The Dalmatian Diaries Blog

See the puppy while you can, he won't be a puppy for long!

Both dogs checked out great at the vet's office. Widget weighed 30.5 lbs and Browser was 17.5 lbs.

Browser does a couple of adorable things. I know one he'll grow out of just because he'll GROW, but I kinda hope the other he keeps as a habit.

1) When you carry him if he has a free arm he'll "walk" in the air. It's like he thinks he is walking while you are carrying him. If he's in a hurry (like trying to catch up to Widget) he'll paddle faster and faster. Granted, this is one dog I won't be carrying for long, so this trait most likely won't stick around for long.

2) Yawns. This dog has the loudest, most expressive yawns I think I have ever heard. They are so cute! So far he hasn't been a very vocal dog, except for his yawns. They are very loud and long and drawn out.

I take that back... he is a complainer when we put him in his crate. Not for long usually, but he goes through a few stages - "let me out", "woe is me", "I'm getting sleepy, but not liking it", "almost asleep but feel compelled to let you know I'm not YET asleep". I think at the beginning stage he's actually louder than Widget (who only complains now if she's put away and he's not).

Speaking of Widget... I know I say this constantly, but I can't believe how grown up she is! She's so beautiful and smart and loving. What an incredible dog she is. I hope we can get her over her insecurities.

Well, of course, Browser was awesome in class his first night. We had been working on "sit" already so he got that, and even though he never did focus on me when we did name recognition at home, he did so like a champ in class - for both of us. He also loved every person who he met and even gave kisses. At first he was quite ambivalent about playing with the other dogs. He was busy looking for treats that had dropped on the floor. But, by the second play session he was actually playing with a few of the dogs. He didn't much care for the aggressive bulldog puppy, but he did tackle the adorable husky puppy.

He impressed me with the quickness with which he learned things tonight. At home, he has so many distractions and won't focus on us much - but in class he was really good.

Needless to say, he is now sacked out in bed.

Tomorrow he goes for his second puppy shots. That, too, will wear him out. Nothing like an hour at the vet's office to exhaust a puppy!

I've been trying to get a few spare moments to upload photos for the past 2 days. If I'm not chasing the dotted duo around pulling plants out of their mouths or having to race them outside before an accident occurs, then I'm frantically trying to get a few minutes of work squeezed in.

Even though they wear each other out pretty well I thought today I would make sure they were good and tired. Widget and I went for the long walk around the neighborhood. She got to meet some new people and she did great! She sniffed their hands and everything. She did bark a little but not too bad. She also didn't pull as much on her leash. She's realizing that she doesn't get there any faster that way. Except on the last leg of the walk - then she pulls because Momma is clearly slowing down and that water dish looks SO far away.

After Widget's walk I took Browser out. This was his first walk on the street. We've walked the driveway but haven't left the yard. He actually did quite well. We only went down a few houses and back, but for a little guy that was enough to sack him out. For those of you who don't know, houses out here are pretty spread out so it was a good effort on his part.

Both dogs are napping on my office floor now. Eyes shut tight. Finally.

Last night Widget had doggy school. She was really wound up so she didn't sit still very well. She did, however, show off by learning "drop" after only 2 tries. She is so incredibly smart. Training her has really been quite easy so far. Well, except for the housebreaking thing - but we finally got that under control.

Browser starts school tomorrow. Widget is coming with for some extra socialization. Browser finally figured out "sit" today. I think he's going to be a little tougher to train because he's not as focused on me as Widget is. For that reason, we've been working/playing with the dogs separately as much as possible. It's really helping things. Browser needs more time away from Widget so he doesn't pine after her (he whimpered the whole time she was away at class last night - perfect example). And Widget responds better to Browser when she's not constantly around him. She needs to feel she has her own space and then when she does hang out with Browser she plays nicer.