Puppy Classes!

Wash and I started Puppy Classes last week at Petsmart. Petsmart was the cheapest place around for the amount of lessons, and realistically, I just want him socialized with other dogs and puppies. All the training tips are a bonus for me.

We have a small class, only 3 pups, and Wash is by far the biggest and also the oldest by a few weeks.

His classmates are Sparticus; the 3.5 month old Border Terrier (like Baxter from Anchorman) and Kobe (after Kobe Bryant, the basketball player) the 10 week old Airedale Terrier.

Last week we focused on our "good boy" voices. And our "hey" cut that out tones. Start calm, and stay clam, even when your dog is good- be calm and happy. It'll keep the dog from getting too over excited.

We also worked on the "Sit" command, and the "Release" to teach our dogs when we want them to stop performing a task.

We didn't run the dogs around too much, but Wash certainly was exhausted when we got home.

This week my man is coming with us to puppy class, and if I'm not mistaken we're showing off our "sits" and "releases" and then learning how to walk properly without pulling. Should be another exhausting day for Washburn.

Yesterday Wash was introduced to several dogs at a "pseudo" dog park. It's a fenced off place that parents bring their dogs right before they pick up their kids from school. Washburn met several dogs- and was a very well behaved little man!

He met; -Gromit the Eskimo dog/ Corgi cross
-Tag the Shetland Sheepdog
-Abby the Chocolate Lab
-Dala- the German Shepperd/ Collie cross
and (the other dogs I didn't catch their names) 1 Labrador Retriever, 1 Golden Retriever, 1 Water dog, 1 Poodle cross and a terrier of some kind.


He ran like the wind, and was very polite when he was introduced to the other dogs. It was amazing to see. (Also, he slept very well that afternoon.)

-Brandolyn

Teething

So my pup is almost 4 months old, and starting to lose his baby teeth.

He's very fussy with his toys and it took me a while to realize that some of his favourite toys are probably very painful for him, if his gums are sore: Tug of war rope or his chew bone.

He's still obsessed with ice cubes, which is a cheap toy option, but increases how frequently he needs to go out for pee breaks.

I gave in, and gave him a new toy; a stuffed Nemo toy. (sorry LN, but we knew he'd get him eventually) Nemo is small and soft, well made so he won't be destroyed easily- the only catch is he's not a dog toy, so supervision is (in my opinion) mandatory. He has beans, AND stuffing, and I don't want Wash to ingest either. So far, he's just happy nomming away, he's not ripping the poor thing apart.

Posing for the camera

Wash likes Sushi

Washburn the Anemone

Also, look at this pretty kitty I got to play with at work! (I mean, totally ignored while I worked.... definitely no cuddles were had.)

Brightest Green Eyes. M H-S you would have loved her! She's a snuggle buddy!

-Brandolyn

Happy Thursday

**Edit** I thought this was published last week, but it wasn't so here you go! The information is old, but still valid. When I post the next update, please remember it wasn't an overnight change, it was transitional over the course of a week. 

Happy Thursday from my Doodlepup!

His little blue "Washburn" tag is courtesy of my cousin and aunt!

This was taken during the brief time he was relaxed today. He has had his little puppy terror moments lately, testing boundaries and rules. Inside the house he goes rug to rug biting them to see if I'll let him chew on one. "How about this one?" "How about this one now?"
Outside he does the same thing. Running around the yard going shrub to shrub to see if he's allowed to chew on one.

As repetitive and annoying these exercises are I'm actually seeing improvement. Outside today he was running shrub to shrub chomping on low branches, but after a minute of "No" (then he'd go on to the next bush) "No" he started going up to the shrubs and just smelling them to see if that was okay. I didn't say anything until he'd chomp a branch, then he'd run to the next plant and smell it.

It was amazing to see. I'm so glad I'm patient enough to deal with this stage of the training process. I can definitely understand that some owners have a hard time sticking through this. You have to have a lot of time, and a lot of patience. Puppies learn quickly, but they needs clear boundaries and rules to follow. Keep enforcing them, don't give in just because you are exhausted. You can do it!

-Brandolyn

Helpful hint:

Wash is at a very heavy chewing stage. I think he's getting ready for his adult teeth to come in, but that means his puppy teeth are sharp, strong and looking for things to gnaw. His gums are also sore.

