Rodders could tell that I was going out by the change of clothes and footwear. Just before I put my coat on I spotted that he had pooped by the lounge door. As he had been playing in the conservatory and sitting on snuggle fleece beside me I have no idea when he did that, but it had to be after we came down from getting dressed and he hasn't asked to go out.
I cleaned up and sprayed with stain and odour removal and left him in the lounge while I went to the bin by the front door, he barked once. I put on my coat and as I got everything ready he sat on snuggle fleece by the dining table and had a whimper. Makes me feel awful, but at least he didn't run away.
He seemed happy to go in his crate and get his treats and he didn't make a sound as I pulled the cover down. But when I walked away towards the door he started crying, I could still hear him as I locked the door and walked away.
Job Centre and a little shopping done I headed home 90 minutes later. Not a peep as I got to the door, or when I walked through the house and put the shopping down. I think he must have been asleep as he didn't make a sound until I spoke. When I lifted the cover I could see that he has chewed the puppy pad but the water bowl had not been upended today and he was dry.
We went straight in to the garden and it took a while before he was happy to leave my side and have a piddle. We came back in and he played while I made a cuppa and something to eat. As I spotted him chewing the rolled up carpet or the stool I called him and made sure I had his attention before saying gently no biting. He came away each time :-)
Once I had finished eating he came up on my knee on the sofa and very quickly fell asleep. He is now at my feet on snuggle fleece.
OH will be here later, yippeeeee!!!! I love having him around, so does Rodders, and it is good to have some backup!
Showing posts with label puppy pad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puppy pad. Show all posts
Monday, 7 November 2011
Sunday, 6 November 2011
A short afternoon
I made sure that he had been for a piddle and then put him in his crate with some treats so I could nip to the shops. He wasn't happy about this and cried as I went out of the front door even though I had covered the crate.
When I got back about half an hour later he was silent until he heard me walk in and then whimpered a bit. As I lifted the cover off the crate I could see that he had been scratching at the puppy pad and he had managed to empty the water bowl. He was very happy to see me and was desperate for a fuss as we headed to the garden.
We stayed out there for about half an hour with Rodders chasing one of his toys as I threw it for him. Leaving him seems to have woken him up but it is cold and windy out so I am not going to take him for another walk today, at least in the garden he is sheltered from it.
He got a fuss over the garden fence from Pat next door and then went back to playing and running about while we talked.
We came in and went upstairs so I could get changed in to something warmer. He seems to forget that he can climb stairs and stopped at the bottom crying until I said come on then. He then came running up and got a fuss at the top.
He has been playing in the conservatory while I put the shopping away and tidied the kitchen (yesterdays bomb site now looks OK again) and he came i and barked then went to the conservatory door and barked to go in the garden. A quick piddle and he came running back in.
We have played with his ball, chasing it up and down from the conservatory to the lounge and he has just gone back out in the garden to sit and listen to Bob next door unload his fishing gear and put the car away. Bob usually throws his net over the fence to dry, when he did it today it set Rodders off barking. I let him bark a little and then went out and made him go and say hello to Bob and get a fuss. He then had a sniff of the net and was OK after that.
Bob caught 42lb today, nowhere near good enough for the winners 150lb!
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Going out
I needed to go to Tesco today and Rodders was not happy to go in his crate.
As soon as he saw me put on my boots and coat he was making little crying noises and tried to run away from me when I said he had to go in his bed. I caught him, got him some biscuits, and put him in his bed. He promptly tried to escape so I put him back in and shut the door. I gave him my usual goodbye, saying I wouldn't be long, no noise, no mess and walked out. He was crying before I got to the door and when I locked up but I couldn't hear him when I walked away towards the car.
Fingers crossed he will be OK, I didn't put the cover down this time.
I did all the shopping needed and notes Tesco will be shut from 13th to 21st so they can finish of the refurb and took a call from an employment agency about a job in Hemel paying lots. (Oh yes please, exactly what I am after) before heading home.
Rodders was silent as I walked in until he could see me and then started whimpering. He had wrecked the puppy pad and moved his bed and was sitting to the right of it behind the water bowl. He soon leapt back in his bed though while I opened the crate and gave him a fuss.
We went straight in to the garden so he could have a piddle but he didn't want to be far from me.
