Nap Time

Before I got a puppy I don't think I appreciated sleep. I usually woke up around 9 or 10 and didn't think anything about it. I would go to a couple classes then come home and take a nap. Then I got a puppy....

First I have to give my puppy some credit. She is the first puppy that doesn't wine or bark when she is in her kennel. She has never make enough noise to wake me up and I can't complain at all.

But back to the sleep part. Since Izzie is still a puppy I don't want to leave her in her kennel to long, including when I sleep. This means that I get up at 8:00am everyday. No excuses. No snooze button. As soon as the alarm goes off its up, dressed and out in the snow. Everyday.

Now that I have this new sleep schedule I have grown to love the nap. There are moments during the day when Izzie gets tired and lays down for a nap. This is the small opportunity that I have to catch a few ZZZ's. I never pass them up and I don't think I will.

Sleep. Just something else to consider when thinking about getting a puppy.

How much?

I have had Izzie for a little under a month now and I am realizing a trend. Puppies are expensive! Here is an idea of what I have spent on little Izzie so far.

$25 leash and collar

$130 adoption fee

$25 microchip

$100 bed,crate,food,treats, ect

$50 toys

$65 first puppy check up and shots

$25 puppy gates

$20 more treats and cleaning supplies

$40 check up

total: $480

Yes thats right, under a month and almost $500 dollars in. Isn't that delightful!

Just something to think about before you go out and get a puppy.

Let the training begin....

There are a lot of things you consider before getting a puppy. Just when you think you have everything covered something pops up. For me it was training. I have had puppies before and thought I knew how to train them but this time it was all on me. There was no one to help me do the training.

I feel pretty lucky because I have a smart puppy. I have already taught her how to sit and she it doing really well on the potty training. Nothing to complain about right? Well having a smart puppy is a double edged sword. Although she catches on quickly she also uses her smarts to get herself into trouble. At first I thought I could block her off in the living room so I could keep an eye on her while I study. This was a mistake. Every attempt was shot do

wn after about 5 minuets. Since then I have purchased two gates to span the doorways

of the living room and multiple packages of bones, chews, rawhides and anything else that will keep her attention. She has been doing great but it is a full time job keeping up with her. Good thing she takes a lot of naps!

There are a couple of books I would recommend for anyone considering getting a puppy. Cesar's Way discusses the psychology of dogs and how to use it in your favor. I kinda thought that this was bogus until I tried some of his techniques and they worked really well.

Another book I recommend is Puppies for Dummies. This book covers a ton of things you should consider before getting a puppy and it has tons of training info and even games to keep your puppy busy.

Next time I will be discussing the costs of getting a puppy and hopefully revealing some things you haven't considered about costs.

Success!

I finally got a puppy! I picked her up this weekend from Wayside Waifs. She is a two month old chow/shepherd mix and I just decided to call her Izzie.

Since I picked her up in Kansas City she got a chance to meet the family dogs. My parents dogs, Henrey and Sweetie were a little nervous but they all got along just fine. My brothers dog Penny made a new best friend and the two played for hours and hours.

On Sunday I went to the pet store to get the puppy a bed, food, toys, treats, toys, chews, toys and more toys. I ended up with an entire shopping cart full of goodies for a 5 pound puppy. (She's not spoiled at all) While I shopped Izzie stayed with my brother. She played with Penny and "allegedly" ate a hole in the carpet and through a phone charger.

The first two days in Maryville have been very exciting. Constant trips downstairs to go outside, toys flying everywhere and there is always the puppy proofing. If you think your puppy won't find something, let me tell you, she will and then she will chew it up faster then you could imagine.

I'm sure there will be many more exciting things to come. Check back soon.