Maybe Rodders is like me and can't eat when he first gets up as he has just been back and has polished off the rest of his breakfast.
He then wanted a big fuss and a scratch of his ear and has now settled on snuggle fleece at my feet, I suspect it won't be for long!
Showing posts with label Rodders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rodders. Show all posts
Friday, 28 October 2011
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!
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Almost done X Factor!
Part way through XFactor, during an ad break I woke Rodders up, encouraged him outside (ignored the ringing phone) and he piddled, got fussed and a treat, came back in and he settled on his snuggle blanket again.
Smug? Me? You bet :-)
Oh please let bedtime go better tonight!
Smug? Me? You bet :-)
Oh please let bedtime go better tonight!
Tea!
After his afternoon nap Rodders woke up and we went straight in the garden. He was quite dopey but went and had a piddle on the grass and earnt himself a lot of fuss and a puppy treat. We played in the garden for a little longer and then someone set off either a firework or a bird scarer, you should have seen Rodders bolt for the door. I called him back and picked him up to calm him down, talking gently. Once his little heart had slowed down I put him down and we carried on playing. I really hope this is the right thing to do but I need him to be able to cope with these sort of noises as Firework season here seems to go on for ages as they use them for almost every occasion including diwali, Guy Fawkes and New Year.
We then came back in to put the kettle on so I could have a cuppa and get his tea ready. He liked the smell and started to bark! Obviously a hungry puppy! Unfortunately we have to wait for it to cool down so we went in to the conservatory to play for a little time. He did keep going back to the kitchen for a bark towards his tea though! Looks like I did the right thing by lifting his bowl earlier even though he hadn't finished.
Rodders had been using an enamelled dish but at lunchtime he was a bit spooked when it moved and clanged a little. So tonights tea went in a proper dog bowl. He wolfed down half of it, moved away to burp (!) and then went back to it and had a bit more. He then wandered through the kitchen and back before having a bit more. An almost empty dish was lifted off the floor!
Back to the garden where I stood quietly to let him get on with it. He had a piddle to earn a puppy treat which he played with for a while - obviously not hungry after a big tea! We stayed out there with me still being quiet. He didn't make a sound when Bob and Pat next door went out. My patience paid off and he eventually pooped as well. More praise, more puppy treats :-)
We came in and played for a while. I turned my back on him when he got rough which seemed to work better. Rodders came in to the kitchen while I grabbed something to eat and made a cuppa. And then piddled on the floor :-( Ah well, so many successes today & the floor mops up OK!
Just before 7pm I came through to the lounge put his snuggle blanket at my feet and he has settled himself for a snooze.
Today is a much better day! I hope bedtime goes as well.
We then came back in to put the kettle on so I could have a cuppa and get his tea ready. He liked the smell and started to bark! Obviously a hungry puppy! Unfortunately we have to wait for it to cool down so we went in to the conservatory to play for a little time. He did keep going back to the kitchen for a bark towards his tea though! Looks like I did the right thing by lifting his bowl earlier even though he hadn't finished.
Rodders had been using an enamelled dish but at lunchtime he was a bit spooked when it moved and clanged a little. So tonights tea went in a proper dog bowl. He wolfed down half of it, moved away to burp (!) and then went back to it and had a bit more. He then wandered through the kitchen and back before having a bit more. An almost empty dish was lifted off the floor!
Back to the garden where I stood quietly to let him get on with it. He had a piddle to earn a puppy treat which he played with for a while - obviously not hungry after a big tea! We stayed out there with me still being quiet. He didn't make a sound when Bob and Pat next door went out. My patience paid off and he eventually pooped as well. More praise, more puppy treats :-)
We came in and played for a while. I turned my back on him when he got rough which seemed to work better. Rodders came in to the kitchen while I grabbed something to eat and made a cuppa. And then piddled on the floor :-( Ah well, so many successes today & the floor mops up OK!
Just before 7pm I came through to the lounge put his snuggle blanket at my feet and he has settled himself for a snooze.
Today is a much better day! I hope bedtime goes as well.
Playing
Rodders pottered about inside while I had my lunch and then we had a short play session until he lay down. I picked him up and carried him through to his snuggle blanket and after some gentle fuss he has curled up asleep at my feet again.
I think we are pacing ourselves better today, fingers crossed anyway!
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 night/Saturday morning
So Rodders slept at my feet from almost 7pm until about 10.45pm only getting up for a couple of piddles. It is obvious that we were both exhausted so at 10.55 I put him in his crate for the night.