As soon as he saw me put on my boots and coat he was making little crying noises and tried to run away from me when I said he had to go in his bed. I caught him, got him some biscuits, and put him in his bed. He promptly tried to escape so I put him back in and shut the door. I gave him my usual goodbye, saying I wouldn't be long, no noise, no mess and walked out. He was crying before I got to the door and when I locked up but I couldn't hear him when I walked away towards the car.
Fingers crossed he will be OK, I didn't put the cover down this time.
I did all the shopping needed and notes Tesco will be shut from 13th to 21st so they can finish of the refurb and took a call from an employment agency about a job in Hemel paying lots. (Oh yes please, exactly what I am after) before heading home.
Rodders was silent as I walked in until he could see me and then started whimpering. He had wrecked the puppy pad and moved his bed and was sitting to the right of it behind the water bowl. He soon leapt back in his bed though while I opened the crate and gave him a fuss.
We went straight in to the garden so he could have a piddle but he didn't want to be far from me.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
An early start
Nobody told the puppy that the clocks have changed and Rodders woke at his usual 6.30 which is now 5.30.
A snooze together on the sofa will probably be required later!
As expected, he did have a piddle in his crate on the puppy pad but he did wait until I came down and let him in the garden before he did anything else.
He has eaten half of his breakfast and was very interested in me changing the puppy pad. He has been out in the garden a further twice and is up to the usual morning mischief!
A snooze together on the sofa will probably be required later!
As expected, he did have a piddle in his crate on the puppy pad but he did wait until I came down and let him in the garden before he did anything else.
He has eaten half of his breakfast and was very interested in me changing the puppy pad. He has been out in the garden a further twice and is up to the usual morning mischief!
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Hmm, chew sticks
Although Rodders seems to love his chew I have taken it off him. I was concerned about the amount he was drinking and he just seemed a bit odd.
I have had him up on my lap and have got him to settle.
I have put a water bowl back in his crate as he doesn't seem to get the drinking bottle yet and the last thing I want is him being thirsty overnight. We will probably have a wet puppy pad in the morning but hey ho!
Friday, 28 October 2011
What happened to my crate?
Rodders woke up and went and looked in his crate and seemed a bit confused by the state of it and there was no water in the bowl - I wonder why! I got up and came and sorted his crate out and as I took the bowl out he had another go at drinking from it! He watched what I was doing and as I took his bed out he went and had a sit in it. The bed pad is wet so has gone on the radiator, luckily we have another one. Once the new puppy pad was down and the water bowl in situ he went and had a drink.
Don't know why it had to be this bowl as he has 2!
He was happy enough for me to out his bed back in the crate and wandered off to play.
Don't know why it had to be this bowl as he has 2!
He was happy enough for me to out his bed back in the crate and wandered off to play.
OH's advice
So after yesterdays early start OH advised keeping Rodders up until about 11 last night to help re-set his body clock. Being the good girl that I am I did as I was told. Just after 11 I took Rodders out for his last Piddle. He wasn't impressed at being woken for that and tried to sleep on my foot on the path. He did eventually perform though.
He was put in his crate with a treat and off I went upstairs. Three very minor whinges later we both settled down for the night.
At 5.15 this morning Rodders started to stir and I rolled over. He carried on grumbling quietly until just after 6 when he got quite vocal. I got up and came downstairs, he was very pleased to see me and didn't know if we wanted a fuss or to go in to the garden so we sort of did both. We were in the garden for ages and through the dark I think he did at least 3 piddles, couldn't see if he had poo'd though. Eventually we came back in so that I could out the kettle on for a cuppa. He came in to the kitchen with me and seconds later I turned around to see that he had assumed the position :-( Grabbed him quick and put him out the patio door, he didn't make it off the patio so that had to be cleaned up very quickly.
Once that little drama was over I made my cuppa and his breakfast. He ate quite a lot at the first sitting and then wandered off for a play in the conservatory. He has been back to it but has not finished it.
He has been a bundle of energy and mischief this morning. Oh, and by the way, the crate was dry this morning but he had chewed the puppy pad - should have got up when I first heard him shouldn't I!
He was put in his crate with a treat and off I went upstairs. Three very minor whinges later we both settled down for the night.
At 5.15 this morning Rodders started to stir and I rolled over. He carried on grumbling quietly until just after 6 when he got quite vocal. I got up and came downstairs, he was very pleased to see me and didn't know if we wanted a fuss or to go in to the garden so we sort of did both. We were in the garden for ages and through the dark I think he did at least 3 piddles, couldn't see if he had poo'd though. Eventually we came back in so that I could out the kettle on for a cuppa. He came in to the kitchen with me and seconds later I turned around to see that he had assumed the position :-( Grabbed him quick and put him out the patio door, he didn't make it off the patio so that had to be cleaned up very quickly.
