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Here is an article that I thought you would enjoy.
I AM YOUR PUPPY
I am your Puppy, and I will love you until the end of the Earth,
but
please know a few things about me.
I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity for
learning are the same as an 8-month-old child.
I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This
is how I explore and learn about the world. Even HUMAN children
put things in their mouths. It's up to you to guide me to what is
mine to chew and what is not.
I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1 - 2 hours.
I cannot "feel" that I need to poop until I've actually
already started. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go,
and I cannot have "bladder and bowel control" until 6
- 9 months. Do not punish me if you have not let me out for 3 hours
and I tinkle. It is your fault. As a Puppy, it is wise to remember
that I NEED to go potty after: Eating, Sleeping, playing, Drinking
and around every 2 - 3 hours in addition. If you want me to sleep
through the night, then do not give me water after 7 or 8 p.m. A
crate will help me learn to housebreak easier, and will avoid you
being mad at me.
I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen, please be patient with me!
In time I will learn.
I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary
monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and
chase fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what
I do. Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and
sleep all day. If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe
you could consider an older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group.
My play is beneficial, use your wisdom to guide me in my play
with appropriate toys, and activities like chasing a rolling ball,
or gentle tug games, or plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip you
too hard, talk to me in "dog talk", by giving a loud YELP,
I will usually get the message, as this is how dogs communicate
with one another. If I get too rough, simply ignore me for a few
moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate chew toy.
I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or
beat a 6-month-old human infant, so please do not do the same to
me. I am delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me
harshly now, I will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked,
kicked or beat. Instead, please guide me with encouragement and
wisdom. For instance, if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No
chew!" and hand me a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING
that you do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference
between your old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your
$200 Nikes.
I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings and drives much
like your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a
human in a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly
obey your every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part
of your family, and your life. You got me (I hope) because you want
a loving partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard
when I get bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with
gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of family member
you want me to be.
I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect
either. I love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about training,
and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian, books
on dog care and even researching on the computer! Learn about my
particular breed and it's "characteristics", it will give
you understanding and insight into WHY I do all the things I do.
Please teach me with love, patience, the right way to behave and
socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class,
we will BOTH have a lot of fun together.
I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with
you, and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand
how I work? We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger,
pain, thirst, discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different
and must work to understand one another's language, body signals,
wants and needs. Some day I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one
you can be proud of and one that you will love as much as I love
you.
Love,
Your Puppy
Copyright 2000, by J. Ellis - Southern Shadows Rottweilers.
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