Look How Big I Am!

Today, May 27th, Molly had a checkup at the vet and received her final distemper and the rabies vaccinations. She is now at 15.8 pounds, meaning she has gained 4.8 in the last three weeks! Apparently this is normal for large breed dogs, and typically they are three times their weight of 12 weeks. This would mean she will be about 45 pounds, very manageable.

We also took a another trip to PetSmart for a new leash (she chewed through the last one, twice) and then to the dog park. She played with a very excitable beagle. He started out being a big meanie and picking on her, but after some restraint they did fine together. The played for about 20 min straight and near the end they were so tired they would both stop to rest a few moments between bouts. Molly slept a couple hours, which is great, she needed to get some of her energy out.

Here is pic of her today, she LOVES my daughter's Dora chair. It's just the right size for her now, I am curious to see how she will curl up in it when she full grown.

Graduation!

Molly graduated from puppy school on May 11th. There wasn't a specific test to pass, I think it is just for the fact we get to dress our dogs in cute mortarboards. She (and I) got a lot out of the classes. Most of the puppies got "sit" down, perhaps not all by a verbal command, but it's a start. Molly needs some work with "come when called". If she is to distracted I won't even get a glance in my direction. She does however got "down" down, but only by luring. Here is a photo of her in her graduation hat!

Training on May 5th

This afternoon we practiced more of "come when called" and "down". She has "sit" pretty much down and will come sit in front of me when ever I am holding a treat; I don't really have the opportunity to practice to actually put her into a sit. We haven't started with using the verbal commands, but that will come soon enough. The only thing that is causing a problem is her attention span and interference by distractions. While at puppy school, she is hard to call for, there are just too many things going on that are more exciting than me. I'm still looking for that magic noise I can make to get her attention; I can not whistle and my voice is a bit soft. Once I do have her attention, and she sees that I have treats, running off again to play doesn't really happen.

The mouthing and nipping is still in full force as well the chewing. It is frustrating.

Puppy School

Puppy school began on the Monday following the adoption, after just three days at home. The class runs four weeks, and has been pretty helpful. I am doing some training at home too, using a clicker. She is responding well to it, being that she can hear it much better than my voice in a distracting situation.

Socialization is a big part of Molly's life right now. The puppies in the class all play together well and I have been trying to take her to as many places that I can during this important time. We have gone to PetsMart, so she could help shop, played with the neighborhood dogs and met the neighbors. We also have driven around for errands and to my son's daycare so she could be handled by several kids at a time.

Next week, May 11th is the last class, and there will be a graduation "ceremony" where the puppies will wear little motarboards, tassel and all.

Welcome To Our Home!

Molly came to us through the Minnesota Valley Humane Society; she was seven weeks old when we picked her out. She was a sweet little puppy that was very mellow and a bit shy. She came home on Friday, April 17th, 2009 and from there they craziness began.

After a few days she warmed up to us and showed her true self. Now she is a very active, nippy, and somewhat stubborn puppy, but still sweet as can be.

We were successful with crate training, through the whole night, up to 6 hours, without whining or crying, after just a couple days. Now, she uses her crate as a napping place, a retreat from the kids and her dining area. She is put there for time-outs, while we are gone, and to sleep each night.