The Dalmatian Diaries Blog

In some ways, it seems like Widget has been with us more than 2 weeks. Maybe that's just because I'm sleep deprived still.

Today she had her vet visit. She's in great health with the exception of some GI bacteria. Vet suspects it's from all the stuff she's attempting to consume while playing outside. A week's worth of antibiotics will hopefully clear that up.

She slept through the night for the most part last night. Still only 7 hours, but that's a start. She got me up at 4:22am. It's really, really dark and quiet outside then! That's good though because then people can't see me walking around the yard in my pajamas saying "go potty Widget, go potty" for 45 minutes. The things we do for our pets.

Just a few minutes ago Widget took me exploring in our yard. We live on 4 acres - one of which is fully fenced. However, it's not all neat and manicured within the fence. There is a great "rough" area that even I haven't explored much. It's very rocky and fully of Texas-y plantlife. I'm sure there are also some "critters" there - which is why I don't explore it more! Anyway, she clearly had a path in mind so she guided me around the perimeter. She climbed up and down the rocks like a pro. There is a long plank in the rough as well - probably 20 feet long? She runs up and down it like a teeter-totter, bouncing on the ends when she gets to them. Pretty cute. Might have to get the video camera out there for that.

Tomorrow Widget will be 12 weeks old. Chili was potty trained by 12 weeks. Widget isn't quite there yet, but we're getting close. So far, only one accident indoors today and that's because we just didn't make it down the steps in time (we were on our way!!).

Widget weighs 18 lbs now. I think it's all in the long legs she's getting because she's still very svelte!

Only one accident indoors so far today - fingers crossed!

Due to sleep deprivation I missed it, but Brent said she was awful last night. Wanting out constantly, accidents, etc. Some nights are good, some aren't. I'm either going to try a radio or white noise machine in her room tonight. I suspect she wakes up and hears Brent watching tv or something and then gets antsy.

She hopped in the pool multiple times today (so much for the bath I gave her this morning!). Still won't swim, only sits on that top step. I'm looking at dog ladders/ramps for pools for her. She needs to be able to gradually walk in I think (like she would if at a lake). Then she'll love it I think.

I am such a smart pup. Really I am.

Today while Mom was washing dishes I figured out that if I roll my ball under the sofa she has to stop doing those awful dishes and come get it for me. I got really good at knocking that ball under the sofa too - she'd get it out and toss it across the room and I'd use my nose to just roll it right back under there.

I figured that'd get her attention. Something about not chewing on the expensive leather sofa blah blah blah - I wasn't really listening. Anything that starts with "Widget, NO...." I tune out. We played my new game for a good long time. Finally, she gave up on the dishes and just played with ME.

Mission accomplished.

She still hasn't actually swam in the pool, but she likes sitting on the top step. The water is about 4 inches deep at the top step. I can't wait to see when she ventures further into the pool.

Widget is obsessed with the sofa in my office. Partly because she can climb up it to a window. She's still small enough that she can actually balance ON the window sill!

Update Oct 15 2008: Widget has now decided that this is how she tells me she needs to go outside. When she starts climbing up the sofa, we head outside! It's working too, I've lost track of how many accident free days we've had now since she's been so good!

Widget was a big girl last night! When it was bedtime, she went into her room (and even into her crate but we're not shutting the door) and didn't make a peep. Not a single sound. Not a whimper or even a sigh!

Then, this morning at 5:30 she let me know she needed to go out - and she hadn't had an accident!! Our crate and floor were dry! That means she told me she needed to go out before she actually went!

Brent did let Widgie out at 3am however, so the bladder wasn't as full as usual. And she did scream when he put her back in her room, but it wasn't the 1 1/2 hours it was the other night.

We're making progress!!

Now if only she'd sleep a few more hours a night... Momma would be very happy (and once again well rested). She sleeps a very rigid 7 hours a night. Momma needs 10 hours of sleep a night. 7 hours - 10 hours = -3 hours. Momma is sleep deprived. Someone needs to teach Widget some math.

What seems to work:

• Remove water after 8pm (or 2 hrs before bedtime)
• Wear her out mid-day
• Don't let her sleep soundly an hour before bed - don't play hard either, just enough to keep her from getting too much rest
• Ignore her when she cries in her room/crate
• Give kibble treat when she goes into her room and when let out of her room (if not crying!)
• Nightlight in room

Fortunately she's getting better about the puppy nips.

Widget only cried for about 8 minutes last night when we put her to bed. Of course, since she went to bed at 9:30 that meant that I was up at 4:30 this morning with her. I'm hoping that little bladder of hers hurries up and matures! I need more sleep than that!

I'm hoping that the easy bedtime is a sign she's getting used to being away from us and not just from her being so exhausted. Otherwise I may have to assign Brent regular dog exhaustion duty!

Of course, she's sleeping now just fine under my desk.

Brent and Widget had quite an afternoon of outdoor fun. She's pretty good at "fetch" (and it's not the human doing the fetching for a change!) and loves to chase us when we run in the yard so it's not impossible to wear her out.

She went in the pool again, but got a little freaked out when I held her to see if she could swim at all. I don't think she's scared off for good, she loves water too much! She did sit on the top step and enjoy the cool water after her hard play session.

Then later she got to watch more deer from Brent's office. The 3 bucks were back for their daily graze through our landscaping. One of them is an 11-pt buck - just gorgeous. Widget stood with both paws on the window sill looking out - with tail between her legs! She thought they were some big funny looking dogs! Wish I had the camera handy for that. She didn't bark or make a sound - such a good girl!