He started to cry straight away but stopped as the upstairs light went out, yay I thought, we have cracked this! Oh how wrong can you be :-( Within a couple of minutes he was crying and yelping like he never had before and I really didn't know what to do.
I sent a text to OH and we were texting back and forwards for about 10 minutes as the noise went on. He was encouraging me to be strong and to ignore him for up to half an hour. As the noises changed I wasn't sure if I could do it. Rodders sounded so pitiful. He would quieten down for a moment and then start up again. He was trying so hard to draw me back downstairs, to try and prove that he was pack leader but I held out. After about 15 minutes it stopped and he had settled for the night. Not sure I would have managed without someone there to confirm I was doing the right thing. Thank you OH, I love you for that! And many other things of course :-)
I woke just before 7am to hear him crying and came down. He was very pleased to see me and had pooped in the crate which was a first. But he had been in there for 8 hours and he is only a little puppy. I made a cup of tea (I am not a morning person and don't function very well without tea!) and we went in to the conservatory to play. Rodders asked to go out after a few minutes so in to the garden we went. He did a piddle straight away to much praise and we came back in to a puppy treat :-)
I got his breakfast ready and then he played some more. I put his breakfast down once it had cooled enough he wolfed down about half of it before getting distracted. I left it on the floor for half an hour and he went back to it twice more. I then lifted it as I need him to understand that when food is there you eat it - I had been leaving it down earlier in the week when I was worried that he wasn't eating and drinking enough but the puppy book says this is a bad idea. If I lift it when he is done he will get used to feeding times and eat his fill in one go. Well, lets see how we get on with this!
He then managed to pee on the floor twice near the door so got put straight outside. It is much easier to clear up with him outside as he loves to chase the kitchen roll as I wipe the floor. He the did a piddle on the patio so more praise and treats.
Lots more playing, he seems to like chasing things and bringing them back for you to throw again, wonder if I can get him interested in a ball soon?
I carried him upstairs so that I could get washed and dressed and, as I have done for the last couple of days, I wandered about with him in my arms until I had everything and then put him on the bathroom floor. He wandered about sniffing and chewed the bathmat (also tried to wander off with my bra & got stopped fairly quickly) but generally allowed me to get dressed in peace.
We then came down in to the conservatory and played some more and he was getting a bit rough and biting me - I know he is teething & not trying to hurt me. No amount of swapping my hand for a toy would do. He asked to go out a few times and would play happily for a few minutes chasing and chewing leaves before coming back inside. We need to find a way for him to get back in as the step is a bit high and OH is working on that - Soon please if you are reading!!!!!
I needed to get Rodders to calm down a bit as I have learnt over the last few days that he can get over tired. I tried to settle him on his snuggle blanket on my knee but he wasn't interested so we had a bit more play time. I can distract him from things he shouldn't be chewing with a squeaky toy. He is still being a bit rough and biting me so I decided we should go for a wander with him in my arms.
Rodders wasn't sure about the noise Lillian's car was making as she stopped for a chat and was shaking a little but we persevered. When she went off we carried on our wander around the block and I talked to him the whole time, rubbish about the nice gardens or a hedge or a lamppost - I'm going to get known as the crazy woman that talks to a dog shortly! We saw a few more cars and vans and then we were almost home when Pom and Christopher came out the house and came to say hello. Rodders was shaking again and they asked if he was cold. No, just a bit nervous!
Christopher was just off to work apparently! I asked what he is doing and he is volunteering for Cancer Research UK, helping to sort out bags. What a great lad this young man is turning in to :-) Helps that he has lovely parents who have done a fantastic job with their two children :-)
We came back in the house and I put the snuggle blanket on my knee. Rodders very quickly settled down and I moved him on to the floor. He is currently asleep at my feet.
He started to cry straight away but stopped as the upstairs light went out, yay I thought, we have cracked this! Oh how wrong can you be :-( Within a couple of minutes he was crying and yelping like he never had before and I really didn't know what to do.
