Puppy Pics!

And for today, I give you lots of puppy goodness!



































That's all for now - I have to see what she's gotten herself into!

**edited to add this for Karen:**

Thanks, Karen!

Ok, as for the difficulty:

It's really not that bad as long as you know what you're walking into. Puppies require a lot of work and a lot of love. BUT it's totally worth it. You have a companion who is loyal and loving - and they are that way almost right from the start.

Maggie's very eager to please us and responds well to praise. When necessary, she responds quickly to a sharp, loud, and firm "NO!"

She has peed in the house a few times, yes, and pooed inside twice, but she's done these things OUTside far more. After only two days of working on housetraining, she's already learned that if she goes by the door, she'll be let out to go potty.

Granted, if I don't see her there right away, she'll go ahead and go inside... little puppies can only hold it so long.

The easiest ways to housebreak are:

- As soon as the puppy gets up from a nap, IMMEDIATELY take them outside to go potty (and when they're this young, it's even better just to pick them up and carry them outside, that way they don't get distracted by smells and eliminate inside.)

- About 10 minutes after they eat, they will need to go outside to poo. After all, what goes in, must come out.

- They will most likely need to go potty after play time or if they've just had something to drink. Both of these activities send messages to their bladders.

The sleeping part has actually gotten better as the nights have gone by.

We're using the Crate Traning method with Maggie. This helps in many ways. She's got an area that's all hers where she can go to feel safe and it also helps keep her out of things when we're not around. Also, it's good for house training because dogs (blessed creatures that they are) do not believe in peeing or pooing where they sleep. (Unless you leave them there too long, then they just can't help it.)

The first night we had her, she cried and whined (and even barked) for about 5 minutes after being put in her crate for the night. My husband (who's never had a puppy before) didn't get this. I explained that dogs are pack animals and that Maggie came from a litter of 10. She and her brothers and sisters all slept in one big pile all over one another. So that first night with us here was the first time she'd ever slept alone. She didn't like the sensation and the whining was a protest. I told him she'd stop and eventually go to sleep. She did.

The second night, she only whined for a couple of minutes, and it was really more of a half-hearted effort.

Last night, she barely let out a small cry, then went to sleep.

We bought her all kinds of chew toys to play with and each time she tries to mouth and chew on something she's not supposed to have, we tell her a firm "NO!" and then give her one of her chew toys. When she starts to chew on that, we praise her. So far, she hasn't eaten anything she's not supposed to. But I also keep a keen eye on her when she's awake because I don't want my furniture destroyed by teeth.

She is learning what "No Bite!" means. Each time she tries to mouth on our fingers, or any other part of us, we'll use this command. I told my sons (and husband) it has to be the same command every time or she'll get confused. Consistency is very important with puppies.

She loves to lay near me and chew on her toys and when she's tired, she'll plop herself down on my lap, or as close as possible, and pass out.

She eats three times a day, just like we do, and each time, I sit next to her and pet her while she eats. I'm doing this because I don't want her to be one of those dogs who is so territorial about their food that they snarl if anyone comes near them while eating. I want her to be well adjusted enough to where I don't have to be afraid if my kids walk past her while she's eating.

She seems to prefer this and actually will stop eating and come find me if I walk away from her after I've put the food in her bowl.

It's a very rewarding experience raising a puppy. Sure it's got its hard parts, but it's worth it.

I hope this helps!