I love love LOVE puppy training!
I love going in and chatting with the other puppy parents as they ask questions like, "Does Zuzu get distracted easily if there are other dogs around and forget how to sit?" uh...yeah. "Is she always so calm and sweet and well behaved?". Hahahaha....no! "Does she try to chew on everything, even people?" Yeah, again. "Does she come when you call her?" If she wants to, or if there's something in it for her, sure.
Then I love it when everyone else answers the same way!
I love when we get to demonstrate what we've been practicing and Zuzu shows off and performs perfectly for me! (okay, it happened once, but I can still brag a little, can't I?)
I love when we ask Helena, the trainer, a question and she has an answer that is simple, and makes sense, yet makes us feel brilliant for asking it, not like the doggy-parent morons we all really are! And then she tells us we are all doing great and our puppies are so good and we all grin like silly people. If we had tails, they'd be wagging!!
And then Helena will teach us all a new trick. And it works like magic! And we all feel brilliant and proud once again. This week it was Down. Like lay down, but you don't say lay. You have them come, then sit, then you let them sniff the treat as you bring it to the floor, then when they're laying down, you say, "good down," and let them eat the treat. It can be used for getting off stuff too, but with a different tone. "Get Down!" is much more serious. We're not perfect with that one yet, but praise and treats and the understanding of the word down is helping.
We also learned loose leash walking, which means when you're out for a leisurely walk, your dog should be near you, without pulling. We've been working on that one a lot since the training, and I'll work on it a lot more as the week goes on. It would be easier to do if Zuzu didn't want to sniff every blade of grass, twig, leaf, crack in the sidewalk.... do I need to continue? That's what the park us for. I walk you to the park, then I will follow you around the park. She actually tried to stop and sniff an intersection this morning. It was at a four way stop, but still not a good habit to get into.
But, when we go to puppy class next week, my sweet little Zuzu will perform it perfectly for her new friends and audience, and I'll smile as proudly as if my puppy just discovered the cure for cancer!
I love puppy training!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Hiccup Saturday
It's so funny how puppy training moves forward so quickly, then the dreaded hiccup occurs!
Zuzu was getting so much better with the biting before Saturday. She still wanted something to chew on about 90% of her awake time, but she was getting better with understanding that approved chewable items were not my clothes, the furniture, or people parts. Now I'm not saying that she stopped trying daily to chew those things, but she was starting to have an understanding that we didn't like it. And, considering the fact that my living room and bedroom and backyard now have more toys strewn about than the home of any first time parent, we had plenty of handy distractions for her.
Then came Saturday.
Jim decided to take the girls snowboarding, so they were out the door by 3:30 am and Zu and I had the day to ourselves. The morning went really well. We slept, we played, we walked, and we went to the park to play with and sniff the other dogs.
In the afternoon, about the time the girls would normally be getting home from school if it was a weekday, Zuzu woke up with a little demon in her! If there was something she wasn't allowed to chew, she was on it. If I said, 'uh uh', it meant chew harder and faster. If I tried to distract her with a toy or rawhide, she would take the distraction, throw it out of her way, and chew some more on the forbidden item.
Then she decided that I was what she wanted to chew. Ouch! Puppy teeth are so sharp! I yelped like a pup and she would stop, look up at me, and nip again, just not as hard. That would have worked if she didn't have a mouth full of tiny needles!
When I would try to move away, she would bite and hold onto my pant leg. When I pried her teeth off, she would chase me down, wagging her tail and growling, like I was something she was trying to herd. Once when I turned away, which 'always' works...haha...she jumped up and nipped me squarely on the ass! Really, dog?!!
We then went for a short walk, where she still didn't listen, but at least wasn't nipping, then she went in her crate & I took myself out for Chinese, just so I could breath for a bit.
The rest of the evening was better, but not perfect. Daddy and the girls got home about 10pm, and she greeted all of them happily, though trying to chew fingers.
On Sunday she woke up, we were all there, and she had a fantastic day. She even laid on the floor and cuddled with Tressa while Jim and I were out for a bit last night. This morning, when she crawled on my lap, she actually had a chew toy and didn't try to nip me once. It was so sweet!
Dang hiccups!
Zuzu was getting so much better with the biting before Saturday. She still wanted something to chew on about 90% of her awake time, but she was getting better with understanding that approved chewable items were not my clothes, the furniture, or people parts. Now I'm not saying that she stopped trying daily to chew those things, but she was starting to have an understanding that we didn't like it. And, considering the fact that my living room and bedroom and backyard now have more toys strewn about than the home of any first time parent, we had plenty of handy distractions for her.
