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My husband and I are new puppy owners- this is our first dog together, and we're working through what it means to be puppy parents!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Kirby is 12 weeks old!

Kirby is 12 weeks old as of yesterday! I felt like making him a present.



Doggie Doorbell!


Okay, so the present is for me too. Kirby goes to the back door when he needs to go out, but he doesn't bark. He'll quietly put his paw on the door. We usually notice that he wants out, but occasionally I'll be doing dishes, or switching laundry, or feeding the cat, or... you know, doing something besides watching the dog. (I know, it's a cardinal sin when housetraining... :P) Kirby knows the "touch" command, and we're working on generalizing it to the doorbell. He has started ringing it, but his touch is REALLY gentle, and so the ring is pretty quiet. I don't think he quite understands that when the bell rings the door opens, but we'll get there. If you have any tips, let me know!


Kirby has also decided that we don't know what the good toys are. Some of his favorite toys are plastic water bottles, milk cartons, and plastic plant pots. Not the nice pots on the deck, but the thin plastic ones that we bought starter plants in.

Take it from me, I dare you!

You can't see me!

We also made a dog owner mistake. We lost a ball under the deck, and Stan decided that he would sweep it out with the broom. Well, next thing you know, the broom was the best thing ever. It was funny, and cute, and... well... we didn't really stop him from going after the broom. In fact, we encouraged it.

I know we shouldn't be making tools into toys... but seriously, Kirby was SO excited, and it brings me to something else. We have really been struggling with finding ways to exercise Kirby since we can't take him on walks yet. He will fetch a ball, or his chicken, and he'll chase us, but only for a little while. Then he sees a slug, or a snail, or a weed, or his feet, or... nothing.... and the game is over, but he is still full of energy. Stan and I were able to keep him playing for a good 25 minutes with the broom, and he was all tuckered out afterward. Also, we don't really use a broom inside- we're swiffer fans, so it's not doing any major damage to our lifestyle.... I know, excuses, excuses.

Moving on... Because our puppy class is so small, we've decided to attend an ongoing puppy class- puppies are at many different skill levels, and ages. You pay by the visit, not for a "session." I'm excited! The main focus of the class is socialization, so I'm really hoping that we get some puppy playtime. This is another class that requires immunization records, so I feel good about taking him. It's also an indoor class, so it's sanitary. I hope it goes well! :)

5 comments:

  1. My dogs LOVE plastic water bottles! They are super loud, but it makes me laugh so I let it go.

    I've had a lot of success with the jolly ball teaser ball - Simon goes crazy for it and will play with it on his own outside. He still wants us to throw it, but he will chase the ball on the inside for quite some time on his own as well. Just an idea if Kirby likes balls! Also, the interactive toys like canine genius toys are really great for keeping him busy.
    It's the eternal challenge of the Aussie owner! All the training really will help with that as well - Simon loves it when we practice at home and get to go out and work. That always gives us a few minutes of peace!

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  2. Happy 12 weeks Kirby!!!
    I hope the other puppy class will be better for Kirby's socialization!
    Eva goes crazy for brooms too but as much as we try to discourage the behaviour, it doesnt seem to work. Maybe we should just let her play with it! LOL .
    Kirby sure knows what REAL TOYS are!

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  3. Happy 12 weeks, Kirby!! Lots of what Kirby is into sounds very familiar. When Bandit was Kirby's age he loved plastic water bottles. He also loved other things that weren't necessarily considered real toys. Your change in puppy class sounds like a good change. I really think the socalization is just as important as the obedience. I tried to socialize Bandit as much as possible when he was young, and he gets along with everybody now. He's quite friendly at the dog park and seems to know who's up for some fun and who wants to be left alone. It's kind of funny how many dogs over the age of eight want nothing to do with other dogs or playing of any kind.

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  4. Glad you found a class better suited for you and Kirby! HOpe it goes better for you :) Suka loves to chew on plastic bottles and things as well. I LOVED the idea of teaching Kirby to ring a bell when he needs to go out (i've heard of it before but never actually have seen it put to practice) I would LOVE to teach Suka that, but he still doesn't go to the door to tell me he needs to go out- I have to watch him like a hawk when he is in the house and when he starts sniffing (which is all the time) I take him outside over and over again so that he won't pee/poo on the floor. A bell would be so much easier but a puppy that goes to the door when he wants out would be too ;)

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  5. Yay! Happy 12 weeks Kirby! Glad you've got the bells too! It's helped so much around here. I just have a leather string with several big jingle bells tied down it. When he hits it, they are super loud. It was so easy to teach. Seriously, within 2 days, he was ringing it every time he needed to go out. We haven't had any accidents in the house all week so far!

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