Sally!

I just got this cute picture of Sally (Daffy) who lives in Bakersfield with Heather and her family. Heather says she is doing very well. Still some issues with the submissive peeing when she gets really excited, but hopefully she will outgrow that. It is a very common problem for girls (and some boys) and they usually outgrow it, but it is a pain until then. Ruby just started doing it occasionally. And Sally has also had a slight rash on her belly, the vet gave her some antibiotics that worked, but then when she was done with the pills, it came back. So Heather tried just putting some hydrocortisone on it and she said that seemed to work and clear it up. She also said she is using the "How to Raise The Perfect Dog" book by Ceasar Milan and it is really helping. Even Aly, who is only 5 years old, is able to walk Sally without her pulling on the leash. That is awesome. She also knows sit, stay, shake, comes when she is called and is learning to "leave it". Good job Rooke family! You are inspiring me to do some more work with Ruby! I haven't even started on shake yet! And just another note - if anybody has to travel and has a pup that gets car sick, dramamine works. Of course reduce the dosage accordingly, but it has certainly helped us. Thanks for the picture Heather!

Playdate with Sherman

Sherman came over to play with Sutter and Ruby today. Sutter LOVED seeing him, Ruby wasn't so sure about it. At first she was a little afraid of him. He came bounding in ready to play and she backed into a corner, with him coming right after her and she was scared! But I sent him outside to play with his mom and Ruby watched them for a while and then joined them. Nancy thought a playdate would be good for Sherman and maybe she would have one night of relief from his constant chewing on her if he was really tired! He also seemed to be getting a little full of himself and she thought a little lesson in manners from his mom might be a good idea. Sherman was here from about 1pm until about 6pm and Sutter spent the whole first hour teaching him who was boss (again). She was relentless and it got kind of loud at times, but I think it was really good for Sherman. By the end of the afternoon he was back to a sweet little boy instead of being so cocky and full of testasterone. And once Sutter was done teaching him who was in charge, Ruby took a crack at him. I was really surprised at her reaction, first she was unsure and a little fearful and then she got really jealous. After Sutter had spent some time with Sherman, I was outside giving him some attention and Ruby just wasn't okay with me loving another dog. She got mad and went after him. You would think a big tough guy like Sherman wouldn't take that from a little girl who was afraid of him just an hour before, but he backed off and acted like a submissive pup and rolled over on his back for her (I think the hour spent with Sutter taught him that was the correct move). So then Sutter and I spent time correcting Ruby when she went after Sherman until she grudgingly accepted his presence and let us both shower him with affection. So this socializing little playdate was wonderful for both of them. By the end of the afternoon, she seemed to get over her jealousy, she had to share her mom and me - what a tough lesson to learn - and they were playing nicely and having fun. I think a couple of more playdates is definitely in order for both of them. I hope all of you are able to find other dogs for your pups to play with. This is the best time for them to learn how to get along with other dogs and what is expected of them during playtime. AND it has the added bonus of wearing them out so you can cuddle and snuggle with them without getting chewed on!

This is Ruby mid-afternoon wondering when that fluffy boy was finally going to leave

Good times, nothing like a little tug of war with mom!

Ruby hiding under the kitchen table, she wanted no part of that. Especially after she got in trouble for being mean to that boy getting all of HER mom's attention.

I think this was the one time Sherman took a little break. He was tireless, like an energizer bunny. He might have taken a nap, but I think everytime he started to settle down, something distracted him (a kid, a toy, Sutter, anything) and he didn't want to waste time sleeping when there was something more exciting to do. Sleeping is for when he is home alone, not when there is somebody around to play with!

Here they are playing nicely....

Here he looks like the demon pup! It really wasn't that bad, it was actually pretty funny.

Once Sutter had him where he knew she was the one in charge, she let him climb all over her, chew on her, anything he wanted. He got a little carried away a couple of times and she had to remind him how to play nicely, but he did really well overall.