Then came Saturday.
Jim decided to take the girls snowboarding, so they were out the door by 3:30 am and Zu and I had the day to ourselves. The morning went really well. We slept, we played, we walked, and we went to the park to play with and sniff the other dogs.
In the afternoon, about the time the girls would normally be getting home from school if it was a weekday, Zuzu woke up with a little demon in her! If there was something she wasn't allowed to chew, she was on it. If I said, 'uh uh', it meant chew harder and faster. If I tried to distract her with a toy or rawhide, she would take the distraction, throw it out of her way, and chew some more on the forbidden item.
Then she decided that I was what she wanted to chew. Ouch! Puppy teeth are so sharp! I yelped like a pup and she would stop, look up at me, and nip again, just not as hard. That would have worked if she didn't have a mouth full of tiny needles!
When I would try to move away, she would bite and hold onto my pant leg. When I pried her teeth off, she would chase me down, wagging her tail and growling, like I was something she was trying to herd. Once when I turned away, which 'always' works...haha...she jumped up and nipped me squarely on the ass! Really, dog?!!
We then went for a short walk, where she still didn't listen, but at least wasn't nipping, then she went in her crate & I took myself out for Chinese, just so I could breath for a bit.
The rest of the evening was better, but not perfect. Daddy and the girls got home about 10pm, and she greeted all of them happily, though trying to chew fingers.
On Sunday she woke up, we were all there, and she had a fantastic day. She even laid on the floor and cuddled with Tressa while Jim and I were out for a bit last night. This morning, when she crawled on my lap, she actually had a chew toy and didn't try to nip me once. It was so sweet!
Dang hiccups!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Lap Dog
Zuzu thinks she's a lap dog!
I had a Cavalier for 12 years - a dog whose sole purpose was to sit on the laps of British royalty and keep them warm in their drafty castles - and he NEVER sat in my lap. He didn't really fit, so he always just sat next to me.
Zuzu is already bigger than Snickers and her breed's purpose is to hang out and guard sheep. Outdoors. By herself. But sit down on the floor and she turns into a proper Cavalier. Right into my lap she crawls.
Now, you're probably wondering how she fits. Well, she doesn't! Her lap sitting can be her bottom in my lap with her front hanging off or looking up at me, trying to bite my ear. Or, her front half might be in my lap, with her back half hanging off while she tries to gnaw on my arm. Only once did I get her belly in my lap, with both ends hanging off (too hard for her to chew on me that way).
I am her personal, heated chair/chew toy.
Now if she would just stop the chewing, I'd stay on the floor longer to cuddle!
I had a Cavalier for 12 years - a dog whose sole purpose was to sit on the laps of British royalty and keep them warm in their drafty castles - and he NEVER sat in my lap. He didn't really fit, so he always just sat next to me.
Zuzu is already bigger than Snickers and her breed's purpose is to hang out and guard sheep. Outdoors. By herself. But sit down on the floor and she turns into a proper Cavalier. Right into my lap she crawls.
Now, you're probably wondering how she fits. Well, she doesn't! Her lap sitting can be her bottom in my lap with her front hanging off or looking up at me, trying to bite my ear. Or, her front half might be in my lap, with her back half hanging off while she tries to gnaw on my arm. Only once did I get her belly in my lap, with both ends hanging off (too hard for her to chew on me that way).
I am her personal, heated chair/chew toy.
Now if she would just stop the chewing, I'd stay on the floor longer to cuddle!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Zuzu is now officially a "California Girl"
Zuzu's first day at the beach! It was lots and lots of fun, but she didn't really care for the water.
Cars and Dogs - written 2/22
I thought all dogs liked cars. Cats, I know, hate cars, but dogs like them.
Why is Zuzu petrified of the car, the van, and even the garage? She loves when we go into the garage. She knows her food and treats come out of there. But ask her to go in and she will not. Even if the car is in the driveway or a parking lot, she wants nothing to do with it.
We've tried different things - sitting on someone's lap, sitting across the backseat with someone, even the crate. She seemed the best in the crate, because at least she didn't make herself sick like she has a couple of other times, but she did pee a little in her crate both to and from the beach. Even though she walked and peed both times before the 45 minute trip.
Since when does a dog pee in her crate? I've never seen that before. Hopefully, she'll grow out of it.