Once that little drama was over I made my cuppa and his breakfast. He ate quite a lot at the first sitting and then wandered off for a play in the conservatory. He has been back to it but has not finished it.
He has been a bundle of energy and mischief this morning. Oh, and by the way, the crate was dry this morning but he had chewed the puppy pad - should have got up when I first heard him shouldn't I!
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Cream crackered
Rodders stayed in the kitchen with me most of the time I was cooking dinner but he was desperate to go and get comfy in the lounge. Just as I had a spare 5 minutes to settle him down I called OH to see where he was - back gate, send the dogs out!
So Rodders and I went to the back door to wait. Much as I love OH, he takes an age to get himself out of the car and I was struggling to keep Rodders interest. And then the back gate opened and OH spoke to him, the tail came straight up and started wagging, good job I wasn't looking for a guard dog. As OH came in the back door Rodders went all stupid and backed off. OH & I had a quick cuddle and Rodders ventured closer. Once we had finished OH picked him up for a quick talking to before going off to change for dinner (No, not the DJ, from suit in to casual!) and then came back and kept an eye on Rodders while I finished dinner and sorted the table out. He agrees that Rodders is a fidget arse, is there any wonder he has fallen off the sofa twice, he is far safer on the floor!
As I put everything on the table I moved a Snuggle Fleece to the floor by the Dining Table. As we started to eat Rodders settled down, then he decided to take himself off to bed in the crate - this is a first, he usually only goes as far as the door of his own accord! Or at least he started in his bed and ended up on the puppy pad. This may have given us an insight in to how he upends the water bowl, he pushes his feet against it.
After dinner I tidied away a bit and Rodders was soon up checking what I was doing so I came through to settle him down and put my feet up. Once he was on the floor I went to make a cuppa and he didn't even stir. Having been upset while I was at Tesco I suspect he didn't sleep much, he then played with Sophie and then out to the vets so he hasn't had a lot of sleep during the day today.
Pudding this evening was some lovely Thornton's Chocolates :-)
So Rodders and I went to the back door to wait. Much as I love OH, he takes an age to get himself out of the car and I was struggling to keep Rodders interest. And then the back gate opened and OH spoke to him, the tail came straight up and started wagging, good job I wasn't looking for a guard dog. As OH came in the back door Rodders went all stupid and backed off. OH & I had a quick cuddle and Rodders ventured closer. Once we had finished OH picked him up for a quick talking to before going off to change for dinner (No, not the DJ, from suit in to casual!) and then came back and kept an eye on Rodders while I finished dinner and sorted the table out. He agrees that Rodders is a fidget arse, is there any wonder he has fallen off the sofa twice, he is far safer on the floor!
As I put everything on the table I moved a Snuggle Fleece to the floor by the Dining Table. As we started to eat Rodders settled down, then he decided to take himself off to bed in the crate - this is a first, he usually only goes as far as the door of his own accord! Or at least he started in his bed and ended up on the puppy pad. This may have given us an insight in to how he upends the water bowl, he pushes his feet against it.
After dinner I tidied away a bit and Rodders was soon up checking what I was doing so I came through to settle him down and put my feet up. Once he was on the floor I went to make a cuppa and he didn't even stir. Having been upset while I was at Tesco I suspect he didn't sleep much, he then played with Sophie and then out to the vets so he hasn't had a lot of sleep during the day today.
Pudding this evening was some lovely Thornton's Chocolates :-)
Rodders has a new playmate
I left Rodders in his crate while I went to Tesco's I could hear him crying as I walked to the car :-( I was away 40 minutes and he was not crying when I got back but he was sitting in the corner of his crate shaking, he had managed to pull up part of the puppy pad and had moved his water bowl but not upended it. How on earth do we stop this?
As I let him out in the garden for a piddle the front door bell rang and Sophie from No1 had brought him a toy and some treats. I invited her in and Rodders was his usual shy self. I let her give him a treat which seemed to help and he was soon happy to have a sniff and check she was OK. She was very sensible and waited for him to go to her. He then started to play a bit with his new cow toy, it is a real hit. He then wanted to go in the garden so we went out there, he had a piddle and a bit of a run around chasing me. I brought out his monkey and Sophie soon got him playing tug with that so I beat a hasty retreat to put the shopping away. It is so nice to see him playing with someone else!
