Today's lesson courtesy of Millie:
When left in your play pen for the day, newspaper makes a fun and tasty snack. Especially if you pee on it first. Simply ignore all of those toys Mom left for you that she intended you to chew on. Then, when she leaves for the day, begin shredding the paper to make it easier to digest. Yum, enjoy!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Millie the Stealth Bomber
Tonight, my husband and I decided to take Millie on her first walk around the neighborhood. I felt that after being home all day alone, she was ready to try her leash out not only for exercise and a potty break, but to expand her little puppy horizons. So we put her in her little puppy harness, and Banjo on his big boy leash.
We began our walk, and Banjo, the amazingly good boy that he is, goes right off to do his business. Of course, we could only hope that Millie might learn from her big brother. Wishful thinking. The stimulation from the walk must have been too much because Millie would stop every 10 feet or so, sit down, perk her ears up and look around, taking it all in.
When the walk was over, she hadn't completed her business, so we came in for a couple minutes to take a break and let her little brain calm down some to allow her to focus on the task at hand. Not minutes after we came inside, Millie runs to the corner of the room and proceeds to poop just out of our sight. Lesson learned? Never take your eyes off a puppy who needs to poop, not even for 10 seconds. She will find a dimly lit corner and drop a stealth bomb on you.
We began our walk, and Banjo, the amazingly good boy that he is, goes right off to do his business. Of course, we could only hope that Millie might learn from her big brother. Wishful thinking. The stimulation from the walk must have been too much because Millie would stop every 10 feet or so, sit down, perk her ears up and look around, taking it all in.
When the walk was over, she hadn't completed her business, so we came in for a couple minutes to take a break and let her little brain calm down some to allow her to focus on the task at hand. Not minutes after we came inside, Millie runs to the corner of the room and proceeds to poop just out of our sight. Lesson learned? Never take your eyes off a puppy who needs to poop, not even for 10 seconds. She will find a dimly lit corner and drop a stealth bomb on you.
Potty Break Avoidance, courtesy of Millie.
Today's lesson courtesy of Millie:
Pee in your play pen right before Mom comes home (just listen for the car doors slamming and the key in the door). That way, when she comes in the door, you don't have to waste your time with that whole no-fun potty break outside and you can get straight to playing fetch.
** This tends to upset Mom, so make sure you show off your puppy eyes and give tons of kisses when she finally picks you up.
Pee in your play pen right before Mom comes home (just listen for the car doors slamming and the key in the door). That way, when she comes in the door, you don't have to waste your time with that whole no-fun potty break outside and you can get straight to playing fetch.
** This tends to upset Mom, so make sure you show off your puppy eyes and give tons of kisses when she finally picks you up.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Millie Leads the Charge
Our little Millie has really come into her own. When she was born, she was a quiet, reserved little girl. She was barely born in the first place. Upside down with no heartbeat in the birth canal, the vet told us she would be still born. But when the vet returned, she told us she didn't know how it was possible, but here was the fifth and final puppy, our little Millie, very much alive.
Since she has grown large enough, her Mama, Miss Delaney has begun to toughen her up, always picking her out of the litter to pick on and fight back. It was confidence boot camp. Before, Millie would sit back quietly and observe the rest of the crew while they played and barked. But Delaney decided that she needed to be a little tougher, and now after weeks of her Mom's influence, Millie is the loudest, feistiest puppy in the bunch. I guess when you have stared death in the face and get a second chance, you don't take it for granted. Millie barely made it into the world, and now makes every moment a party. She barks, she chews, she poops and pees. She lives in the moment.
Like yesterday, we were staying with our parents where Millie's mom Delaney and sister Penny live. While running around outside in the front yard, Millie and Penny run off up the driveway with my husband in hot pursuit. Right up the driveway a bit is a wrought iron gate that they proceeded to bound straight through. That's when I hear "oh no!!!" and arrive just in time to see my husband pulling a soaking wet Penny out of the front fountain. But not until after he pulled the ring leader, Millie, out first. What I wouldn't give to have witnessed her carefree leap right into water up to her ears.
I've never met a shih tzu that likes water. Millie just loves life. Including water.
