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Bear the Puppy

4K views 46 replies 24 participants last post by  Hailey 
#1 ·
Hello GRF!

I'm new to the Forum and would like to introduce my new puppy, Bear. We (my fiancé and I) got him on 3/12 and he turned 8 weeks old on 3/13. He is already 20 pounds! Imagine our shock when he wouldn't fit in the crate or collar we brought for him! :lol:

He is the sweetest boy. My favorite thing about him right now is when he recognizes me after waking up from a nap--he smiles, wags his tail, and then jumps up for some major butt-wiggling and pig noises. It's so stinkin' cute I can barely stand it!

He's a huge hit everywhere we go (funny how everyone wants to talk to you when you have a puppy!)--including at the vet's, walking around the neighborhood, and, recently, a trip to Home Depot. In new places, he is so calm and sweet...he just sits back and takes it all in. He is acclimating SO well. I'm such a proud mommy.

His dislikes are his leash (he keeps trying to scratch it off and does NOT like being pulled) and being in his x-pen and crate. He cannot stand being separated from us--even when he can see us. He causes a mighty raucous by barking and whining. Poor baby, I know he just wants to be with us. Hopefully it's not too painful (for everyone!) when we actually do have to leave him.

I'm including some cute pictures and I want to include a short clip of him being a grumposaurus because it's past his nap time...but it says incorrect file format. I'll have to figure it out later. Can't wait to regale you all with his future adventures! ;)

Sincerely,
Hailey
 

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#13 ·
Thank you, anastasia! I just saw it. ;)

On another note, I just gave Bear a bath because on our walk he had somehow gotten tree sap on his rump. It was his first bath and he did GREAT! I used a handheld on him in the shower. He looked a little scared...but he just sat there. It was amazing how much dirt went down the drain. :eek: I mean...he LOOKED clean before the bath?! Guess he hides it well. Towards the end, he whimpered a bit because I think he was cold.

THEN I attacked him with a towel and he attacked all the towels on the floor by rubbing all over them (joke's on you, Bear!!)... I tried using the blowdryer (on low and cool), but he just thought it was a game and kept barking, jumping at it, and running away. I was able to dry his front legs without traumatizing him or indulging him too much in his game.

He's started doing "zoomies" (I think that's what they're called?)...where he gets all this crazy energy after a walk and attacks his leash and us and runs around the apartment when we get home. WELL. He sure was on a different zoomie level after his bath! He TOOK OFF! I've never seen him move so fast!!! It was so funny seeing his little furry body dart everywhere across the floor. He ran up and down the hall and ran circles around the couch. :lol: These are the moments that make all the sleepless nights worth it. ;)

He's been passed out, of course, for the past couple hours.
 
#14 ·
Quick question: Bear is starting to growl now when playing tug-of-war with his toys. I think it's kind-of cute...but I am wondering if this is a behavior I should be correcting? I don't think it will be so cute when he's an adult...
 
#16 · (Edited)
Noah does the same and this is how we handle it - we let him get a really good tug session with lots of growling and then let him "win" the game. Then we ask him to give his toy - then give it back to him, and play again, and then we'll "win" by asking him to give it again. As long as he's learning to happily give up the toy when we ask, and not growling to guard the toy, I don't think there's anything wrong with "expressing yourself" in the joy of the game.
 
#15 ·
Welcome! Bear is adorable. I have a male puppy as well and his name is Logan. He was born at the end of November.

I know it is hard to not squeeze them to bits when they are so very cute. I can hardly carry Logan anymore - they grow up so very fast and you will enjoy each stage. Logan is our 2nd Golden - they are so precious!
 
#17 ·
Bear looks adorable. And it looks like he's smiling when he's sleeping! Must be a very happy little guy. Our pup will be 10 weeks tomorrow and she has the "slashing Zoomies" every now and then which aren't much fun. She tears by us doing "drive-by bites" so we are doing some time-outs now. Has your pup started this?

PS: Welcome to the forum -there is a wealth of information here. :)
 
#18 ·
Yea I always called it the racecar, I love it watch it after a bath and sometimes just out of the blue..I lift my legs so she can open up her little hemi engine and really get after it..It cracks me up and quite an entertaining show. It also burns her excess energy, then she sleeps like a baby bear in hibernation. I wouldn't worry about the growling when playing Bear is just vocal.
 
#21 ·
Melakat, you do have a picture of Logan? ;)

rabernet, I like the idea of testing to make sure Bear's not trying to possess the toy. Assuming he's not--and that he's just vocal like Test-ok says--I will happily allow him to growl in play. I wasn't going to say it, but I've been having fun growling back! :lol:

PatJ, Thank you for the kind words. And, no, Bear isn't doing any slashing zoomies yet...thank goodness. That sounds terrible! How do you handle it?

AnnaW123, Congrats on your new puppy! I saw your intro thread and your Bear is adorable!!! We are gonna have a blast with our Bear pups!!! :banana:
 
#24 ·
Good morning! I've got some pics to share. :D

The first is of Bear in his new bed. Well, he's falling out. He picked it out at Pet Food Express. He loves it and tries to dig to China in it often.

The second scene happened when I turned my back for a second getting ready in the AM. He was being super frustrating that morning with way too much energy and biting, so I'd about had it. This got me laughing, though. I guess he wants another bath?? He proceeded to climb all the way in and lick the tub dry.

In the next photo he is having his first interaction with another puppy at Petco. The other pup was twice his age and a little rough. Bear kept hiding under our chairs and then darting out for stealth attacks. It was pretty funny. Also of note...he had his first interaction with a child there. She was 4 years old and it's like he knew she was a kid that needed gentle interaction. Instead of biting her (like he's been biting us nonstop), he licked her and rolled on his back to be pet. Then he did the play bow a few times with a wagging tail. It was the cutest thing!

Finally, this is him in his current glory. We love him so much!!!! :smooch:
 

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#26 ·
Bear is doing great, thanks for asking, GoldenSkies! It's funny that you ask, because I was just going to post today that he's done with all his shots!!! He can interact with other dogs now! WOO HOO!!!!! :banana: Well, the vet said wait a few days...party pooper.

Here are some pics. Not that I'm biased or anything, but he must be the most handsome golden boy in the world!!! :D He's getting so big...and entering the "awkward phase," I think--quite a lanky boy! :lol: As you can see, we like to spoil him with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Haha...just kidding! We stayed at our favorite resort (with Bear!) for Mike's birthday.

Victories:
Goes in his crate now on command,
Housebroken :)crossfing), &
Knows all the basic commands!

Ya'll, my little baby is growing up!!!!
 

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