He was quite comfortable with Sophie so I kept popping in and out to check they were OK and managed to get his crate put back together and locate the paperwork for the vets before Sophie left. I did smile as she was giving me tips on how to look after a dog (don't give it yoghurt from the pot or it will jump up when it sees you eating it, for one), she is desperate to have a dog of her own and is making do with a tortoise and stick insects. She is very willing to walk Rodders whenever she can, I am sure that she will be very responsible with him and I know I would have been as eager at her age. I did make it clear that she is welcome to visit whenever she likes and she doesn't need to bring a new toy or treats with her!
Since she has gone he has been running around like a lunatic, from the front window to the conservatory and back again, sometimes with a toy, sometimes without. He then stopped for a big long drink, closely followed by moving the water bowl about and splashing water everywhere! He got trapped behind the baby gate while I cleared up and wasn't happy at all that he couldn't help with the kitchen roll activity!
I have now let him out and he has not quietened down at all. I suspect a trip to the vets will sort that out!
Friday, 21 October 2011
Not such an easy night
Although Rodders was shattered he wasn't too impressed at being put in his bed in his crate and he whined and cried for about 10 minutes before settling down.
I came to at 7am to him crying so came down as soon as I had used the bathroom, he had a piddle in the crate overnight on the puppy pad but he had been in there for 8 hours, just over. He had also thrown the snuggle fleece out of his bed so he must have been awake a while
We went straight out in to the garden and he had a piddle and wanted to come back in. I made him stay out until he had poo'd as well. He was interested in the piddle he did on the patio last night so at the first opportunity I got I went out and mopped it up and sprayed liberally with the odour and stain removal - he now wants to sniff and drink that.
He has also done a couple of things this morning that he hasn't before, he took the toy in his crate out and in to the conservatory and he dragged his snuggle fleece out and all the way down the lounge to the other one.
I am determined to stop him biting me today and improve on the 4 piddles in the house. When he has got rough with me I have tried to divert his attention with a toy and if that hasn't worked I have taken myself off behind the baby gate to the kitchen. We have also been out to the garden every 20 minutes so far.
He stopped dead at the sound of the bin men so we went and out out our bin to get him used to the noises. He has since stopped and listened a couple of times and then carried on playing.
He has played happily on his own in the conservatory (mainly)while I typed this up with an interruption for the garden and bin men, but has earnt an Aaaaargh or two when chewing something he shouldn't.
I came to at 7am to him crying so came down as soon as I had used the bathroom, he had a piddle in the crate overnight on the puppy pad but he had been in there for 8 hours, just over. He had also thrown the snuggle fleece out of his bed so he must have been awake a while
We went straight out in to the garden and he had a piddle and wanted to come back in. I made him stay out until he had poo'd as well. He was interested in the piddle he did on the patio last night so at the first opportunity I got I went out and mopped it up and sprayed liberally with the odour and stain removal - he now wants to sniff and drink that.
He has also done a couple of things this morning that he hasn't before, he took the toy in his crate out and in to the conservatory and he dragged his snuggle fleece out and all the way down the lounge to the other one.
I am determined to stop him biting me today and improve on the 4 piddles in the house. When he has got rough with me I have tried to divert his attention with a toy and if that hasn't worked I have taken myself off behind the baby gate to the kitchen. We have also been out to the garden every 20 minutes so far.
He stopped dead at the sound of the bin men so we went and out out our bin to get him used to the noises. He has since stopped and listened a couple of times and then carried on playing.
He has played happily on his own in the conservatory (mainly)while I typed this up with an interruption for the garden and bin men, but has earnt an Aaaaargh or two when chewing something he shouldn't.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
A 6am start
OH had to be up and on the road early today and Rodders heard him moving about and started to whimper. I came down and let him out the crate. He had used the puppy pad in the night but may have been when Bob and Pat left for Portugal at 4.30am.
I put the kettle on and then we went out in to the garden. I stayed out there with him for ages to make sure that he piddled and pooped before we came back in to make tea. It's tough doing this without a drink! But right now Rodders in more important than my needs.
We made tea and took OH's up to him and said good morning and then went down to play in the conservatory, stopping in the kitchen to start his breakfast. Rodders is fine playing on his own mainly so I just sat and watched with my cuppa. When he started to sniff about we went back in the garden for another piddle. The birds were starting to wake up and that seemed to spook him a bit so I just talked gently saying morning birds. So not only am I the mad lady that talks to her dog, it now includes the local wild life!
