On Labor Day we picked up our 1/2 Golden, 1/2 Labrador Retriever puppy. Today is his 8 week birthday.
Wow. It's been almost 11 years since I've had a puppy. What a joy he is! He's about the sweetest thing imaginable. Loves to lick faces and nibble ears, and is obsessed with necklaces. I took the whole week off to welcome him home, so here are my initial thoughts and observations.
Here's one of his first pictures at home.
Wow. It's been almost 11 years since I've had a puppy. What a joy he is! He's about the sweetest thing imaginable. Loves to lick faces and nibble ears, and is obsessed with necklaces. I took the whole week off to welcome him home, so here are my initial thoughts and observations.
- He seems very smart. In his 7th week of life he's already learned sit, speak, and shake. He's working on "down", and "come" is also coming along.
- He'd never had a collar before, and spent his first three-four days trying to scratch it off. He kept walking funny because he was constantly wanting to sit and scratch the collar.
- He disapproves of leashes. Walking him is interesting.
- He has not been stepped on yet. See #3 above. There've been several close calls averted only by my nimble catlike reflexes.
- Coccidia and diarrhea are his only medical problems. He's on Primol for that.
- Potty training is going well, but see #5 above. As far as we know, he has yet to pee in the house. I am knocking on wood.
- He's learning to be a bit more independent. That's good and bad as we don't have a fenced yard. I fear losing him at night in the darkness.
- HAWKS! Several times now, a hawk has circled or gotten close to check him out as a potential meal.
- He's not big on water yet, but we've not really exposed him to too much.
- Today is his first day at puppy day care. I hope he does well. It's kinda expensive, so we look forward to the day he can be left at home and not locked in his cage.
- He sleeps a lot. Bursts of activity and long naps seem to be his forte.
Here's one of his first pictures at home.