Bear's Puppy Log

Another Bear update, he's 13 weeks and five days. Haven't weighed him in the past week, but he must be 11.5 kilos now.
He's great on walks, we have been letting him off the lead as much as possible and he's responding to a recall whistle (he actually thinks the whistle is the most exciting noise ever, so that's encouraging). On Monday we went to a nearby park for a picnic and OH took Monty off into the woods. Bear settled down close to me and fell asleep, I'm really pleased with how he adapts to so many different situations. His face is changing too, the puppy fluff is disappearing, and his eyes are becoming rounder, though they are still quite light brown.

In terms of training, we've been working on the raised beds, and I've also bought a fabric crate which can be moved around into different rooms. Both dogs are happy to go in it, (often both trying at the same time!) but we haven't worked up to closing the door and them settling down yet. I'm just rewarding them massively for being on the bed / crate and being calm.

I've started some sit stay work, using a place board (it's just a foam square at the moment ) - I need to work on not rushing through doorways, so this is building up to this.

I've bought a puppy dummy, no idea what to do with it yet :listening:

Toileting is still hard work, having to make sure he's out every 45 minutes still, and most days at least one accident in the house.

Here's Bear meeting ducks and geese for the first time - don't know if you can you see the grey goslings. He was super calm around them, not so much the dogs and people walking nearby! The lead looks taught but he wasn't pulling at all.



A bit of gentle morning bitey face on the bed. We found some big scabs on monty's neck, I felt awful that Bear has properly taken a bite out of him :-( . He is still incredibly bitey, holes are appearing in clothes now (or actually, full on tears). His evil trick is grabbing your calves while you aare walking away from him.

And sorry but OH turns the phone around halfway through this.


He's got a proper waddle about him and is ever so clumsy at times, seemingly tripping over his own feet - obviously I'm petrified of having another dog with HD / ED - you can see his sashay in this video here:


A few photos:

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What a wonderful set of photos , how did he get so big :wink: It sounds like little Bear is doing very well indeed , biting apart and this should soon stop , Reubs was a shocker for biting and then at around 15/16 weeks , he stopped doing it , so fingers crossed for you too . I love the photos of them together , what a handsome pair they make xx
 
Aw, so lovely! Bear has a great sashay, very much like Squidge's (and her hips have been tested and are fine). I love watching Squidge move; her suspension is so obviously better than the twins'. I'll try to get some video over the next couple of days (if this incessant rain ever lets up!!).
 
Aw, so lovely! Bear has a great sashay, very much like Squidge's
That's good to know, I can't remember what Monty was like, only that he was stiff and walked with funny hips from around four months - we even spoke about going to the vet the other day, but obviously don't want to be like a complete neurotic dog mum (yet)
 
What happy, happy dogs. You can tell the boys just love each other.

I want to cautiously say that you sound better, despite the holes in your calves (or trouser legs)...how are you feeling?
Ok, but it's still hard working managing the two of them, much harder than puppy alone, I think. Monty is learning a little bit to take the escape routes we offer him; I'm not sure if we should be separating them more when play gets a bit rough - though the way I see it, in another 3-4 months Bear is going to be stronger than Monty. Monty still has scope now to keep Bear in check, and I want to give him those choices (frankly, if I were Monty, one of those choices would be a good drubbing) but though he sounds a lot more growly and vocal, his actions are as placid as ever.
Bear is sleeping better, and a bit later which is good. It's a pain that the lounge is out of bounds so we can;t all relax together in the evenings -we still can't trust him to be in there more than ten minutes without weeing on the carpet or rugs. Going out for walks helps,in terms of tiring him out. we sometimes do 15 minutes all together, then Bear and I chill out somewhere for a bit while Monty and OH carry on, then they meet us back later for the last stretch. We aren't sticking to the 5 mins / month thing, but everything is at Bear's own pace, and as much off lead as possible.
 

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
though the way I see it, in another 3-4 months Bear is going to be stronger than Monty. Monty still has scope now to keep Bear in check, and I want to give him those choices (frankly, if I were Monty, one of those choices would be a good drubbing) but though he sounds a lot more growly and vocal, his actions are as placid as ever.
I wonder if when Bear is bigger if Monty will be less lenient with him. He knows Bear is a baby so perhaps he's being more indulgent than he will be when Bear is actually bigger and stronger than him. Bear turning into a stroppy teenager might mean a change in tactic from Monty, too. It will be interesting!

You DO sound better, even if it's still hard and work is no joy either. You are doing a great job - they are both healthy and happy - and someday in the not TOO far future they will let you sleep in and have a cuddle all together in the lounge. Hang in there, girl! ❤
 
wonder if when Bear is bigger if Monty will be less lenient with him. He knows Bear is a baby so perhaps he's being more indulgent than he will be when Bear is actually bigger and stronger than him. Bear turning into a stroppy teenager might mean a change in tactic from Monty, too. It will be interesting!
I hadn't thought of this, watch this space
Aw he’s growing up! Seems like some of Monty’s calmness has rubbed off a bit? They are lovely together :heart:
Sorry, no, I just selectively edit what I post! Bear has his calm moments, but not when monty's around unfortunately.
 
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