Day 1: Completed.

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:09:00 -1000

Since we picked her up yesterday, Ibuki (what we named our Corgi) is a handful.

I had dreams prior to actually getting her that she was the most well-behaved dog who always went into her crate, never chewed anything, and walked on her leash perfectly.

However, they were just that. Dreams.

She started off whining when she would be left in her crate, and would simply walk out of it once I lured her inside with a toy or treat, as recommended.

After being unsuccessful in getting her to enjoy her crate (which is the key to crate training; dogs need to feel that the crate is their own private “den,” so that they can go there to relax), I sent frazzled text messages to fellow puppy owner Risa, asking her what she did with her adorable Akita puppy Bushido.

Thankfully, Risa responded quickly and thoroughly, suggesting that I physically block off the exit with my body, the way a wolf mother (a fellow pack animal, like the dog) would prevent her young from doing things that she herself does not want in order to assert dominance.

I immediately tried this, and after she tried squirming between my arms, she laid down in the crate! Even when I took my arms out of the entrance, she laid there and closed her eyes. I waited a bit, then closed the door (never close the door on a puppy who isn’t relaxed in their crate), and she stayed asleep.

I can now keep her in the crate when I can’t really keep an eye on her (like right now, since I’m writing this) for a couple of hours before she wakes up and gets restless. I mainly use the time she’s in there to sleep. Last night, I had to wake up at midnight, then 3, then 6, then 9 to let her out to eliminate. Luckily, she’s been pretty consistent with using the pads!

Her first vet visit with us and not the breeder is next week. Hopefully I can get her used to her crate before then so the car ride isn’t too bad.

[ctrl + n]

Sun, 06 May 2012 21:23:46 -1000

It’s time for a fresh start.

Since the last time I used a blog, I was living in Hawaii (where pretty much my entire family lives), and I was a college student. Now, I am a college graduate who has moved to southern California.

Despite the huge changes in my life, the one thing that pushed me to get started on this is this:

I got a new dog (well, I put down the deposit for a new dog, rather)! It is a female, and we pick her up on Thursday. After reading up a lot on how to care for a new puppy, I came to learn that keeping a journal will help in keeping track of things such as when the puppy gets sick and how she is faring in terms of discipline and growth, while also giving outside people the ability to check up on her (and me, to a certain extent)!

…I hope I end up actually using this.

[ctrl + s]

Day 1: Completed.

[ctrl + n]