Two Pups

An event to event account of a life with two new puppies.

[twopups]

You Need This

So there's this thing called a bark collar. 

Champ barks at anyone and anything. So we bought this thing that goes around his neck and sprays him with citronella the second he makes too much noise. Some may call it animal abuse, I call it awesome.

The only issues:

getting it on him. he's fast. and definitely doesn't like the thing. it's quite an entertaining chase.

sometimes he's perfectly innocent and his brother's bark sets it off. then I just feel bad

So, if your dog barks, get one. If you have two dogs, get TWO so one doesn't get to bark while the other doesn't.

(I still need to do that)

[twopups]

The Synopsis

As I failed to give a report the other day, I'll fill you in on the update from the Puppy Sitter.

Well, she couldn't answer her phone earlier because she was looking for one of the dogs that had run away. Not our pups; one of the other ones.

She finally found the dog, brought her home, and gave her a bath.

She also went to Home Depot for some supplies during the day.

And her phone has been acting up recently. Her old phone did that too. The screen would wouldn't work but she could still answer calls and texts and yada, yada, yada.

So after about an hour or so of ramble...

Our dogs are fine. They had another accident and managed to chew up one of the many things lying about the house, but they're just fine. They seem unbothered by the cat and get along well with the other dogs.

All good news' it just took a while to get the answer.

[twopups]

Puppy Sitter

So my family and I left this morning for a week-long vacation and left the pups with a sitter (who was recommended to us by a friend). 

My sis and I accompanied my mom for the epic farewell and I'd just like to give a report on the event.

So here goes:

The woman lives in a townhouse consisting of four, small, hard-wooded levels.

There are, like, four other dogs living at this house (strays she's taken in as well as her own dogs) along with a cat. My pups are, like, 20 lbs and these other dogs are like husky-size.

So when we first got there, we let the pups explore the whole house and they went nuts with sniffing. Meanwhile, these other big dogs were barking from the back door, begging to get in and check out the latest intruders. The lady assured us she would introduce the dogs gradually and if any little tiff occurred she would blow her whistle and break it up (she then demonstrated by blowing the obnoxious thing).

I won't comment on how many little knick knacks are lying around the house that my pups are bound to destroy by the time we return, but I'll let her deal with all of that.

Did I mention she plans to walk all these dogs by herself? Here's the picture: 50-something, tiny lady with 4 big dogs and our not-quite-trained pups all pulling her along. I wish I could be there to witness that one.

Anyways, just before we left, both pups peed generously all over her hardwoods before stepping in the puddles and following us down to the front door to see us out. We said good-bye, assured her she could call us at any time with concerns...then departed.

My mom is currently on the phone for the update from the sitter, Patsy (yes that's her full name), so I'll post again when I get the synopsis.

[twopups]

Car Ride

We rode in the car today...free reign.

You see, until today, every time we have gone to the vet we have lugged the crate into the car, put both pups in it, and watched them squirm, whine, and slide around during the 15 minute ride.

Today, my mom wasn't around to demand we continue that ritual; so, after a hefty walk around the block to tire them out, we lifted the little guys into the pickup, leashes held tightly in our grasp.

It was adorable to have them scoot close in our laps and inspect the open window as we took off down the road. 

RJ felt a little adventurous and put his little paws up on the door but never quite fulfilled the dog stereotype and risked his head out the window. In fact, he seemed a bit taken aback by the forceful wind.

Champ, on the other hand, didn't even get that far. He was content to occupy the middle seat and take a little cat nap. He was very unbothered by the trip. My sister, however, was a bit peeved that she couldn't show off her dog to all the passing cars, seeing as he was completely out of view.

But the best part? At the slightest sound of a motorcycle, the little guys' ears perked up and they went nuts trying to locate the noisy bike. They have a motorcycle fetish. A few come into our neighborhood regularly and the pups love to chase them as they bolt down the road, running along our fence-line until the offensive motorist has zoomed well past our property. It's really quite entertaining to watch.

So anyways, that was today's adventure. Hopefully we'll actually take them somewhere aside from the vet someday. I'd love to report back on a day trip to a lake or something. We'll see.

[twopups]

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made.

M. Facklam

[twopups]

The best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother--and they'll settle for a puppy every time.

Winston Pendleton

[twopups]

Masters of Destruction

They don't don't do it when you are looking, but puppies can be quite the little devils.

Like, when they evilly pretend to be fast asleep and you creep out of the room for some well-deserved relaxation.

Then, when you are down in the basement, you'll hear a noise upstairs and BAM! you walk into a room full of chaos.

To date, the two little guys have demolished Three rugs...

(they may seem to love laying on them at first, but sooner or later the fuzzy mats simply become more chew toys. You have been warned)

...One squirt gun...

(they somehow snuck around a gate, grabbed it off a chair, and magically tore it to bits. Upon arriving on the scene, the thing looked more like it had blown up then been chewed up)

...and One chores chart.

(essentially a piece of paper...but again, like it had exploded across the room. Did I mention it was hanging up on a door?)

Of course there are also the scratches, chewed molding, and roughed up walls that one would anticipate with two small dogs.