I sent a text to OH and we were texting back and forwards for about 10 minutes as the noise went on. He was encouraging me to be strong and to ignore him for up to half an hour. As the noises changed I wasn't sure if I could do it. Rodders sounded so pitiful. He would quieten down for a moment and then start up again. He was trying so hard to draw me back downstairs, to try and prove that he was pack leader but I held out. After about 15 minutes it stopped and he had settled for the night. Not sure I would have managed without someone there to confirm I was doing the right thing. Thank you OH, I love you for that! And many other things of course :-)
I woke just before 7am to hear him crying and came down. He was very pleased to see me and had pooped in the crate which was a first. But he had been in there for 8 hours and he is only a little puppy. I made a cup of tea (I am not a morning person and don't function very well without tea!) and we went in to the conservatory to play. Rodders asked to go out after a few minutes so in to the garden we went. He did a piddle straight away to much praise and we came back in to a puppy treat :-)
I got his breakfast ready and then he played some more. I put his breakfast down once it had cooled enough he wolfed down about half of it before getting distracted. I left it on the floor for half an hour and he went back to it twice more. I then lifted it as I need him to understand that when food is there you eat it - I had been leaving it down earlier in the week when I was worried that he wasn't eating and drinking enough but the puppy book says this is a bad idea. If I lift it when he is done he will get used to feeding times and eat his fill in one go. Well, lets see how we get on with this!
He then managed to pee on the floor twice near the door so got put straight outside. It is much easier to clear up with him outside as he loves to chase the kitchen roll as I wipe the floor. He the did a piddle on the patio so more praise and treats.
Lots more playing, he seems to like chasing things and bringing them back for you to throw again, wonder if I can get him interested in a ball soon?
I carried him upstairs so that I could get washed and dressed and, as I have done for the last couple of days, I wandered about with him in my arms until I had everything and then put him on the bathroom floor. He wandered about sniffing and chewed the bathmat (also tried to wander off with my bra & got stopped fairly quickly) but generally allowed me to get dressed in peace.
We then came down in to the conservatory and played some more and he was getting a bit rough and biting me - I know he is teething & not trying to hurt me. No amount of swapping my hand for a toy would do. He asked to go out a few times and would play happily for a few minutes chasing and chewing leaves before coming back inside. We need to find a way for him to get back in as the step is a bit high and OH is working on that - Soon please if you are reading!!!!!
I needed to get Rodders to calm down a bit as I have learnt over the last few days that he can get over tired. I tried to settle him on his snuggle blanket on my knee but he wasn't interested so we had a bit more play time. I can distract him from things he shouldn't be chewing with a squeaky toy. He is still being a bit rough and biting me so I decided we should go for a wander with him in my arms.
Rodders wasn't sure about the noise Lillian's car was making as she stopped for a chat and was shaking a little but we persevered. When she went off we carried on our wander around the block and I talked to him the whole time, rubbish about the nice gardens or a hedge or a lamppost - I'm going to get known as the crazy woman that talks to a dog shortly! We saw a few more cars and vans and then we were almost home when Pom and Christopher came out the house and came to say hello. Rodders was shaking again and they asked if he was cold. No, just a bit nervous!
Christopher was just off to work apparently! I asked what he is doing and he is volunteering for Cancer Research UK, helping to sort out bags. What a great lad this young man is turning in to :-) Helps that he has lovely parents who have done a fantastic job with their two children :-)
We came back in the house and I put the snuggle blanket on my knee. Rodders very quickly settled down and I moved him on to the floor. He is currently asleep at my feet.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Other things from the week
Rodders has now met the neighbours and seems to be well accepted.
He doesn't seem to be at all bothered by things like the post or paper's coming through the door or by the doorbell ringing.
Bringing up a puppy seems to be more tiring than a full time, stressful, job but I wouldn't swap Rodders for any amount of money.
I need eye's in the back of my head as he can go from chewing a toy to chewing my furniture in a split second.
He is definitely a Mummy's boy and will come straight back to me if he isn't sure of anyone new.
I have started investigating puppy training, dog walking services, holiday cover etc as I am going to need all of these.
He isn't keen on his collar yet but he did wear it for longer today and I was able to distract him by playing so that he didn't scratch constantly.
I have booked in to a grooming workshop for mid November. I am sure that it will be good socialisation for Rodders with other dogs there and I hope that it will save me money longer term if I can groom him myself - we have a puppy brush and are doing the basics for now!
The vet mentioned that Rodders has one testicle that hasn't yet descended properly & they will keep any eye on it. If it doesn't come down it will be even more important to get him castrated (eeeek) as they can turn cancerous (double eeeeek).
We also talked about micro chipping him, I know I want this done as it will keep him safe should he ever get out. He is a bit small for now though :-(
He doesn't seem to be at all bothered by things like the post or paper's coming through the door or by the doorbell ringing.
Bringing up a puppy seems to be more tiring than a full time, stressful, job but I wouldn't swap Rodders for any amount of money.
I need eye's in the back of my head as he can go from chewing a toy to chewing my furniture in a split second.