Rodders showed some interest when OH came down, especially as he bent down to do up with shoes and there was a tie dangling! Luckily OH moved fairly quickly or that would have been a gonna!
As OH said goodbye, I notice Rodders got more fuss than me, it was time for breakfast. As normal he wolfed down the first bit, went back to it twice more and having eaten most of it I took it up.
More play, but he is getting mischievous and needs to be watched at all times. Although there are lots of toys (maybe too many) it is much more fun to chew something you shouldn't. The bottom of the sofa looks tasty today, as does the end of the rolled up rug. Rather than tell him off I try to divert his attention on to his toys. Is this the right thing to do?
As he started to get rougher and more bitey I removed myself to the kitchen behind the baby gate a couple of times and he was happy to go off and play with something else. I came out quietly, without fuss, and we carried on. Then the biting got out of control and I realised he had been very active for almost 2 hours. I picked him up, came in to the lounge and put him and the snuggle fleece on my knee. Five minutes of gentle stroking, his heart rate slowed, and his eyes were closing. Gently moved him to the floor where he is gently snoozing at my feet.
I put the kettle on and then we went out in to the garden. I stayed out there with him for ages to make sure that he piddled and pooped before we came back in to make tea. It's tough doing this without a drink! But right now Rodders in more important than my needs.
We made tea and took OH's up to him and said good morning and then went down to play in the conservatory, stopping in the kitchen to start his breakfast. Rodders is fine playing on his own mainly so I just sat and watched with my cuppa. When he started to sniff about we went back in the garden for another piddle. The birds were starting to wake up and that seemed to spook him a bit so I just talked gently saying morning birds. So not only am I the mad lady that talks to her dog, it now includes the local wild life!
Rodders showed some interest when OH came down, especially as he bent down to do up with shoes and there was a tie dangling! Luckily OH moved fairly quickly or that would have been a gonna!
As OH said goodbye, I notice Rodders got more fuss than me, it was time for breakfast. As normal he wolfed down the first bit, went back to it twice more and having eaten most of it I took it up.
More play, but he is getting mischievous and needs to be watched at all times. Although there are lots of toys (maybe too many) it is much more fun to chew something you shouldn't. The bottom of the sofa looks tasty today, as does the end of the rolled up rug. Rather than tell him off I try to divert his attention on to his toys. Is this the right thing to do?
As he started to get rougher and more bitey I removed myself to the kitchen behind the baby gate a couple of times and he was happy to go off and play with something else. I came out quietly, without fuss, and we carried on. Then the biting got out of control and I realised he had been very active for almost 2 hours. I picked him up, came in to the lounge and put him and the snuggle fleece on my knee. Five minutes of gentle stroking, his heart rate slowed, and his eyes were closing. Gently moved him to the floor where he is gently snoozing at my feet.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Taking advantage
So Rodders is dopey and needs some quiet time. A quick dash upstairs to collect a heavy blanket which I put over the sides and front of his cage and then I got him a little excited about the puppy treats I was putting in there, closely followed by him.
Three little grizzles as I walked to wards the door, bit like I got last night, this is huge progress! I was out for just about an hour, gathering Birthday Tea goodies from Tesco for OH, and came home to.......
Silence!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, Rodders now thinks he is a Budgie and goes quiet when the crate is covered. He was very happy to see me, but he had wrecked the puppy pad, spilt water, and dragged the fleece out of his bed. Nowhere near as badly as he has done the last twice I left him and they were for much shorter periods of time. I am counting this as a HUGE success!
Another reason why I love OH, he is full of helpful ideas and support :-)
Three little grizzles as I walked to wards the door, bit like I got last night, this is huge progress! I was out for just about an hour, gathering Birthday Tea goodies from Tesco for OH, and came home to.......
Silence!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, Rodders now thinks he is a Budgie and goes quiet when the crate is covered. He was very happy to see me, but he had wrecked the puppy pad, spilt water, and dragged the fleece out of his bed. Nowhere near as badly as he has done the last twice I left him and they were for much shorter periods of time. I am counting this as a HUGE success!
Another reason why I love OH, he is full of helpful ideas and support :-)
Mornings :-(
The non smiley face is for me, I really don't do mornings!
Last night was amazing, I put him in his bed and went upstairs to 3 tiny little squeaks, not even real whinges. Good boy Rodders.
