Episode 4: 11 wks: Visitor

Bonnie

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: white with brown spots

Expected size: about 70-80 lbs

Current weight: 16 lbs

Clyde

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: Lilac

Expected size: about 80 lbs

Current Weight 19 lbs

New Collars AGAIN

Sometime when they had the opprotunity, Bonnie or Clyde, or both, chewed the plastic snap on the pink collar in to pieces. They were on the edge of being to small anyway so we bought new ones. They are quite big but hopefully, will be more sturdy! The pups need it.

Weekly Adventure: Nico

This week Tori came to visit and brought her dog, Nico. He is very large, young, and full of energy. He is happy-go-lucky and excited to play with his friends. When Nico plays with Moxie and Penny, I have to steady myself or sit down so they don't knock me down accidentally while they are running. They play hard and fast!

Bonnie and Clyde wanted to join in when they saw the "big" dogs playing. The speed and the rough play made everyone a little nervous but we knew that we had to let it happen to find out. In a moment that Penny stopped playing to get "lovins," Clyde pounced at the opprotunity to wrestle with Nico. I watched Nico's entire demeanor change to accomodate the little ones. The 80 pound dog slowed down, rolled over on his back, wrestled gently, and urged the puppies to play with him. He was great!

PUPPY PAD UPDATE: (accuracy =85%)

We have learned that keeping the puppies corraled in a smaller area that includes the pads, helps them remember to go to the pads. The smaller area isn't small. It is two rooms. But when we move our make-shift barrier, it open up the entire downstairs for them and then they mess up. (It also frees up Moxie to come downstairs to the other rooms).

We have discovered that Bonnie is a little vindictive. If she gets scolded, or doesn't get her way, she will pee on the floor to get attention. She is a mess!

MOXIE AND PENNY UPDATE

Moxie

She finally gave in. It took her almost a month but her stubborness took a back seat as she slowly began to interact with the puppies. She still spends most of her day upstairs, but she hangs out in the same room as the puppers more than she ever did. She will quietly sit and look out the window or sit by Bradley and get pets. If she is in there very long, Bonnie will enevitably approach her and try to play (she is bolder than Clyde). She growls at her but Bonnie and Clyde can tell the difference between her play and her "get out of my face" growl, even though Clyde usually chooses to ignore the warning. Most of the time she wrestles slightly and plays chase. They all sniff each other and Moxie continually exerts her dominance so that the puppies know their place in the pack.

Penny

Now the only problem we face is Penny. She has gotten increasingly attached to Bonnie and Clyde; hovering over them and putting her own body in between them and the "perceived" danger (which to Penny seems like everything). If Moxie gets too zealous, plays too hard, or shows too much dominance, Penny quietly walks in the middle of them. She always watches them and responds to most of all their yipes. This is an attribute that we encourage but Penny takes it too far at times. Even though Moxie is the pack leader, this remains the only reason yet that Penny steps up and takes the chance of Moxie's wrath and protects her little ones.

Cutest Moment

I did a photo shoot of a toddler for Easter. I thought it would be adorable to include the puppies. Unfortunately, the best lighting at my house is in the entry with the door open. This was just not puppy friendly. Now that both puppies love the outside, they kept running out the door, which included one of us running out behing to catch them. We tried many times to corral them but getting both dogs and a toddler to behave long enough to get a cute shot proved too challenging. We removed Bonnie from the equation and put Clyde in a stroller. This worked well because he is a scardy-"dog". The toddler fed him treats and he did pretty well for about five minutes.

Firsts

1. Photo Shoot

2. Walks in the park

3. Ride in truck with seatcover (out of crate)

Training Commands

1. Watch (focus on owners eyes without distraction)

2. Sit (they do very well)

3. Shake (try to do iy without them biting your hand)