I am a tired momma

[beltainelady]

One week into puppy parenthood, and I'm pooped. The last time I had a puppy was when we brought Navarre home 6+ years ago. Before that, it was Isabeau. Each time we adopted a puppy, we had an older dog at home already so we didn't have to housebreak and train them both and the older dog sort of showed them the ropes.

Now, we have TWO puppies at one time. Yes, we're insane. Many of my online groups said so, but I soldiered on. They're doing well enough, though. Harley has learned her name and (mostly) comes when you call her. So does Joker. Both of them are slowly learning to let us know when they need to go out. Joker can hold it, but he seems to either forget or choose not to. Thank heavens for wood floors and the Bissell!!

They rumble around together and although it seems that Harley is totally terrorizing Joker, he seems to like it. When he's had enough, he warns her off. It's a little disconcerting to see his huge maw swallow her entire head, but he's really very gentle with her. She, on the other hand, is a complete prima donna. She bites his ears, lips, cheeks; chews on his tail and feet. And those puppy teeth are vicious! But he just laps it up. They play tug-of-war, and he lifts her off the ground!

I'm tired, though. We've separated their crates into two different bedrooms and at least that makes them quiet through the night. Liana's had to get up a few times during the night to take Harley out to potty, and Joker is mostly quiet all night. It's hard to get anything done around here, since they're both underfoot constantly. We're going to need to put up baby gates at the kitchen entrances so they don't get into things, or into trouble.

Well, at least I don't have to rush home on my lunch hour for puppy duty. I haven't been able to get a picture of Joker alone, since he's never alone. But here are some sleepy puppy faces.

Comments

[vicki-sine.livejournal.com]

ohhhh the rare cute unconcious moment.

[mydogtales.livejournal.com]

I saw your post on dogsintraining, but I was a bit too afraid to post on there since some people are a bit touchy~. But I don't think there is anything wrong with having two puppies! I can't imagine dealing with two hellions at once though! I will admit that I have my first puppy now, and I have a lot to learn, but puppies will be puppies! Even if there are 10 toys on the floor (some with treats inside), my 12 week old whippet pup will go chew my comforter or find the cat's litter box. Saying "Eh eh!" or "Noooo!" and then giving her something "right" to chew is sometimes the only option.

I think you are doing a great job with two exuberant pups! ^__^ And by what you said, Willow (my whippet puppy) and Harley are probably around the same age! She gets her last vaccinations at the end of this month as well. I can't wait to take her places!

[beltainelady.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the support. I didn't think people would be so adverse to correction! I mean, don't you tell your children "No!" when they touch or do something they shouldn't? How else are they to learn what isn't appropriate?

Some people take everything to the extreme. And I highly doubt those that criticized me NEVER say "No" or "Down" or "Stop" or "Leave it" when their dog is into something they shouldn't be.