Wow! Pont has gone 32-hours without a single accident in the house! We think that's something big. I'm sure other dog owners understand.
Over the weekend Pont has picked up on recognizing his name. He has learned to lay in his little padded bed in the kitchen while we eat. He has learned (almost mastered!) the sit command. As the Photo of the Day suggests, he has starting to spoon with Glynis on the couch in the Sun Room – when she allows it. She is still guarding her space from this new invader.
That's not to say there haven't been issues. But it seems for every step back, Pont takes several steps forward.
This will be a tough adjustment week for the little guy. It's our first full workweek after two relatively easily weeks lounging at home. I'll be coming home over lunch every day this week to let Pont out and stretch his legs. It is so fun to watch a puppy run around outside. Each time it is as if it was his first experience as he leaps from place to place, sniffs every plant and rock, tries to catch a blowing leaf or eat ice off the ground.
Hello there:
We are owned by two Northwind Whippets: "Tigger" (8 year old brother to "Pont's" mommy) and "Corvette"...who is "Pont's littermate!
Fun to read your blog on him and your dogs and family! Corvette is a really fun puppy...Continued success with "Pont" and see you at the lure coursing trials? My son, Sean, is 15 and would like to course "Vette"....and we will be showing him in conformation too. Take care, Sue
Posted by: Sue and Sean at January 5, 2005 07:16 PMHi! Thanks for visiting the Dog Blog and e-mailing.
Pont is wonderful and we enjoy having him. There are the "moments" however. I see you also have a 8-year old like we do so I wanted to ask some questions to see how you are doing.
How's the potty training going? We had a good stretch where he went 2 whole days with no accident. Last night, however, we had just let them out and everyone did their business. About 15-minutes later I'm playing with my son and I hear this sound, look over and Pont is peeing on the carpet. How frustrating!!! How's it going for you?
Does yours jump like mad and basically go all crazy when you first get home? Pont especially goes crazy all over Glynis when he gets out of his kennel (we can leave Glynis free in the house all day). This bugs Glynis but she tolerates it. You?
Pont is making progress...even daily. We just forgot how much work it was to have another "toddler" in the house again. "Where is Pont?"; "How did he get that shoe?"; "Pont is running down the hall with toilet paper!"
Yes, we will be coursing but this summer since he will be too young we'll just show up at 1 or 2 events so he can "practice" on the lure in between races. I've already been working with him by using a white plastic bag on a fishing line.
Pont is at 20 lbs now and getting more of those whippet features. Great looking dog.
Stay in touch and continued good luck with training!
Good morning:
Sorry, didn't get back to you sooner. Yup; life is wild here too, with our older boy "Tigger" suddenly in his second childhood, until he remembers he's the "alpha" dog, and decides to take over the rawhide bone that is the "bone du jour" (the living room is strewn with the things...but inevitably, it's ONE bone they both want at the same time). Tigger is making lots of vocalizations, which my sister has heard when I've been on the phone with her. Sounds like a whale recording..."AROOOOO...WOOOO, WOOOOO, WOOOOO" etc. Cracks us all up.
We decided to sacrifice our kitchen table (it folds down..antique)...and have Corvette's ex-pen set up in the kitchen. I borrowed an idea or two from Kay's house: Instead of newspapering the entire expen area, which we did when Tigger was a puppy, I put down an old sheet (keep several on hand...usually have to wash them daily) and I have an under the bed plastic storage container, put newspapers in that, and a handful of cedar shavings, as Kay had set up in one end of the whelping box, then enlarged it as they got older. Soooo...yes, there are still "oops" but it's gotten fewer and fewer, especially this last week. He's really smart, and picked up the routine. I even say "Ok, kennel" and he'll go into his expen, tail wagging. I got him a comfy square dog bed (Walmart) and wasn't sure how that would go, as Tigger really got into ripping and shredding at that age. So far, the bed is in one piece! YEE HA. It's got a zip off cover, so it's washed when needed. I put an old acrylic twin sized bed blanket on top of that, and another acrylic (no fringe) throw. So, it all cleans up easily, and as I work (UMD NRRI Library....I see you work at the U, too!)....that really has helped.
Sean, my 15 year old son, gets home from school, and lets Corvette out of his pen, then Tigger out of his expen (basement...we have cats....and we wouldn't HAVE any cats if I didn't confine Tigger during the day...he really really loves to chase them....ARGH)...So, they get several hours of roughhousing, but then things are back under control. I have co-workers who have one dog, and they often have housetraining issues....which as the dogs get older, having them confined in an expen, I haven't had. We had an old lab for several years (he passed away last spring...about 12...rescue dog) and compared to him, whippets are such clean house dogs. I will be finding black lab hairs in the crooks and crannies for years I'm sure! UGH. Nice dogs, but....
Anyway, glad Pont is having so much fun with "his" own whippet. At one point, when Tigger and Corvette were playing tug of war, then got into a "tizz" (chasing each other in the living room), Sean and I were laughing our heads off, and I was saying 'settle,settle...that's ENOUGH" and Sean piped up "And you were going to get TWO puppies!" (we had seriously thought of getting your boy, too, or Bentley!)....so I am glad we stayed with "plan A" and just got Corvette. I have a small house! We also have a 5 acre wooded/meadowed lot, and I have a smaller chain link fenced back yard for the dogs. That is a GREAT help in the house training...Now, if it would just warm up....
Take care, and have a great time with your whippet family. See you in the spring! Sue (and the boys)....
Posted by: Sue Hendrickson at January 8, 2005 09:51 AM