He is definitely a Mummy's boy and will come straight back to me if he isn't sure of anyone new.
I have started investigating puppy training, dog walking services, holiday cover etc as I am going to need all of these.
He isn't keen on his collar yet but he did wear it for longer today and I was able to distract him by playing so that he didn't scratch constantly.
I have booked in to a grooming workshop for mid November. I am sure that it will be good socialisation for Rodders with other dogs there and I hope that it will save me money longer term if I can groom him myself - we have a puppy brush and are doing the basics for now!
The vet mentioned that Rodders has one testicle that hasn't yet descended properly & they will keep any eye on it. If it doesn't come down it will be even more important to get him castrated (eeeek) as they can turn cancerous (double eeeeek).
We also talked about micro chipping him, I know I want this done as it will keep him safe should he ever get out. He is a bit small for now though :-(
Up to date, now blogging in realtime!
I knew that we were getting visitors today so I wanted to try and pace Rodders a bit better. We got up and had breakfast and a bit of play. We also went to put the bin out as it is a strange noise and then we stood on the doorstep when the bin men collected so that he could hear the noise they make and hear the lorry. I then put him on my knee on his snuggle blanket and got him calm and dopey. Once he falls asleep I can put him and the blanket on the floor and he is happy there as long as I don't move too far.
My sister Kirsty and her friend Gill arrived and Rodders was a bit shy to start with and wanted me close. After a while he got braver, especially once Gill opened the puppy treats she brought him! They got to see him playing with his toys, peeing on his paper, dashing around the garden like a loony and sitting quietly with me. (They did also see him peeing on the floor so it wasn't all good).
When we sat at the table for lunch he asked to go out and played happily in the garden while we ate. He was always in sight and seemed to be having a great time.
After they left I got him to settle down for a nap for an hour but he seemed to be hyper when he woke up. We played inside and out but he wasn't calming down so I decided to take him for a walk (in my arms) around the corner to a slightly busier road to get him used to some different noises and places. When he seemed frightened I stopped walking and talked gently to him until he calmed down. We saw cars, vans and a couple of noisy children before reaching my local garage. We went in to see James and get a bit of a fuss before heading home again.
We got stopped at the corner by our neighbours Sue and Sophie who hadn't yet met Rodders. he seemed to like the fuss and we may have ourselves a puppy walker if I need to go back to work :-)
Got in and Rodders was still hyper. We tried playing but he was getting rough and nipping me rather than his chew toys. I have tried yelping like his litter mates do and, although it has worked in the past, it didn't today. I tried getting him to settle on my knee with the snuggle blanket but he wasn't having any of it. I tried wearing him out in the garden. I tried distraction. I tried squeaky toys. He wanted to pee and poo on the floor and he wanted to chew my rug. Eventually I had to resort to putting him in his crate for 5 minutes while I took the rug up and loaded the dishwasher. He wasn't happy about it and cried, whined, pulled at the puppy pad, stood in his water bowl (now a heavier one he can't move) and tried to climb up the side of the crate. When he was quieter (and me too!) I let him out. He was calmer, but still a little manic.
And then just before 7pm this evening he flopped on his snuggle blanket and he is still there. I suspect that he won't want supper again tonight.
He has woken a couple of times so far when I went to make a drink. Once he peed on the floor and the second time he went on the paper with a bit of encouragement. It is soooo much easier when he is dopey rather than hyper though!
My sister Kirsty and her friend Gill arrived and Rodders was a bit shy to start with and wanted me close. After a while he got braver, especially once Gill opened the puppy treats she brought him! They got to see him playing with his toys, peeing on his paper, dashing around the garden like a loony and sitting quietly with me. (They did also see him peeing on the floor so it wasn't all good).
When we sat at the table for lunch he asked to go out and played happily in the garden while we ate. He was always in sight and seemed to be having a great time.
After they left I got him to settle down for a nap for an hour but he seemed to be hyper when he woke up. We played inside and out but he wasn't calming down so I decided to take him for a walk (in my arms) around the corner to a slightly busier road to get him used to some different noises and places. When he seemed frightened I stopped walking and talked gently to him until he calmed down. We saw cars, vans and a couple of noisy children before reaching my local garage. We went in to see James and get a bit of a fuss before heading home again.
