Episode 13: 5 months: Backyard Shenanigans

Amy Shackelford
May 25, 2021
5 min read

Updated: Jul 4, 2021

Bonnie

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: white with brown spots

Red Nose

Expected size: about 70-80 lbs

Current weight: 38 lbs

Clyde

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: Lilac

Red Nose

Expected size: about 80 lbs

Current Weight 44 lbs

BACKYARD SHENANIGANS

This week we hopped in the truck and drove to Moxie’s and Penny’s house. I’m sure it as odd to all of them to be on a different home court but the yard was fenced, and we wanted to see how they would react. We had to walk through the house to get to the backyard. Bonnie sniffed a little but was fine. Clyde was very timid but moved along with a little coaxing.

Once out there, the pups followed the big dog’s lead. They ran back and forth the entire length of the yard, stopping only to sniff the new smells or taste the grass. They wrestled (yes, all four of them), taking turns being the victim on the bottom of the dog pile.

They had a blast. They truly enjoyed each other and the moment. As human beings, it is sad they we can’t seem to let go of our burdens long enough to enjoy the simple moments like this pit crew! They had a pitty party of their own and it was a lot better than the ones we have.

All pictures in backward order

HEAT VS. LESS HEAT

It has been increasingly hot outside with the anticipation of, you guessed it, more heat. Bradley and I are already sunburned, but the puppies demand a lot of outdoor time. We are not in the mindset to deny them the opportunity to master the whole potty-training skill or deny them the joys of the outdoors that they are growing to love so much. That being said, any opportunity that arises to make everyone happy will be snatched up without hesitation!

We are on vacation this week, so we don’t have to get up before the sun (except for when the puppies demand it). Since our mornings are temporarily un-scheduled, we decided to be spontaneous one night. So, at 9:30 PM, we went to the dog park. The only light was provided by the moon, so we took flashlights for us (the puppies had no concerns at all)!

When we got there, of course the park was empty, but open. We went to the section of the park that the pups had never been to before. Bonnie and Clyde were excited about all the new smells. They sniffed the ENTIRE time and hardly ran off to play or wrestle. They were very occupied and intrigued by so much new information.

You know how elephants are trained with a chain around their ankle from birth so that when they reach adulthood they don’t even try to escape (even though they are strong enough to break the chain)? This is what Bonnie and Clyde reminded me of in the park that night. They are used to the retractable leash. They so would run out to that length but never run past it. Often they would turn and wait for us to catch up before running off again. It was amazing and re-assuring to see them to that without prodding.

MOMENT TO REMEMBER

We were taking one of our walks through the field behind the house. Even though that the grass is above their heads and thick from never being cut, the pups have learned to navigate through while not getting tangled or stuck in their leashes. Well, we came to a turn in the path but like normal, I kept walking as Clyde pounced and frolicked in the grass. Bonnie did the same but maneuvered backwards out of the weeds and around the curve and caught up with me. Clyde continued deeper into the weeds as I kept walking. I saw the grass stop moving, Clyde froze. He could not find his way out. I called his name and he ran my direction but the leash was caught on the thick weeds, preventing him from moving anymore. He could have kept running and made the leash move over the top of the weeds but at this point he was on high alert and not moving at all.

Just then, before I could even start walking to him, Bonnie sprung into action. She walked back around the corner and entered the weeds through Clyde’s noticeable path. She walked all the way to him, then they came out together. They ran up the path to me and we continued our walk. Thank you, Bonnie!!! Now all we gotta do is check you for ticks!

POTTY TRAINING UPDATE:

They are both very good about waiting to go outside. At this point, if they mess up (which is almost always on the puppy pads), it is our fault. Of course we both are hyper aware, so we take them out about every two hours. We are starting to strech that time so that they will build endurance.

Both puppies have now whined in such a way that we know to take them out. THEY ARE SO GOOD!!!

We put a clean pad down on Wed. So far, it is still clean!

BROTHER VS. SISTER

This brother and sister duo love each other so much and are very considerate and helpful to each other. But, on the flip side, you can tell they are brother and sister. Each one has their moment where he (or she) tries to assert dominance. Neither of them succeeds for more than the moment. Here are some examples…

Thoughtful- If I set Bonnie’s food bowl down a few seconds before Clyde’s, she will not eat until Clyde has his too. Clyde does the same for her but not all the time.
Dominance- If one pup gets in the crate first, they growl and refuse to move when the other dog needs in.
Thoughtful- Bonnie going back to help Clyde find his way out of the weeds.
Dominance- If one pup has a toy or rawhide bone, they growl the other away. They have even lured the other away, run back and take their toy or bone, then sit with their paw over it as they as they enjoy having both!
Thoughtful- Both of them will whine if the other is pinned and not them.
Thoughtful- Clyde gives Bonnie her way more often than not. I personally think he should be a little more assertive, but he loves her.
Thoughtful- If you fuss at one, they both react.

CUTEST MOMENT

Bonnie freezes when she reacts to an alerting sound or movement. It is cute (unless she is pulling toward it). But the topper was when we noticed her stopping in mid-lick if she gets distracted. Too cute.

WHY... JUST WHY MOMENT

Whenever we take the puppers for a walk, they must think that it is a buffet. They seemingly stop at every blade of grass and graze like cows. Then when you walk further and there is a different smelling weed, they stop and snack again. I know that the grass doesn’t hurt them and dogs use it to settle their stomachs but I believe they do it so much that it is habit. We are trying to break them of this habit but…why…just why?

Firsts

Tried peanut butter (inside a bone) They both were enjoying it until Bonnie snatched it from Clyde then manuvered and growled so that he could not have it back. He didn't fight her; he let her have it. Rotten Bonnie!
Clyde now has a "big boy" bark. He lost that cute little puppy bark. But at least now people know there is a big dog in our house (and a cute one).
New dog bed (which they immediately distoyed to shreds) Back to blankets only!