Since she has grown large enough, her Mama, Miss Delaney has begun to toughen her up, always picking her out of the litter to pick on and fight back. It was confidence boot camp. Before, Millie would sit back quietly and observe the rest of the crew while they played and barked. But Delaney decided that she needed to be a little tougher, and now after weeks of her Mom's influence, Millie is the loudest, feistiest puppy in the bunch. I guess when you have stared death in the face and get a second chance, you don't take it for granted. Millie barely made it into the world, and now makes every moment a party. She barks, she chews, she poops and pees. She lives in the moment.
Like yesterday, we were staying with our parents where Millie's mom Delaney and sister Penny live. While running around outside in the front yard, Millie and Penny run off up the driveway with my husband in hot pursuit. Right up the driveway a bit is a wrought iron gate that they proceeded to bound straight through. That's when I hear "oh no!!!" and arrive just in time to see my husband pulling a soaking wet Penny out of the front fountain. But not until after he pulled the ring leader, Millie, out first. What I wouldn't give to have witnessed her carefree leap right into water up to her ears.
I've never met a shih tzu that likes water. Millie just loves life. Including water.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude
Here's the Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude I mentioned. If you have a dog that is determined, this is a fantastic item. Millie gives up a little too easily when there is a tiny treat inside because she has such a little tongue and can't really get the treat out. When I fill it with a little peanut butter inside and freeze it, she loves it. I would simply suggest putting the peanut butter deeper into the Squirrel Dude to keep your dog reaching for the peanut butter. If it's just on the inside rim, they devour it too quickly. It's just too easy for them. Make it a challenge to get the treat, but it has to be a challenge they can actually do or else there's no reward for playing!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Stop the Chewing.
Millie has now been with us for 13 days. And one thing she has begun to enjoy as she has become more confident in our home is chewing. Anything and absolutely everything. She loves to chew the coffee table, our shoes, her baby gates, her crate, the carpet, and especially books. She just looooves books. Nevermind that she has her very own toy basket full of interesting squeaky and otherwise noisy and curious goodies. Thus far, her own toys have been able to hold her interest for no longer than 5 or 6 minutes.
So I decided to do some reading up on what to do about curbing the chewing. I visited the local SPCA website, which happens to be one of the best in the nation. The have an entire list of resources for new pet owners, including this brochure on how to handle puppy chewing.
In short, here are the steps to having a no-chew puppy:
1. Puppy proof your house. i.e. Don't leave items on the floor that you don't want chewed. Well of course, with carpets being one of Millie's favorite teething items, this wasn't too much of an option. Same goes for the couch and the coffee table. We have moved other items such as shoes and books, but if one gets left behind, there's just no stopping her.
2. If you catch your puppy in the act of chewing, distract them with a loud noise and offer an acceptable chew toy. Also, this makes sense in theory. The attention span of a puppy is so short that if you can just offer up something more interesting, they will forget all about the undesirable chew item (well, undesirable to us / very highly desirable to them). Unfortunately, Millie is not at all distracted or otherwise bothered by loud noises. This is great when you consider she doesn't scare during thunderstorms or other potentially stressful situations. Not as great when you can't get her attention to save your life.
3. Closely supervise your puppy. This method, though exhausting, works. Except when your four pound dog crawls under the couch to chew on something she shouldn't.
4. When you're away, confine your puppy to a small area such as a crate or laundry room. Well, Millie loves to chew her crate. Should we allow her to chew it or does that send mixed signals?
5. Give your puppy plenty of exercise. A very good method, however, can be very difficult if you work full-time. It's can be hard to find enough time to tire a small puppy, between fixing dinner with her under foot and trying to unwind. It is so effective, though, that setting aside enough time to play, play, play is so important! It not only stops the chewing, but it stops other unwanted behaviors as well, such as barking and whining.
6. Obedience class. I've never tried this one. Perhaps a last resort.
7. Rotate toys. This is supposed to keep their attention longer so they don't bore quickly. It probably works better for a slightly older puppy, because the attention span of a 12-week old is next to nil anyways.
8. Try a frozen toy to soothe teething puppy gums. I recently purchased a little teething toy at PetSmart that you soak and freeze. Millie thus far has shown about thirty seconds of interest in it.