To help him, and to save my furniture and my hands, I bought him a Nylabone, which he can chew on and helps digestion. It is a toy, not a treat. (Treats are edible, and create more poop, toys are chewable. The Nylabone has tiny little pieces that come off and can be ingested but doesn't amount to any added weight or room in his stomach)

And I've also go the cheapest toy ever (and Wash's personal favourite) ice cubes! They keep him cool, entertained, they're crunchy, and they numb and soothe his gums, and they're FREE! Win, win, win.

Down town adventure

Today I took Wash down town to experience some new sights and smells.

We rode the bus.

We rode the subway.

Hung out at the Eaton Centre. 

And walked, A LOT. 

We spent hours down town meeting new dogs and new people. Wash certainly loved all the attention. A few children learnt how to approach and pet a dog, and one girl went as far as to say "He is the cutest dog I've ever seen!" Which made me a very proud owner. 

As you can tell from the pictures Wash was very relaxed. Even on the crowded subway he was comfortably lying down. He never hid between my legs or cowered in a corner. He was alert, and calm- although the slippery floors of the subway stops made him a little nervous. 

We kept getting told how lovely he is and how well behaved he is. We event visited a costuming workshop and he sat quietly while I picked out garments. One couple felt compelled to approach us and comment on how in sync our gait is (good boy Washburn!). They also told us it was funny to watch all the faces of the other pedestrians as they ooo-ed and aww-ed as they passed him. 

He was a lovely boy today. Perfectly well behaved and now he's passed out from our exploration of the city!

-Brandolyn

Helpful Hints:

-If you live down town, or plan to visit with your pup, please find out where there is a nearby park for your pup to relieve himself. Wash and I searched forever and couldn't find anywhere in that concrete jungle of a city that we would call a park. (Wash was not impressed)

-Pets are allowed on most public transit, but (as is the case with the TTC), there are some restrictions. Look into them. I believe dogs are not allowed between the hours of 5pm & 7pm, but I only found out after I got home. I still need to do my research, but apparently Wash is too cute to be refused, and was so well behaved that nobody minded. 

Snow Day

Wash and I have been enjoying the snow! Whether it's above freezing, or below we love going for our walks. I am less enthused about the 8AM below freezing walks, but with my toque, mittens and my plaid flannel pyjamas I manage to enjoy them too.

I was about to step into my parents' hot tub when Wash decided he needed to  run, NOW!

My boyfriend and I took Wash for a walk out to a park last week and gave the pup a nice run. We had an amazing time. Smiling faces everywhere. We played tag, Wash chased snowballs and he found the biggest stick I've ever seen him carry. I won't be surprised if he uproots a tree one day and drags it home.

Helpful hint: Walks in the winter are fun, and you would think that with all the white snow your pup will come home clean, but he won't. With all the salt on driveways and sand covering the roads Wash comes home covered in dirt. Keep a towel close to the front door to wipe off your pup after walks. Make sure to take care with the pads of his feet. Make sure there isn't snow or salt matted in his pads. 

-Brandolyn

Rainy morning

Wash and I went for a walk this morning and instead of the snow we've had falling on our heads for the last few weeks we were caught out in the rain. We continued our planned walk, but returned home thoroughly soaked.

Thank heavens Wash knows to go straight into the shower to have his muddy feet washed after a walk :) Then today he got a nice towel dry, where he got to chomp on a towel as I give him a massage.

Spoiled puppy (but at least my house stays clean).

-Brandolyn

Growing up so fast

When I first picked up Wash to bring him home, his breeder gave me a care package that had a handmade puppy coat (made by the Breeder's mother) in it, along with a toy, a blanket, treats, a leash, collar and a whole bag of puppy food.
The coat was too big for him at first, and is still a little on the long side, but he's nearly grown into it. Of course he hates it, and really doesn't need a jacket, but I figured I had better get a picture before he outgrows it so I can send it to the breeder to show her mom.

This is the best picture I could get. He refused to stand up in it. This jacket is just for show. Wash is perfectly comfortable out in the snow without it. He's actually been over heating inside the house, so I can only imagine the trouble I am going to have with him in the summer. I may need to shave him down real short if he over heats too much. Oh well, worries for later.

-Brandolyn