We got stopped at the corner by our neighbours Sue and Sophie who hadn't yet met Rodders. he seemed to like the fuss and we may have ourselves a puppy walker if I need to go back to work :-)
Got in and Rodders was still hyper. We tried playing but he was getting rough and nipping me rather than his chew toys. I have tried yelping like his litter mates do and, although it has worked in the past, it didn't today. I tried getting him to settle on my knee with the snuggle blanket but he wasn't having any of it. I tried wearing him out in the garden. I tried distraction. I tried squeaky toys. He wanted to pee and poo on the floor and he wanted to chew my rug. Eventually I had to resort to putting him in his crate for 5 minutes while I took the rug up and loaded the dishwasher. He wasn't happy about it and cried, whined, pulled at the puppy pad, stood in his water bowl (now a heavier one he can't move) and tried to climb up the side of the crate. When he was quieter (and me too!) I let him out. He was calmer, but still a little manic.
And then just before 7pm this evening he flopped on his snuggle blanket and he is still there. I suspect that he won't want supper again tonight.
He has woken a couple of times so far when I went to make a drink. Once he peed on the floor and the second time he went on the paper with a bit of encouragement. It is soooo much easier when he is dopey rather than hyper though!
A tricky day
I had to get ready for an interview this morning which meant a shower. I carried Rodders upstairs with me and put him on the floor with a toy while I showered. Our Shower Door makes a clunking sound as it opens and closes and Rodders didn't seem happy with that or being apart from me so he was making a fair bit of noise. I talked to him the whole time and he seemed to calm down but when I got out the shower I spotted a puddle on the floor. I didn't make a fuss, just cleaned it up.
I decided trying to dry my hair may be a step too far so let in dry au naturelle - thank goodness it looks half decent this way. I have also worked out that if I wander about upstairs gathering my clothes while holding Rodders he seemed to be happy to stay in the bathroom with me while I got dressed.
When it was time for me to leave for the interview I put Rodders in to his crate. This is only the second time I have left him and he was crying as I left the house which made me feel awful. Interview over I made a dash to Tesco for more kitchen towel (wonder why I need this!) and some vegetables for soup so I was away for just over 2 hours.
Rodders was thrilled to see me but had obviously been very frightened while I was away and had up ended the water, dragged the snuggle blanket and the bed pad out of his bed and all was in disarray. I gave him lots of fuss and sorted the bed out - bed pads and snuggle blankets dry on the line outside so it was no bother really! Just sad that he missed me so much.
We played inside and outside and ate our usual meals - this now seems to be missing supper!
OH called in for a cuppa on his way past. Rodders remembers him which is brill but was being a little horror and thought laces and a £500 suit trouser leg was far more fun than his toys.
He didn't flop until 9pm tonight but wasn't interested in having anything to eat at all. I popped him in to his crate at bedtime with some trepidation after the incident earlier, but I needn't have worried, he cried for 2 minutes and then settled down for the night.
I decided trying to dry my hair may be a step too far so let in dry au naturelle - thank goodness it looks half decent this way. I have also worked out that if I wander about upstairs gathering my clothes while holding Rodders he seemed to be happy to stay in the bathroom with me while I got dressed.
When it was time for me to leave for the interview I put Rodders in to his crate. This is only the second time I have left him and he was crying as I left the house which made me feel awful. Interview over I made a dash to Tesco for more kitchen towel (wonder why I need this!) and some vegetables for soup so I was away for just over 2 hours.
Rodders was thrilled to see me but had obviously been very frightened while I was away and had up ended the water, dragged the snuggle blanket and the bed pad out of his bed and all was in disarray. I gave him lots of fuss and sorted the bed out - bed pads and snuggle blankets dry on the line outside so it was no bother really! Just sad that he missed me so much.
We played inside and outside and ate our usual meals - this now seems to be missing supper!
OH called in for a cuppa on his way past. Rodders remembers him which is brill but was being a little horror and thought laces and a £500 suit trouser leg was far more fun than his toys.
He didn't flop until 9pm tonight but wasn't interested in having anything to eat at all. I popped him in to his crate at bedtime with some trepidation after the incident earlier, but I needn't have worried, he cried for 2 minutes and then settled down for the night.
I'm a bad Mummy :-(
Rodders still doesn't seem to be drinking much but I have carried on making his meals fairly wet. He has also stopped using the paper indoors and it is becoming a bit of a battle of wills - I am sure that part of it is because it is so much fun chasing me mopping it up with the kitchen roll.
There has been lots of playing in the garden today, 3 times in total, and he just loves it!
I spoke to the breeder today and mentioned that he isn't finishing his meals. She has found the same with the 2 puppies she has kept and has cut down their portion sizes too. Phew, it isn't me doing something wrong then!
