Growing up in 2 days!

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Phebe*DD

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It's been exactly 3 weeks since I picked Phebe up at the airport. I've had dogs pretty much my entire life, but she is my first puppy, so I was getting a bit discouraged at her reluctance with the leash, house training mis-steps, hesitation in new situations, etc. I wasn't giving up, but was starting to wonder how long this would go on.

Today, was a NEW day.

We woke to steady rain and I expected that potty time would be quite trying. She peed and pooped out in the rain -- just like a big girl.

When it was time to go to the office, she walked on the leash with minimal coaxing and baiting, and even jumped in the car on her own.

I took her with me to visit our summer institute students at two different locations. She met at least 30 new people and got in and out of the car with minimum help.

To cap her day -- just now she opened the door to her crate and put herself to bed.

I know we're not all the way 'there', but this was a HUGE day. I would like to claim that it's all due to my patient and consistent training, and I am trying, but I think there's something else at play. In the first two weeks she was here, she had a huge growth spurt -- almost 4 lbs in 2 weeks, and about an 1" in height. I think the growing probably took all her energy and now that we're on the other side of that she is better able to start acting like a big girl.

At least that's my current theory. :wink2:
 
Yay! She is doing well. I think it is a combination of your training, patience and her 'growing' up (rather stop of the growth spurt!) It sounds like you are doing so well with her. She will be such a well behaved and socialized dog.
 
Works for me!

I think its a combination of good, consistent work on your part, and a combination of intelligence and growth on Phebe's. 'Way to go-
 
don't forget about routine

CONGRATS!!!
I think it is about routine too. If she is doing the same thing about the same time everyday, It helps! I think that a routine is important. My 12 week old is on somewhat of a schedule and she too is coming along nicely! Good luck with her. Remember this feeling! (because you may not feel like this everyday!)
 
Way to go Phebe*DD and Mom

Consistency is the plan and what will keep her on the right tract. Just like chilren they like to know what to expect and to have some type of schedule.:wink2: Best of luck with your new baby and many happy and healthy years to come.:smile2:
 
emmygirl said:
CONGRATS!!!
I think it is about routine too. ... Remember this feeling! (because you may not feel like this everyday!)
Click to expand...

No kidding! I should probably bookmark this thread so I can easily find it when I encounter the training obstacles that are yet to come.
 
I have to agree with the others. You patients with her is definately showing here...that and your little girl is growing up.....

can we all say awwwww
 
We brought home our first puppy a year ago. It was a learning experience for all. But we discovered that patient and consistent training goes a long way. Now with our second puppy I'm learning that there is a big difference in personalities and that different puppies can take different training strategies.

Phebe*DD said:
To cap her day -- just now she opened the door to her crate and put herself to bed.
Click to expand...

Jackson thinks he's big enough to sleep outside his crate. It takes a little coaxing every night to get him to go in and sleep in the crate. A little treat tossed to the back gets him in. Now that I think about it, he's probably got me trained. By hesitating to go in a night he knows he'll get a treat out of it:)
 
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