I’m sorry it’s been two days since my last Phoenix update.
Please forgive me! I had a crazy, packed weekend planned before I made the commitment to her. Believe me, she had a great weekend with my pack and with visits, walks and lessons with Zach. Oh, my, how she’s changed!
She loves to place, is doing fairly decent with stay, more than decent recall, has earned off-leash potty privileges and last night she earned nighttime privileges. I put a baby gate across my bedroom doorway so she would be contained but so that Pony would not feel too confined. He likes to tuck me in and then sleep in the hallway- likes to keep watch. Phoenix jumped up on the bed at first, not sure what she enjoyed more: snuggling with me or annoying Gigi.
At some point during the night she got down. I had planned ahead and put down a potty pad just in case she needed it overnight. I found her sleeping on it in the morning! (It was still clean.) She’s been prancy and dancy and really being a puppy. She’s getting toys on her own, chewing on things she should and avoiding things she shouldn’t- most of the time. I watched her pick up a paperback book from the end table, trot into her crate and settle down to “read” it. The silver lining here is that she surrendered it when asked without a fuss.
I haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet. Today I asked my 7-year-old nephew to join us at the park. She was just delightful! She not only respected him but obeyed him when he was her handler and gave her commands. Admittedly, he is an above average handler. He has a natural talent for training and is quite confident; dogs respect him. I asked Jack if he thought I should find Phoenix a home with kids in it or a home with just adults. He thought about it and said, yes, with kids as long as they, “don’t get in her face.” I asked if he was frightened that she might bite him. He said, “not really because she’s just a puppy and isn’t mean but she won’t do it anymore when she’s a dog.” Finally, he offered that she should be the only dog in the house so she gets all the pets.
I know, he’s seriously that awesome. Be jealous. She’s got a full day of walks and lessons on her social calendar for tomorrow, I will do my best to update every day this week! For now, it’s a super chilly, three-dog night here in south-central PA. How lucky am I that I’ve got three of the best to snuggle with?
Please follow along on this blog as she completes the Good Dog Board and Train program. Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.
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