So it feels like this blog is turning in to one long excuse
for not posting. I have a pretty good excuse this time though. A four legged,
big brown eyed, floppy eared, gorgeous excuse. Allow me to introduce Millie.
Our family dog died when I was eleven, and I don’t think
there has been a day in the intervening 16 years when I haven’t wanted another
dog. Having been in our house for three years, and just celebrated our first
wedding anniversary, The Husband finally agreed we could get a dog. This was in
part to do with the fact that he promised me one for our first anniversary and
did so in front of some close friends, so there was no backing down really!
We went to the local shelter and they had two litters of puppies.
We looked at the puppies, we looked at the rest of the dogs, we went back to
the puppies. There was a litter of Basset Hound cross with Labrador (or a
Bassador as they are apparently known). There were two left. Then there were
six Tricolour Beagles which the shelter thought may be crossed with another
breed, but they couldn’t be sure what. Both litters weren’t available for
rehoming until the next day.
We went home. We read about Beagles. We read about Bassadors.
I spent the whole next day being incredibly productive to try and pass the time
until The Husband got home. We went back the the shelter and there were still
both types of puppy. We looked at the girl Bassador, we had a little cuddle.
Then we had a little cuddle of the girl Beagle. And she didn’t get put down
again until we were home.
Millie has been with us for five days now. Life has changed.
We are valiantly trying to toilet train her with fluctuating levels of success.
She loves playing fetch, but hasn’t quite grasped the idea of bringing the ball
back. Her favourite thing to eat seems to be the plants in the garden. We have
a constant monologue of “Good Millie”, “No Millie”, “Drop Millie”, “Out Millie”,
“Good Millie”, “Here Millie”. I had the inevitable delight of traipsing dog
dirt into the house without realising it, and whilst trying to clean that up
she proceeded to wee on the floor. We are constantly trying to take things out
of her mouth that she shouldn’t be eating and replace them with things she
should.
Goodness knows how we would be with children. We have spent
every night since her arrival Googling various things about dog behaviour and training,
and the conflicting advice is unending. She likes to chew, and nip, at hands
and ankles (and everything else). So far all of the following things have been
advised on various websites:
·
If you don’t STOP IT RIGHT NOW she will be a
violent adult only with MUCH BIGGER TEETH
·
Squeal like a puppy when she nips
·
Growl like a dog when she nips
·
Say a high-pitched ouch when she nips
·
Make your hand go limp when she nips
·
Say No and move your hand away
·
Sat No and walk away for fifteen seconds
·
Say No and walk away for ten minutes
·
Say No and sit on a high counter where she can’t
reach you
·
Spray her with water
·
Put lemon juice/bitter apple in her mouth
·
Hold her mouth closed
·
Whatever you do don't hold her mouth closed
·
Roll her on her back, look into her eyes and say
no until she breaks eye contact
·
Absolutely do not roll her on her back
·
It’s normal and she will grow out of it
We are bewildered and bemused. Goodness
knows what the neighbours think of my squealing puppy impression. We are keen
to be good puppy owners. We are also a force to be reckoned with when it comes
to clean ups and air freshener, whirling round like an ultra-hygienic version
of batman and robin wiping, drying, spraying and scenting. She has already
stolen our hearts, and a few tea towels. The training (both the nipping and the
toileting) will take time. In the meantime there is no greater contentment than
cuddling a sleeping puppy.
Oh my gosh!! She is the best excuse for taking a blogging break ever
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