In the meantime, we'll keep taking her on trips to places that she likes. Maybe eventually, she'll figure out that the ride is worth it!
Why is Zuzu petrified of the car, the van, and even the garage? She loves when we go into the garage. She knows her food and treats come out of there. But ask her to go in and she will not. Even if the car is in the driveway or a parking lot, she wants nothing to do with it.
We've tried different things - sitting on someone's lap, sitting across the backseat with someone, even the crate. She seemed the best in the crate, because at least she didn't make herself sick like she has a couple of other times, but she did pee a little in her crate both to and from the beach. Even though she walked and peed both times before the 45 minute trip.
Since when does a dog pee in her crate? I've never seen that before. Hopefully, she'll grow out of it.
In the meantime, we'll keep taking her on trips to places that she likes. Maybe eventually, she'll figure out that the ride is worth it!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Moving
I hate moving. It's kind of ironic considering I've done it my whole life. I don't think I minded it so much as a kid. Mom and Dad took care of the hard stuff and I just went along for the ride. The only hard part was saying goodbye to friends, then it was just the excitement of the new.
It's different now. We have to decide where to live - do we rent or buy? Where will the girls go to school? How will Jim get to work? Will I work and where? Where are the best dance classes and lacrosse teams? I get an upset stomach just thinking about it all.
Where does Zuzu fit into this?
She is my happy distraction. When we're playing or walking, by myself or with Jim, and thinking or talking about the move, she will inevitably do something that takes my mind off it and I go straight to her. Whether she's being super cute, or naughty, or just stopping to pee, she pulls my mind away from DC and straight to her. When I'm researching homes and I see one for rent near walking trails or with a big fenced in yard, I smile at how fun it will be to have her there with me.
On top of it all, I know I don't have to look for a job, because my job - for now - is her!
My comfort in all of my moves has been my family. Knowing that no matter what's in store, we'll be facing it together. Now my family is even bigger! She is such a blessing!!
It's different now. We have to decide where to live - do we rent or buy? Where will the girls go to school? How will Jim get to work? Will I work and where? Where are the best dance classes and lacrosse teams? I get an upset stomach just thinking about it all.
Where does Zuzu fit into this?
She is my happy distraction. When we're playing or walking, by myself or with Jim, and thinking or talking about the move, she will inevitably do something that takes my mind off it and I go straight to her. Whether she's being super cute, or naughty, or just stopping to pee, she pulls my mind away from DC and straight to her. When I'm researching homes and I see one for rent near walking trails or with a big fenced in yard, I smile at how fun it will be to have her there with me.
On top of it all, I know I don't have to look for a job, because my job - for now - is her!
My comfort in all of my moves has been my family. Knowing that no matter what's in store, we'll be facing it together. Now my family is even bigger! She is such a blessing!!
Monday, February 21, 2011
So Many New Friends
Zuzu had a nice weekend. The Sunday puppy class had six puppies in it. Everything from a Mastiff to a Pug to a Lab, to tiny little colored cotton ball puffs of dogs. Zuzu was the youngest in the class, but she did fairly well. It was the same class we did on Saturday, so she already knew the drill. That was both good and bad - when trainer Helena came around one dog at a time to work on 'sit', Zuzu went a little nuts and began barking, and sitting, and barking some more when HER treats were given out to other dogs. She had to wait her turn, and she was fifth out of six dogs. She nearly went insane! When Helena finally got to her though, she shined and proved she could sit like a pro. Tressa came with us this time too, so that she could practice the commands as well.
The rest of the weekend was nice and relaxing. There was plenty of sunshine and plenty of walks in the different parks, meeting new dogs. I think I've met more of my Mountain View neighbors in this past week than I've met in the seven months that we've lived here! I feel like I should be carrying business cards for the EMDAA so that people can look up the Estrela on-line themselves. Zuzu stops traffic and people, everywhere she walks! No one can pass us by without stopping to chat and ask what kind of dog she is, and mention that she is the cutest, fluffiest thing they have ever seen!
The rest of the weekend was nice and relaxing. There was plenty of sunshine and plenty of walks in the different parks, meeting new dogs. I think I've met more of my Mountain View neighbors in this past week than I've met in the seven months that we've lived here! I feel like I should be carrying business cards for the EMDAA so that people can look up the Estrela on-line themselves. Zuzu stops traffic and people, everywhere she walks! No one can pass us by without stopping to chat and ask what kind of dog she is, and mention that she is the cutest, fluffiest thing they have ever seen!
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