I woke this morning to him barking and a funny noise so I came down as quickly as I could. Rodders was very pleased to see me and we put the kettle on before going out for a piddle (looks like he also had one in the night on the puppy pad) and coming in to make my tea and start Rodders breakfast. As I turned round he had assumed the position so to speak and I grabbed him and put him out. Just made it to the patio but it was outside! Amazingly the little horror had held on to it since about 6pm last night!
After playing inside and out and running about like a lunatic he ate a hearty breakfast - in 3 sittings! Firstly he wolfed it down so quick he ran off to his snuggle fleece, belched and came back, then it was off to play before the final sitting.
He has decided that his toilet to piddle is now between the chairs and the cubes in the conservatory and this needs to be stopped. I put him behind the baby gate in the kitchen, with some of his toys, while I sprayed the area liberally with stain and odour remover. He wasn't happy at being in the kitchen even though I was talking to him, but at this stage I was out of sight. I came back to sit on a dining chair so he could see me and when he was quiet I threw him a puppy treat which he was happy to chase for a second. Then he whinged again so I carried on talking to him. When he was quiet he got another puppy treat. Once he was settled happily playing without me I went in to the kitchen and closed the gate behind me. I then located all the puppy treats and he was happy to munch on those that he had missed. Success I thought as I sat on the floor watching him, and then I realised that piddle was soaking in to my dressing gown :-( Ah well, it washes and I have another one.
Dear Santa, please may I have that nice fleecy mud coloured one from Sainsbugs? I think I may need it!
Last night was amazing, I put him in his bed and went upstairs to 3 tiny little squeaks, not even real whinges. Good boy Rodders.
I woke this morning to him barking and a funny noise so I came down as quickly as I could. Rodders was very pleased to see me and we put the kettle on before going out for a piddle (looks like he also had one in the night on the puppy pad) and coming in to make my tea and start Rodders breakfast. As I turned round he had assumed the position so to speak and I grabbed him and put him out. Just made it to the patio but it was outside! Amazingly the little horror had held on to it since about 6pm last night!
After playing inside and out and running about like a lunatic he ate a hearty breakfast - in 3 sittings! Firstly he wolfed it down so quick he ran off to his snuggle fleece, belched and came back, then it was off to play before the final sitting.
He has decided that his toilet to piddle is now between the chairs and the cubes in the conservatory and this needs to be stopped. I put him behind the baby gate in the kitchen, with some of his toys, while I sprayed the area liberally with stain and odour remover. He wasn't happy at being in the kitchen even though I was talking to him, but at this stage I was out of sight. I came back to sit on a dining chair so he could see me and when he was quiet I threw him a puppy treat which he was happy to chase for a second. Then he whinged again so I carried on talking to him. When he was quiet he got another puppy treat. Once he was settled happily playing without me I went in to the kitchen and closed the gate behind me. I then located all the puppy treats and he was happy to munch on those that he had missed. Success I thought as I sat on the floor watching him, and then I realised that piddle was soaking in to my dressing gown :-( Ah well, it washes and I have another one.
Dear Santa, please may I have that nice fleecy mud coloured one from Sainsbugs? I think I may need it!
Monday, 17 October 2011
Warts and all
So if I am going to put everything in here I should also mention that a 9 week old puppy managed to reduce me to tears today :-(
I have decided that I am going to leave him for short periods every day this week to try and get him used to being left. He had napped, he had played and he had piddled so I thought I was safe to nip up to the cashpoint and grab something at the shop. I talked to him and explained that I was going to the shop and I would only be gone a short time as I put him in his crate.
My beautiful, gorgeous puppy changed in an instant as I closed the crate door and was whining and creating before I had even got to the door. I could hear him as I walked to the car, still crying. I was gone for less than 15 minutes and I could hear him crying as I got back and was walking towards the house.
The instant that my key went in the door the crying stopped. I talked to him as I put the shopping down and he sat in his bed so nicely but you should should see the rest of the crate. He has obviously been pulling at the puppy pad which has upended the water all over the place, he has wet his bed pad (this is a first) and I just don't know how to stop his stress at being left.
I just picked him up out of his crate, snuggled him in to me, and it was my turn to cry.
Since I came back we have played, piddled and pooped in the garden and have played chase. He has played with the toys in the conservatory and he is still a bundle of adorable mischief but where do I go from here?
I have decided that I am going to leave him for short periods every day this week to try and get him used to being left. He had napped, he had played and he had piddled so I thought I was safe to nip up to the cashpoint and grab something at the shop. I talked to him and explained that I was going to the shop and I would only be gone a short time as I put him in his crate.
