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No is a word I’ve been using a lot since Charlie came home. I’m trying to teach her obedience; she’s teaching me patience and how to handle fewer, lighter hours of sleep. Both lessons for each party are difficult to learn. And I’m also realizing that the messes I make can’t wait another day (as I usually procrastinate), because then she’ll make them worse. Which I think is a great motivator, and with my sleepy brain am trying to rationalize all of the extra effort (a cleaner house, despite the extra work, is always worth it, right?).
Puppy butt! You can see it in her eyes; she’s going to be trouble if I don’t get better at this.

And even though she’s less than three months old, she’s understanding what no means very quickly. Smart girl. I’m actually amazed at how quickly, in just a few days time, she seems to understand what I mean. And not only understand, but actually do as I ask.

She’s lucky she has a cute face. Because I came home the other day and she decided that my laundry room (which she stays in with her puppy pad, crate, and food) needed redecorating. With poop. Everywhere. On the appliances, on the floor, and as if that wasn’t enough, on the walls. Ugh.

No, I did not take a photo of poopy walls – this is after cleanup!

I guess that’s her way of telling me that she agrees that I should paint the laundry room a different color, which I’d been thinking about for a while. But I don’t want it brown, either. Thanks for using your very limited color palette, Charlie, but I got this one.

Her first full day in the house was unfortunately a day where I had to go to work. Her little episode was clearly a lack of proper training on my part (as in, I was the unprepared one – she is just a baby!), which I’ve since been doing more research about (if you’re wondering, I’m starting her on this series of training methods – and the results are AMAZING).

As I’m typing this now (which is the evening, but it will post in the morning), I am happy to report that my little bug is quietly and peacefully resting in her crate. It will take more effort on my part to prevent a repeat (and let’s face it, the more exhausting hours and hours of cleaning) of her first experience in her new home, but in the end, she and I will be much happier – and actually get a few more winks!

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3 Comments

  1. No don't use potty pads!! They make real potty training down the line ten times worse. You're teaching him to go inside. Period. Anything soft and white will be considered the pad…carpet, a sofa cushion, a blanket, etc. Come and take him out at lunch or hire someone to let him out until he's old enough to hold it all day.

  2. You make a great point! All of this puppy parenting is new to me, and all of the advice conflicts with each other. I'm taking her for her first vet visit tomorrow, so hopefully things are in good shape.

    She seems to be doing extremely well with crate training, though!

  3. Haha! Good luck with everything! Honestly there is no set science to potty training or puppy training in general, though we are pregnant with our first it's just like the advice you get with children. We had great success with a potty pad because it provided a place to go potty while their bladders were still too small to hold it. What changed the game for us was a doggy door but obviously that's not always possible! Good luck and keep with what's working! You're doing a great job and there is a HUGE learning curve when it comes to puppies! :)