Puppy Update

The past ten days with Cowboy have been days of laughter, growling (on my part, not his), frustration, impatience, and pure joy. I have never had a dog with so much drive - he is TRULY a herding dog! Poor Kizzy gets the brunt of his sneak attacks (because I won’t put up with being jumped on and bitten), but she is definitely teaching him some manners and he has a bit more respect for her since she rolled him a few days ago. At times he is an independent little cuss, but I can relate because, well... so am I.

Of course everything has to go into the mouth, get chewed on and, if allowed. will be destroyed. Several toys in his x-pen are well utilized. 

He is incredibly smart and so willing to learn. At nine weeks he will sit and down on hand signals and is learning stay – one baby step at a time. When I call him he comes running and sits right in front of me. I did not teach him that, he did it all by himself – good boy! He knows to go outside to potty but doesn’t yet have the control so he gets carried outside but runs inside by himself and has been able to get up the back steps all by himself by his third day here. He is not allowed to go down the steps however because he wants to jump over them instead (about a two foot drop – not that far unless you’re a tiny pup). Baby gate now block the steps so he can only use them under supervision.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a puppy, and I have to try and recall the many games I played with Kizzy to teach her (and myself), how to deal with so many behaviors. Remember to throw in some obedience “games” with the play, and ENJOY the puppy time - I know it won't last long! And even though Cowboy really tries my patience at times I remind myself that he IS still a puppy, and he really is doing much better. It's a learning experience for both of us!