My beautiful, gorgeous puppy changed in an instant as I closed the crate door and was whining and creating before I had even got to the door. I could hear him as I walked to the car, still crying. I was gone for less than 15 minutes and I could hear him crying as I got back and was walking towards the house.
The instant that my key went in the door the crying stopped. I talked to him as I put the shopping down and he sat in his bed so nicely but you should should see the rest of the crate. He has obviously been pulling at the puppy pad which has upended the water all over the place, he has wet his bed pad (this is a first) and I just don't know how to stop his stress at being left.
I just picked him up out of his crate, snuggled him in to me, and it was my turn to cry.
Since I came back we have played, piddled and pooped in the garden and have played chase. He has played with the toys in the conservatory and he is still a bundle of adorable mischief but where do I go from here?
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Lunch, playing, email, leaving
Slipped in to look and OH has built him a step to help him get in and out the back door :-) His own custom designed step, how cool is that! Can't wait to try it out this evening!
We played outside for ages, Rodders got a bit spooked by some birds in flight but settled down fairly quickly. He also seems to be a gardening dog as he is removing the shrubbery from between the cracks in the back path - need to be careful as he could do Bob next door out of a job! Bob has been my gardener for years and really looks after me.
Once Rodders was worn out we came back in and I sat on the floor of the conservatory with him. After the disaster when I left him on Thursday I am keen to try it again but for way less than 2 hours and I needed to nip to the shop. As he was already dopey this seemed like a good opportunity. I put him in his crate with a couple of puppy treats and told him that I was going to the shop and would be back soon - OK so I am nuts talking to a dog but how else is he going to know? He was crying as I left, I dashed to the shop and back again and could hear him crying as I stood on the front door step, I had been 10 minutes absolute max. Hmmm, going to have to work on this one :-( I let myself in and as soon as he heard my voice the crying stopped.
Again he had pulled at the puppy pad and managed to move the sturdy water bowl but he was in his bed when I caught sight of him and not scrabbling to get out of his crate. I sat on the floor and talked to him for a second or two telling him that I had told him I wouldn't be long and then I let him out. He wanted a cuddle, which he got with lots of fuss as he was being quiet. I knew he was tired and when I put him down he headed straight for his snuggle blanket and is asleep at my feet again.
So this weeks task is going to be to leave him for a little while each day in the hope that I can get this stopped. I also need to read up on my "Perfect Puppy" book to see if I should have come back in when he was crying.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Venturing out in the car again
Decided that we should have a short trip in the car as Rodders hasn't been out sine Tuesday and so we headed for Pets at Home - there are limited places you can take a puppy! He had a little whinge on the way down - he doest seem to like talk radio & was fine when I switched to music! He was happy to get out of his car crate and we ambled in to the shop. It was a bit busy and he was nervous so I carried on talking to him gently and encouraged others to stop and talk. There were lots of noises and people trying out squeaky things - he quite liked this noise. Got some more Puppy pads just incase and made our way to the till where he got a fuss and then they called for Kirsty who is Mini Schnauzer mad :-) She came and fussed Rodders and then took him for a cuddle, he seemed to like that. Note to self, make sure we ask for Kirsty the next time we visit. Should be easy to remember as she has the same name as my sister!
Rodders was quiet on the journey home until I stopped at the little Tesco to grab a couple of bits. He was quiet while I was in there but had a little whinge once we started moving. Again, he stopped once the music was playing.
When I got home he was shaking a little so I talked to him and gave him a fuss before I lifted him out of the crate.
We went straight in to the garden and he had a piddle so lots more fuss and a puppy treat.
Rodders was quiet on the journey home until I stopped at the little Tesco to grab a couple of bits. He was quiet while I was in there but had a little whinge once we started moving. Again, he stopped once the music was playing.
When I got home he was shaking a little so I talked to him and gave him a fuss before I lifted him out of the crate.
We went straight in to the garden and he had a piddle so lots more fuss and a puppy treat.
Forgot to say....
We have taken up the paper indoors and have left a puppy pad down, using the sticky bits to make sure it stays on the floor. This way he has the same thing in his crate and in the lounge.
Rodders had decided that it was lots of fun to play with the paper so it seemed like it was time to go!
So far, we have had on piddle on the pad but I really would rather I could get him to go and do his business outside soonish.
Rodders had decided that it was lots of fun to play with the paper so it seemed like it was time to go!
