Wednesday, April 20, 2016

First Days

It never fails that, the day after we take in a new puppy, it rains.

And keeps raining.

Thus, Kalo had a crash course in going potty outside in the rain- every. single. time. All. weekend. long.

He didn't like it, and soon began wailing in protest whenever we would pick him up and carry him out (because he wasn't going out on his own).

After the first few (alternately) successful potty breaks, or mad dashes back inside and whining in his crate because he really needed to go but refused to cooperate, I hit upon carrying him all the way to the very back of the yard, instead of to what had become the "potty spot". That way, he had to at least stop long enough to sniff and pee while hurrying back to the dry indoors. It worked. Plus, it forces him to walk/run a bit and wear himself out every time.

The only difference in the routine was Sunday morning, when both of the other dogs dashed right out into the rain to do their business and he, in his excitement at seeing his new pals again after a long night, ran right out after them.

He quickly realized his error, turned around and raced back to the back door.

Ha.

He's also learned, as of yesterday, that he can travel the length of the house, under the eaves, and stay relatively dry.

Not to mention, he's figured out the "driest" route to/from the yard, avoiding the low spots near the patio that have become puddles. It has been quite amusing. He won't just follow you straight out off the patio. He goes as far across the patio as possible, to the right where the yard slopes downward and is more dry because the run-off is away from the house, and then navigates his way to higher ground.

He's learning "leave it" and "sit" fairly well- and can now be warned away from our growing plants without leaving any damage. Today we started "off", and he's getting better about quieting down in his crate, instead of throwing dramatic fits. I'd forgotten what drama queens they are.

He's waking up every 3 hours, with the exception of waking at 5am after going out at 3am. He's catching on that we're just going to ignore him at 6am when Daddy gets up for work and Mommy stays in bed- especially if he just went out at 5am. He can wait til 7:00 when I get up just fine. 

10-minute walks in the morning have helped with his insane energy level.

He's getting along ok with his new sisters.








1 comment:

  1. LOL they can be such babies about the rain! Brutus is the same way, he will refuse to go out in the rain - unless you go with him of course. I've seen him hold it for over 10 hours in protest of going out in the rain! My girls on the other hand will sit out in the rain and look at me like, "why am I getting wet?". Crazy dogs.

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