Look at the teeth from those crazy dogs!

Sherman certainly didn't hold a grudge against Ruby. He was trying to kiss up to her and begging her to play with him.

And she did. They had a great time (when he wasn't trying to mount her - male hormones!)

What a sweet boy. We were so happy to see him and can't wait to have him over again. Nancy is going on vacation in a few weeks and we are hoping to help out with puppy sitting. Sherman is supposed to be staying with his dad, Sam and Penny, but I hope they won't mind sharing him.

Second Set of Shots are due by Saturday 10/24!

I got Rubicon's second set of shots yesterday. She weighed in at a whopping 17lbs! Anybody else out there get their pup's 10 week old weight checked yet?

Puppy Bjorn

We are supposed to expose them to new noises, people, places, and situations BUT we can't put them on the ground because their shots aren't complete. And they are getting a little to heavy and squirmy to hold! So I put her in a backpack and wore it in front when we were at the races last weekend and she loved it. She even fell asleep! I might need a bigger backpack soon.

Puppy Pictures!

Kona!
Sally!

Dana and Kylie!

Dana again! She still looks like a stuffed animal to me!

Rubicon at 9 weeks

Everything is going great with little Rubicon. She loves her bed and always takes her naps on it. It has been a lot easier than I expected having her join our family. I was worried Sutter would be jealous or feel neglected since she has had us all to herself for 3 years now. But Sutter loves her the most. Sutter actually stares at her and waits for her to wake up when she is napping so they can play. We have been very careful to do the things that have been suggested in books to make sure there aren't any dominance struggles, we always greet Sutter first, let her out the door first, feed her first, etc. Ruby doesn't seem to mind at all and Sutter doesn't feel threatened. Before, when we would sneak pups upstairs to our room to snuggle (before they went to their new homes) Sutter didn't really want them on our bed, or her dog bed. Those were "her" areas. Now when Ruby is on our bed, Sutter jumps up and joins her and they end up wrestling and playing and both getting kicked off. And Ruby is always welcome on Sutter's dog bed (of course that usually turns into a wrestling match as well, but allowed on the floor)

Here they are in action. Sutter acts like more of a puppy now than Ruby does. I think she has regressed to about 6 months old. She is hopping around and always smiling and just can't wait to play with her new best friend.

Playtime. Maybe that is why Rubicon is so easy, she is always tired from playing with mom!

I think she needs a trim, can't even see her eyes anymore!

I have a feeling I won't be trimming Ruby's hair nearly as much as I trim Sutters!

Hey, she actually looks at me now! And she has been sleeping in her crate, with the door closed in our room for the last couple of nights without waking up at all through the night. I think she will get moved into one of the boys rooms tonight. I can't believe I actually have a crate trained puppy! It is a miracle. Now if we could just get the potty training down.......

I think she is trying to tell me that it wasn't her who chewed up the edges of the deck, it was all those other pups that left already. Right!

She really is a sweet little girl. When people come over to visit, it is Sutter that I have to contain and is jumping around like an idiot greeting them. Rubicon quietly sits there, watching her mom act like a freak and waits for them to greet her. And I said I wasn't going to use treats for training....well that didn't last. I am using treats in a little plastic container with a lid. You get them used to the sound the cup makes when you shake it and they learn to respond to the command and the noise of the treats in the cup and it is working great. She is learning her name and to come when she is called. And we are teaching her the names of everybody in the family - Sutter is usually around and getting her nose in on the training times, so maybe the old dog will pick up some new tricks too and start acting like the 4 year old lady she should be! The only place we are not having a break through is on the leash training. She does not like being lead around by the leash. So we will keep working on it.

Dungey/Marlin

And yes, Dungey did find a new home. His new name is Marlin (you know, like in Nemo?). He went home with a wonderfully busy family with 2 boys and 1 little girl from Roseville. I think he will fit right in with them and always have somebody to play with. Just perfect for him, and those kids too!