So far, we have had on piddle on the pad but I really would rather I could get him to go and do his business outside soonish.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Our first morning
We were up really early as OH had an early start and I didn't want Rodders to be on his own once someone was up and about. OH showered upstairs before we both came down so Rodders knew that there was someone up and about but he still didn't make a sound.
As I approached his crate he came out of his bed towards me and as I lifted him out he was whimpering and making gorgeous little puppy noises. He had used the puppy pad in the night but was happy to go on the paper for the first pee of the day.
I made his breakfast and waited for it to cool down before giving it to him and he was very hungry.
Bob and Pat next door knocked on the back window as I was making a cup of tea. They couldn't wait any longer to see Rodders! We talked over the garden fence and Rodders seemed to be OK.
He was happy to play with me and his toys and kept going to the paper to relieve himself. What a good puppy I have, this is going to be easy!!!!
As I approached his crate he came out of his bed towards me and as I lifted him out he was whimpering and making gorgeous little puppy noises. He had used the puppy pad in the night but was happy to go on the paper for the first pee of the day.
I made his breakfast and waited for it to cool down before giving it to him and he was very hungry.
Bob and Pat next door knocked on the back window as I was making a cup of tea. They couldn't wait any longer to see Rodders! We talked over the garden fence and Rodders seemed to be OK.
First bedtime
I had brought Rodders car crate in for the first night and as bedtime approached I was very concerned about how he would be. OH was also concerned that he hadn't had a great deal to drink out of his bowl but he seemed to be OK licking water off your fingers.
He had been sat on my knee and was a bit dopey when I picked him up and placed him gently in the crate with a puppy pad, bed, bed pad, snuggle fleece and water bowl. We said goodnight, switched off the lights and made our way upstairs.
He started crying before we had even got out of the room so I thought we would be in for a long night. How wrong was I! He stopped crying within about 10 minutes!!!! What an amazing little boy this is :-)
I was so tired from the excitement of the day that I dropped off soon after. My OH on the other hand hardly slept as he was convinced that one of us would need to go down and comfort the puppy as he was bound to be missing his four brothers.
He had been sat on my knee and was a bit dopey when I picked him up and placed him gently in the crate with a puppy pad, bed, bed pad, snuggle fleece and water bowl. We said goodnight, switched off the lights and made our way upstairs.
He started crying before we had even got out of the room so I thought we would be in for a long night. How wrong was I! He stopped crying within about 10 minutes!!!! What an amazing little boy this is :-)
I was so tired from the excitement of the day that I dropped off soon after. My OH on the other hand hardly slept as he was convinced that one of us would need to go down and comfort the puppy as he was bound to be missing his four brothers.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
9 days to Puppy Proof & get ready for the new arrival
I have warned some of my neighbours that we are due to get a new addition, luckily they seem quite pleased!
So where do I start in my neglected home? De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter!!!
Several trips to the tip later we were almost there and it was time to start shopping for my new arrival. First on the list was a Car Crate to make sure that he would be safe on the long journey home - this could be between 2 & 3 hours depending on traffic. So off I went to GJW Titmuss in Wheathampstead, an amazing emporium that seems to cater for every sort of animal and pet, not just cats & dogs. They had a car crate that would do him initially but I needed something that would do him longer term - no problem, they could have it in stock within 2 days and would give me a call. So I picked up a toy or two and some puppy pads and ambled off home again.
Two days later the call came and back I went to Titmuss's to try it for size. Even better, it had a slight crack in it and so they were reducing the price. It fitted and so I handed over my cash and was on my way home again. So pleased this amazing shop is so close to home!
More to follow......
So where do I start in my neglected home? De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter!!!
Several trips to the tip later we were almost there and it was time to start shopping for my new arrival. First on the list was a Car Crate to make sure that he would be safe on the long journey home - this could be between 2 & 3 hours depending on traffic. So off I went to GJW Titmuss in Wheathampstead, an amazing emporium that seems to cater for every sort of animal and pet, not just cats & dogs. They had a car crate that would do him initially but I needed something that would do him longer term - no problem, they could have it in stock within 2 days and would give me a call. So I picked up a toy or two and some puppy pads and ambled off home again.
Two days later the call came and back I went to Titmuss's to try it for size. Even better, it had a slight crack in it and so they were reducing the price. It fitted and so I handed over my cash and was on my way home again. So pleased this amazing shop is so close to home!
More to follow......
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