An Epiphany

Puppy Party last night was exciting. There were six puppies, most with two owners, all shapes and sizes (dogs and owners), and TWO miniature schnauzers! Turns out the other one, Hamish, was from the litter that we’d looked at in Aberdeenshire!

We all sat around while the lady gave us a few tips on training puppies. I did pick up a few ideas. Meanwhile, the puppies were eyeing each other up. Archie couldn’t believe his eyes. The tiny wee daschund nearby started yapping at Archie, and Archie yapped back. He’s never barked before! It was embarrassing, as the lady was trying to talk to us. Then Hamish's owner came and sat beside us and we chatted about schnauzers, and puppy training - and Hamish suddenly lunged at Archie. End of possible friendship.

Archie didn't embarrass me when we did a demonstration of 'Come!' Twice.

After a wee talk, they took all the people for a wander round the vet hospital, while the pups did a bit of socialising (on leads with the staff and toys - not just a rammy). I really would rather have watched the action with the pups - that would have much more fun. However, for our £10 we got a Goody Bag, and in it was a Desensitisation CD of noises - fireworks, thunder and lightning, which you play at low volume first and then get louder to get them used to noises. Useful indeed. I’ve just spent the morning putting it as a playlist on my Bose Sound System - hope I don’t accidentally choose it instead of ‘Dinner Jazz’ when people are here.

Also in the Goody Bag was a wee booklet with helpful training hints. And the main hint/technique that I'd read about before, but it just suddenly clicked was about ‘separation anxiety’. This can become a huge problem if not dealt with at an early stage.

And I had an epiphany.

I’m doing it all wrong! I’ve fallen into the same trap that parents of toddlers often do - the toddler (puppy) has to be the centre of attention at all times when awake, otherwise they perform and whine. And it becomes a very hard habit to break.

The vet booklet (and others) recommend ignoring your puppy when you come back in until he’s settled, then call him and pat him calmly. Archie goes crazy when you come back in, even after 5 minutes absence. And I have inadvertently been encouraging this behaviour.

And so this morning I got up at 5.30am, (after he had whined for a while at 4:15!) let him out without speaking to him, left the back door open, chucked his toys all round the kitchen, and came back to bed. He did whine for a while, but eventually quietened. He has to be able to be on his own when awake.

When I got up I ignored him for a while and he gave up and chewed his pig’s ear. Then I called him over and patted him. He was calm and didn’t jump up. It will be hard (for both of us… and the neighbours) but it has to be done. He even popped back into his crate to sleep (he's never done that before - falls asleep on the floor and we carry him in), got up three times when I moved around the kitchen, and the fourth time he stayed and dozed.

I may need to rename my journal. I can’t see any ‘meandering’ being done for quite some time. When Archie’s a big sensible dog, I will look back on this time and remember how hard it was. I appreciate any hints and thoughts from dog owners! And please don’t feel you have to read all this guff - it’s mainly to remind me.

He now loves the ball, brings it back, and puts it down. Sort of.

He’s outside, dozing on his mat, with the occasional whine, while I do indoor jobs. I see progress already.