So Rodders ate breakfast, lunch and a bit of his tea. And then he flopped at 6pm. Nothing could wake him much and he was very dopey when I tried and just went back to his snuggle blanket to sleep. Even when a friend called in, he was a bit off, woke to say hello and hide behind me and went back to sleep as soon as possible. By 10pm I was really panicking as I couldn't get him to eat supper so I rang OH. He managed to calm me down and pointed out that he was exhausted after all that playing in the garden and maybe I need to pace him better. He also pointed out that he couldn't be starving or he would have eaten, especially after all that running around.
I put him in to his crate and went to bed. 5 minutes of crying and he was asleep again, I wasn't far behind him!
There has been lots of playing in the garden today, 3 times in total, and he just loves it!
I spoke to the breeder today and mentioned that he isn't finishing his meals. She has found the same with the 2 puppies she has kept and has cut down their portion sizes too. Phew, it isn't me doing something wrong then!
So Rodders ate breakfast, lunch and a bit of his tea. And then he flopped at 6pm. Nothing could wake him much and he was very dopey when I tried and just went back to his snuggle blanket to sleep. Even when a friend called in, he was a bit off, woke to say hello and hide behind me and went back to sleep as soon as possible. By 10pm I was really panicking as I couldn't get him to eat supper so I rang OH. He managed to calm me down and pointed out that he was exhausted after all that playing in the garden and maybe I need to pace him better. He also pointed out that he couldn't be starving or he would have eaten, especially after all that running around.
I put him in to his crate and went to bed. 5 minutes of crying and he was asleep again, I wasn't far behind him!
We found the garden!
We had another early start as OH was out the house at 6am. Rodders and I played for a while after breakfast and we had the usual peeing and pooping - but all of a sudden he doesn't seem to keen on the paper :-(
Having taken Rodders out on to the patio a couple of times he really didn't seem to like it and I was worried that he would not like being outside. Maybe it was just the stiff breeze we had for the last couple of days because today when we went out he loved it!!!! He ran around chasing me up and down and stopped to pee and poo, I thought we had cracked it. He made lots of noise too and found his voice, which made me laugh - not sure it will in the future if he turns in to a barker, but today I am happy to hear him.
Tuesday evening
My niece, Lisa, had asked if she could come to meet her new cousin (!) and so while OH entertained Rodders I finished off dinner.
Rodders was a bit worn out to be honest and not at his best by the time she arrived and was being a real wuss, hiding behind me and chasing me wherever I went. But Lisa, being the ace photographer she is, managed to get the best photo of him so far.
He slept at my feet as we had dinner, as he did the night before. Once Lisa left we had a fairly quiet evening and Rodders went in to his crate at bedtime and only cried for 5 minutes - that's 20 minutes in total so far this week which I count as a result!
Rodders was a bit worn out to be honest and not at his best by the time she arrived and was being a real wuss, hiding behind me and chasing me wherever I went. But Lisa, being the ace photographer she is, managed to get the best photo of him so far.
The rest of Tuesday day time
The rest of the afternoon was spent in the usual frenzy of eating, sleeping, playing, peeing & pooing. We had also decided that he likes chewing the rug and no amount of distraction was going to take him away from it.
OH arrived home from work early and so we took the opportunity to take the huuuuge crate back to Titmuss as we can fit Rodders car crate and that in his car. Again Rodders was brilliant in the car, which makes me very happy. He also seemed to quite enjoy his time wandering around the shop in mine or OH's arms - or at least he did until a couple of excited children appeared. Not a surprise really as he hadn't encountered children before, and boy were they noisy! Some gentle talking to and he settled back down before being popped back in the car crate for the journey home.
First visit to the vets :-(
Our second morning was another early start to see OH off to work. After breakfast, a bit of a play, more peeing and pooping (still on the paper with the odd accident if he is too excited playing) I carried Rodders upstairs so I could get washed and dressed. He was happy to investigate the bathroom but didn't like it when I left to go & grab something from the bedroom.
Our first appointment at the vets was at 10.15 so I carried him out to the car and put him in his crate. Again he was quiet but did give a little whimper. I carried on talking to him as I drove and that was the only sound out of him but he was happy to come out of his crate when we got there.
I walked in the door to be greated by one of the veterinary nurses. She took him straight off me for a cuddle and walked about introducing him to everyone while I filled in the forms. He wasn't too sure at first so kept his eyes on me. I just carried on talking gently to him so that he knew I was there and tried to make him understand that it was going to be OK.
