Spring is here and I am again challenged keeping my dogs clean from the mud caused by melting snow and rain. My dog wash is getting plenty of use! I am so looking forward to the warmer weather and sunshine to dry up our yard!
Last week my daughter and I took a road trip to pick up our new puppy Willow. She is a beautiful standard parti poodle with chocolate merle markings. It is such an exciting time when a puppy joins the family but an adjustment to all, including our dogs Ruska, Ellie and Brinkley. Brinkley and Ellie were unsure if they wanted little Willow to join our family and let her know by growls and even a few snaps. Ruska, the matriarch of our dog family, put everyone in their place and took over mothering our new pup.
Pick up day
Potty Training
Willow is becoming more comfortably with her new surroundings and fitting in well. She is such a sweet, smart puppy and we have begun her training – working on some commands ….. sit, stay, down etc.
Potty training has also begun. Willow was “Kennel Raised” and did not begin potty training with her breeders. Even though she is three months old, she didn’t have a clue about the rules of going potty. Willow has now developed a habit which has to be broken, making potting training harder. I have begun trying to teach her there is a place to go potty – outside (not anywhere in the house whenever she feels the urge).
Even though it takes a lot of time and effort on my part, this is why I have chosen to raise our puppy litters in my home. At around 3-1/2 weeks of age we move our puppies out of the whelping box and into our puppy enclosure area. This is when potty training begins. I spend most of my time durning the next 3 days, putting each puppy in the potty area each time they wake and after they eat. This teaches them there is a “place” to go potty. It is amazing how quickly they figure it out and so satisfying to see them run to the potty area by themselves when they wake up or while they are playing! I believe it makes it easier for their forever family to house train when they go home.
Today is a beautiful sunny day and so welcomed after many days of rain! Hopefully it will help dry up our yard because, rain or shine, our dogs like to spend most of their day outside.