9. Stuff a toy with food. We bought Millie a Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude. When we stuff a treat up inside, she gives up very easily on it. What did work was putting peanutbutter right inside the opening and freezing it. Turns out this only takes her tiny little mouth 2 minutes to completely destroy and then her interest fades. I think we may try the Kong Wobbler that you can buy "Stuff-N Paste" in various flavors. Perhaps it will keep her occupied longer.
But I'd like to add my own chew-stopping method to this list. Dentley's Peanutbutter Rawhide Chips. Millie absolutely LOVES these and she will chew for hours, or until I take it away from her. Or until she passes out from chewing exhaustion!
So I decided to do some reading up on what to do about curbing the chewing. I visited the local SPCA website, which happens to be one of the best in the nation. The have an entire list of resources for new pet owners, including this brochure on how to handle puppy chewing.
In short, here are the steps to having a no-chew puppy:
1. Puppy proof your house. i.e. Don't leave items on the floor that you don't want chewed. Well of course, with carpets being one of Millie's favorite teething items, this wasn't too much of an option. Same goes for the couch and the coffee table. We have moved other items such as shoes and books, but if one gets left behind, there's just no stopping her.
2. If you catch your puppy in the act of chewing, distract them with a loud noise and offer an acceptable chew toy. Also, this makes sense in theory. The attention span of a puppy is so short that if you can just offer up something more interesting, they will forget all about the undesirable chew item (well, undesirable to us / very highly desirable to them). Unfortunately, Millie is not at all distracted or otherwise bothered by loud noises. This is great when you consider she doesn't scare during thunderstorms or other potentially stressful situations. Not as great when you can't get her attention to save your life.
3. Closely supervise your puppy. This method, though exhausting, works. Except when your four pound dog crawls under the couch to chew on something she shouldn't.
4. When you're away, confine your puppy to a small area such as a crate or laundry room. Well, Millie loves to chew her crate. Should we allow her to chew it or does that send mixed signals?
5. Give your puppy plenty of exercise. A very good method, however, can be very difficult if you work full-time. It's can be hard to find enough time to tire a small puppy, between fixing dinner with her under foot and trying to unwind. It is so effective, though, that setting aside enough time to play, play, play is so important! It not only stops the chewing, but it stops other unwanted behaviors as well, such as barking and whining.
6. Obedience class. I've never tried this one. Perhaps a last resort.
7. Rotate toys. This is supposed to keep their attention longer so they don't bore quickly. It probably works better for a slightly older puppy, because the attention span of a 12-week old is next to nil anyways.
8. Try a frozen toy to soothe teething puppy gums. I recently purchased a little teething toy at PetSmart that you soak and freeze. Millie thus far has shown about thirty seconds of interest in it.
9. Stuff a toy with food. We bought Millie a Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude. When we stuff a treat up inside, she gives up very easily on it. What did work was putting peanutbutter right inside the opening and freezing it. Turns out this only takes her tiny little mouth 2 minutes to completely destroy and then her interest fades. I think we may try the Kong Wobbler that you can buy "Stuff-N Paste" in various flavors. Perhaps it will keep her occupied longer.
But I'd like to add my own chew-stopping method to this list. Dentley's Peanutbutter Rawhide Chips. Millie absolutely LOVES these and she will chew for hours, or until I take it away from her. Or until she passes out from chewing exhaustion!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Little Miss Pee Pee Pants
How does so much pee come from a 4 pound dog? And how does she always inevitably pee on our brand new carpet right after I've taken her on a walk where she refuses to pee?
Day 2 with Millie
Day 2 with Millie at home. She's a very... confident... little dog.
Crazy Shih Tzu from Layne Wilson on Vimeo.
Crazy Shih Tzu from Layne Wilson on Vimeo.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Puppies are Hard
When training a puppy, you are not supposed to acknowledge behavior that you don’t like, and you reward the behavior you do like. What I’d like to know then is how do I take Millie out to pee when she is barking in her crate? If she is barking, I’m supposed to ignore her (i.e. and the behavior I dislike). But if she has to pee and I ignore her, then she pees in her crate. And to me that is a no-win situation. Puppies are hard.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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