Once the forms were filled in he was handed back to me until the vet was ready for us. She was lovely and very gentle with him. I explained my concerns about him not drinking much so he was given a thorough going over. Nothing obvious was found, temperature and heart all OK, doesn't seem to be dehydrated (my major concern) and so we could go ahead and give him his first jab. Again, my amazing puppy was brilliant! He didn't even whimper!
We were given a puppy pack which contained all sorts of information including dog training, kennels, groomers, emergency vet, the vet surgery newsletter and a free pack of a different food for him to try - with instructions that we should introduce it gradually if we wanted to try it.
Back in to the crate and home.
Our first appointment at the vets was at 10.15 so I carried him out to the car and put him in his crate. Again he was quiet but did give a little whimper. I carried on talking to him as I drove and that was the only sound out of him but he was happy to come out of his crate when we got there.
I walked in the door to be greated by one of the veterinary nurses. She took him straight off me for a cuddle and walked about introducing him to everyone while I filled in the forms. He wasn't too sure at first so kept his eyes on me. I just carried on talking gently to him so that he knew I was there and tried to make him understand that it was going to be OK.
Once the forms were filled in he was handed back to me until the vet was ready for us. She was lovely and very gentle with him. I explained my concerns about him not drinking much so he was given a thorough going over. Nothing obvious was found, temperature and heart all OK, doesn't seem to be dehydrated (my major concern) and so we could go ahead and give him his first jab. Again, my amazing puppy was brilliant! He didn't even whimper!
We were given a puppy pack which contained all sorts of information including dog training, kennels, groomers, emergency vet, the vet surgery newsletter and a free pack of a different food for him to try - with instructions that we should introduce it gradually if we wanted to try it.
Back in to the crate and home.
Our first full day
So OH seen off to work and breakfast eaten we carried on playing and resting, biting and chewing toys and me.
Rodders seemed to have a problem with thresholds and wasn't too keen on me going in to the kitchen or conservatory so I needed to work on this a bit. Sitting on the floor at the far end of the kitchen, tapping with my fingers and calling "Rodders" seemed to work and he would come to me for a fuss. As soon as the fuss stopped he ran back to the door again.
I have to eat and drink so he was going to have to get used to me being in the kitchen. It is such a fine line between socialising him and frightening him and I want to make sure that I get it right so we are going slowly for now. Each new experience for him is a huge thing for a little puppy.
We went and sat on the patio for a few minutes but he didn't seem to keen on the breeze so we came back in.
I gave him a puppy treat today but he wasn't sure what to do with it and just played with it on the floor.
He is happy to follow me about as I potter about the house, but still not keen on joining me in the kitchen. He sits at the door so that I am in sight and will venture in for a fuss but still beats a hasty retreat. I did manage to cook dinner in time for OH coming home but it was a struggle - what have I been doing all day? We decided to shower in shifts so that someone was always with Rodders. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the usual household noises of the TV, kettle, dishwasher, running taps, stereo, doorbell but he isn't very keen on me clattering about with pans or tin foil & isn't too sure about me blowing my nose.
Rodders is still eating OK but I am concerned that he isn't drinking so much. To counteract this I started to up the liquid with his feed and that seemed to work.
The new crate got delivered today so when OH got in from work he opened the box and built it for us. Once in place, under the end of the Dining Table and in view of the kitchen, I moved his water bowl in to there with his bed, bed pad, snuggly fleece (we have a few of these so he has one on the floor, one in the car crate, one in the house crate and a spare in case one needs washing).
Rodders still isn't drinking much and we wondered if it was the bowl as it has a picture in the bottom, swapped it for another one and he seemed happier with that.
He carried on playing with me and OH through the evening without too much of a break and was ready for bed. He still cried but only for 5 minutes.
Rodders seemed to have a problem with thresholds and wasn't too keen on me going in to the kitchen or conservatory so I needed to work on this a bit. Sitting on the floor at the far end of the kitchen, tapping with my fingers and calling "Rodders" seemed to work and he would come to me for a fuss. As soon as the fuss stopped he ran back to the door again.
I have to eat and drink so he was going to have to get used to me being in the kitchen. It is such a fine line between socialising him and frightening him and I want to make sure that I get it right so we are going slowly for now. Each new experience for him is a huge thing for a little puppy.
We went and sat on the patio for a few minutes but he didn't seem to keen on the breeze so we came back in.
I gave him a puppy treat today but he wasn't sure what to do with it and just played with it on the floor.