So, a warning to anyone who has yet to learn this lesson:

Do. Not. Leave Puppies Unattended...For ANY amount of time.

(no matter how innocent they appear)

Oh, and the 'Days Without Accident' has returned to 0.

Champ made a nice puddle for me this morning.

[twopups]

Sit/Stay

The easiest way for you to learn to train your pup is to buy a ton of treats and watch a bunch of Youtube videos.

I have taught myself how to teach Sit, Stay, Down, Roll Over, Sit Pretty, Speak, etc. all through Youtube. And so far, the site has not let me down.

You don't need to pay for special books and training sessions at a fancy gym. As long as you have Internet, you are good to go.

So, with two puppies, the one thing I have definitely learned over time is that you need to separate them when trying to train them.

We put RJ in his crate and work on Champ, then rotate. That way there is no pushing and shoving, and no distractions, between the two brothers. Plus, if he's smart, the puppy in the crate will watch his brother and figure out what he needs to do to get that treat when it's his turn (but who are we kidding).

Also, I'm pretty sure my dog has ADD, but maybe all dogs seem that way, so if he's getting distracted and you lose your cool, just stop. If you keep going, the dog won't listen, you'll be angry, and it just won't be a fun time for either of you. 

I guess those will be Tips#1-3, so

Tip #4: this Sit and Stay thing is a process, not a one-day tutorial. We've been at it for weeks and still, each day, we review it because they have yet to listen every time. 

Tip #5: aside from actual training sessions (which I think you should do twice a day for like 10 minutes, just to practice the skill repeatedly for a little while), Sit/Stay gets awesome practice if you do it before each meal.

We've been doin' it since Day 1...or more like Day 4:

Hold the bowl high, say "Sit" and "Stay" and don't let them get the food until they have actually done it. Don't give up and just give them the dang food if they get up too early. They should wait until the food dish is actually on the ground before you say "Release" or "Come" or whatever.

(I was consistent and meticulous about this but some other members of my family, not so much. So again, make sure the pups are doing it correctly before you give them the food. Dogs like food, they'll learn pretty quickly.)

Remember, it's a process. (We are still working on the distance we can get them to Stay). At first, make sure you don't go very far before letting them Come to you or they'll never learn what "Stay" means.

And don't forget: Youtube. It's great.

[twopups]

Potty Training

...is not easy.

At. All.

Tip #1: you need patience. Actually, you shouldn't even get a puppy unless you are willing to work on your patience. Seriously.

Tip #2: Those little puppy pad things don't necessarily work. 

For my puppies, we stuck a pad on the floor so they could pee on it in the house...and they instantly chewed it up.

Tip #3: puppies pee ALOT. So make sure you take them outside ALOT.

The books say to let them out 10 mins after they eat and when they've been especially active or just woken up from a nap. You're really better off just leaving them outside at all times, but of course we don't do that.

Tip #4: pick up the puppies and place them outside when they first wake up...for a while. 

Don't overestimate their bladder control. I thought my puppies were ready to just wander outside on their own in the morning...apparently not. Make.them.go.outside.ASAP. Every time.

Tip #5: when one puppy pees...the other will usually follow.

RJ will pee and I'll say "no" and grab the paper towels and wipes, and just as I get on all fours to clean up the puddle, I see Champ peeing in the other corner of the room. When one pees, put them both outside. Immediately.

Tip #6: they will poop in the house.

Puppies may love you but that doesn't mean they won't do things that you think they respect you enough not to do. They don't know respect like that. When they have to go, they go.

Tip #7: you may think you can easily train them to go in one spot in the yard. It's way harder than you think.

When you are standing outside in freezing weather with the dog on a leash and he refuses to go for over an hour, you don't care where he goes as long as you can go back inside. Again, you need incredible patience if you want to make sure the dog goes in the correct spot every time. Treats help, but then the puppy just sits near you for the treat, not realizing you want him to pee, not sit. And if you're not outside with him, treat in hand, he won't do it correctly anyways.

We're still trying though, and it may happen sooner or later.

Tip #8: they will stop peeing in the house eventually. I promise.

At six months now, my pups haven't had an accident in a really long time (knock on wood). Fingers crossed they are through that puppy phase.

It will happen one day so just hang in there.

[twopups]

Puppies

Introduction:

You know that show on MTV, "Teen Mom" ? Well I now consider myself one. 

Of course, my baby doesn't need milk or a diaper change. In fact, he doesn't wear any clothing at all.

He does, however, wake me in the middle of the night, whine when he wants something, have accidents on the floor, make messes, require regular feeding, and need a load of attention. 

My sister and I have just adopted two 4-month-old puppies. One's black, RJ; he's my dog. The other is tan, Champ; he belongs to my sister. 

This blog will be dedicated to these little guys as we struggle to take care of and train them. For you readers, it may serve as a teaching tool or simply as entertainment. But for me, it will be my way of remembering this summer with my little guys before heading off to college.

I'd also love to answer any questions about raising two pups, or hear any of your tips for dog training.

I hope you enjoy.

[twopups]

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

Bern Williams