd better get started. I will leave Rocky in the crate when I have to take the baskets across the street to the laundry building to dry, and I think I will try to find some soft music on the radio and place it next to the crate. Soft music is hard to find these days - maybe Rocky would enjoy Ozzie Osbourne, or the Grateful Dead!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
The joys of raising a puppy. Maybe you should have adopted an older dog??
ReplyDeleteIt's tempting to think about it, but when it comes down to it I wouldn't want to miss this stage of puppy-raising for the world! He's just like my kids were when they were inquisitive toddlers.
DeleteChewing age does not last long (hopefully) and then you poor Dear will have to take your own boxes apart again 🤪 too bad about your beer though, that is actually a major crime!
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful about every phase since he is nearly out of the biting stage already. He'll grow up to be a good dog, but I would really like to get him into a puppy class soon to help his manners!)
DeleteSound asleep, eh? Perhaps a beer-induced slumber? -lol. The cardboard and paper eating can get him into a world of hurt (to Rocky and your check book) if he consumes too much -- could cause intestinal blockage, so don't let him chew too much. Besides, teaches him it's OK to eat stuff that's not "his." Love that you're using a crate to keep him out of trouble while you're out of house. For the barking - there's 1 method that some trainers use: take an empty soda or beer can and put some pebbles/small stones in it, enough stones so it rattles and makes noise, and tape it securely shut. When he barks, tell him (in a loud stern voice) "Quiet!" or "No! Quiet!" If he continues barking, throw the can right at him (try not to hit him with it -lol) and say "No! Quiet!" again. When he stops barking, tell him "Good boy, Rocky" in a cheerful voice. Of course, you'll need to keep getting up to get the pebble can (or make several). This might help. He's smart, so you have to figure out how to stop him from doing things you don't like right away, or he'll think it's OK to do these things. He needs to learn his boundries. Also keep commands simple - 1 word mostly. Such as "down" not "lie down". And "sit down" is confusing to dogs because it's really 2 commands he will need to know: "sit" and "down". Barking is such an awful problem and very hard to stop -- I am so thankful that my 2 current dogs are not really barkers... Have you asked your vet about finding a trainer? Finally, I was wondering if you can take him to the dog park area when no one is there? You will survive this! And you'll have a great dog for sure.
ReplyDeleteTo address your last question first, I'm not taking him to the dog park because he hasn't had his last parvovirus shot. He will get it at 15 wks, which is one more week to go. Parvo is deadly and can live in the soil for years. The people at the Pet Club where I buy a lot of supplies don't think I should even let him walk on the floor because of diseases possibly carried in by other pets.
DeleteI don't think he has eaten much, if any, of the cardboard. I'm constantly picking up bits of cardboard and there doesn't seem to be much of it chewed off, but to be careful I've taken the big box up and will break it down for the recycling bin. Also, I'm trying to keep the commands few and simple but he needs constant reminding. He's a growing boy and I see sall improvements every day, although I also see some backsliding!
Yup - understood -- forgot about the parvo shots! If you want me to stop posting suggestions, please tell me. Don't want to annoy you. I have years of experience with dogs and training dogs and also dog medical issues, and probably am over-eager to share in an attempt to make your life with your handsome new boy easier. Lynn in Kingston NY
DeleteLynn, I am always open to suggestions, and appreciate yours. I have had several dogs throiughout my life, but it's been a while and I didn't realize how the aging process works against me raising a baby-toddler-young smart-aleck, etc. Don't ever hesitate to suggest anything to me, and if it is possible I'll try it.
DeleteNot gone forever, just for a few more months. Have you gotten him a Kong treat toy to play with? I've heard those things are really tough and can stand up to sharp puppy teeth.
ReplyDeleteYes, I bought the small Kong right away, but he seems to be able to get anything out of it very quickly. I need to get him some new toys soon as he is getting bored with the same thing. Wasn't there an old comedy route that went something like this: "TOYS? WE DIDN'T HAVE TOYS WHEN I WAS A KID! We had to make our own toys and now they have ready-made toys for dogs???"
DeleteI just did an experiment . . . I opened Google and entered
ReplyDeleteyoutube elevator music
and got multiple possibilities to play up to two hours of elevator music through the computer. This does not impede other uses of it. I'm listening to one of them now, and it is quite nice.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
I wonder if Rocky would like elevator music. I didn't think to google it, and sometimes I miss the even-ness and in the background quality of it. I'll try it tomorrow, and thanks.
Deleteput some peanut butter in his Kong toy. Maybe a half-tablespoon. His "licker" will be tired after that. Also, empty a plastic disposable water bottle. take the lid off and give it to him to gnash with his teeth. As long as he doesn't separate the top screw-top from the rest of the bottle, he'll be fine and love it. Ahhh-peace for a little bit of time.
ReplyDeleteOops. Had my antecedents mixed up. I meant...take the lid off, dispose of the lid and give Rockey the bottle.
ReplyDeleteI figured that's what you meant, haha. He would probably swallow the lid. I don't usually buy any drinks in plastic bottles, but will pick up a bottle of water the next time I'm out.
DeleteAre you having camera problems? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would enjoy seeing a few photos of Rocky!
ReplyDeleteI would like to see some Rocky photos too, please
DeleteCoincidentally, Jeannie was here this evening after we went to Costco, and she took some photos of him and me. I'll post them in tomorrow's post.
DeletePaquito (son of stray momma cat) runs into the kitchen whenever I open the door to go to the backyard. He is so fast and he does this to me all day long. Today he really got on my nerves because he almost tripped me over...I yelled at him, but it did not phase him. Then you came to mind and I was glad I could just take him outside and forget about him, clearly you can not do this with Rocky, so I felt fortunate.
ReplyDeleteNow if he had knocked down my beer and lapped it up...he would be in deep doodoo. I know that this is of no help to you but I have nothing to offer.
Rocky is fast and often nearly trips me, but a cat would be much faster and I wouldn't feel safe with one underfoot. You are lucky you can just take him outdoors - I sure wish I had a decent fenced-in yard with grass!
DeleteI think I stated it wrong...Blanca and her kittens (who are not kittens anymore)...are outside cats. Paquito wants to be inside and parks himself by the kitchen door and takes any opportunity to run inside the house. We do not have grass, we have weeds but they have three lots to run around in as well as several trees for climbing.
Delete