He is happy to follow me about as I potter about the house, but still not keen on joining me in the kitchen. He sits at the door so that I am in sight and will venture in for a fuss but still beats a hasty retreat. I did manage to cook dinner in time for OH coming home but it was a struggle - what have I been doing all day? We decided to shower in shifts so that someone was always with Rodders. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the usual household noises of the TV, kettle, dishwasher, running taps, stereo, doorbell but he isn't very keen on me clattering about with pans or tin foil & isn't too sure about me blowing my nose.
Rodders is still eating OK but I am concerned that he isn't drinking so much. To counteract this I started to up the liquid with his feed and that seemed to work.
The new crate got delivered today so when OH got in from work he opened the box and built it for us. Once in place, under the end of the Dining Table and in view of the kitchen, I moved his water bowl in to there with his bed, bed pad, snuggly fleece (we have a few of these so he has one on the floor, one in the car crate, one in the house crate and a spare in case one needs washing).
Rodders still isn't drinking much and we wondered if it was the bowl as it has a picture in the bottom, swapped it for another one and he seemed happier with that.
He carried on playing with me and OH through the evening without too much of a break and was ready for bed. He still cried but only for 5 minutes.
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.
Meeting someone new
It took Rodders a little while, and some encouragement from me, but he moved forward and had a bit of a sniff, then he gave a little lick. And then another and it would seem that OH was accepted :-) He was allowed to hold him while I ate a much deserved plate of spaghetti on toast (first thing I had eaten all day!) but Rodders didn't take his eyes off me and was very happy to come back to me when I had finished.
Rodders spent the rest of the evening adventuring and playing as well as eating, peeing & pooping. I was so relieved to see him settle in!
The first few hours
I sat on the floor, with him on my knee, stroking him and talking gently to him. And here we sat for the next 2 hours, by which stage I had a numb bum and my 51 year old bones were getting a bit creaky. But it was important to spend this time with him and make sure that he felt safe with me. Having spent most of the day in the car I was desperate for the loo so I had to take him up to the bathroom with me and attempt to perform this task one handed - not easy when you are wearing jeans! He was happy in my arms while I made a cuppa too.
Very gradually he let me move him from on top of me to by my side and then slowly he started to get brave and start to sniff the new surroundings. He found out where the water bowl was, the place to pee and poop (thankfully the breeder had paper trained him well) and started to get interested in his toys. I did have to leave him for 2 minutes as I made a dash to the car to bring in his crate which was going to house him until the new, smaller one, arrived. He survived without me but seemed a bit scared.
He tried so hard to sit and look around, but I have laminate floors and his bum just kept sliding and he spent most of the time lying, even when he didn't want too!
He was getting used to the sights and sounds as I put the TV on and then the phone rang. As long as he was close to me he seemed to find these new sounds and experiences OK. When he was a little freaked out by them I talked quiet;y and calmly to him to get us through it.
The journey home
So Rodders is tucked up in the back of the car in his crate and I start the 2+ hour journey home. There is not a peep out of him! How amazing is that :-)
Just before I reached the A1 I pulled over and opened the hatchback just to check on him and have a quiet word to comfort him. He was snuggled under his fleece and was a bit scared when I lifted it. But still not a peep!
Got back in and drove on for another 40 minutes before pulling off again. He was still snuggled under his fleece but happier to see me. Still not a peep, this is incredible! But I am basing it on my sister's Westie who hates being in the car :-(
Just to make it more emotional for me two songs came on that remind me of my Mum - Daydream Believer by the Monkeys and Highland Cathedral.
40 minutes later I pulled up outside the house and opened the hatchback and he crept out from under the fleece as though he knew we were home, I was one happy bunny as I picked him up out of the crate to take him in to the house for the first time! What would he make of it?
Just before I reached the A1 I pulled over and opened the hatchback just to check on him and have a quiet word to comfort him. He was snuggled under his fleece and was a bit scared when I lifted it. But still not a peep!
Got back in and drove on for another 40 minutes before pulling off again. He was still snuggled under his fleece but happier to see me. Still not a peep, this is incredible! But I am basing it on my sister's Westie who hates being in the car :-(
Just to make it more emotional for me two songs came on that remind me of my Mum - Daydream Believer by the Monkeys and Highland Cathedral.
40 minutes later I pulled up outside the house and opened the hatchback and he crept out from under the fleece as though he knew we were home, I was one happy bunny as I picked him up out of the crate to take him in to the house for the first time! What would he make of it?
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