MUCH better day!

As I mentioned to a fellow Tennessean, I was really feeling like a 'new puppy owner loser' yesterday and I'm glad to have read all the responses encouraging me and letting me know I'm in the 'norm'!!! Cool!

So my strategy was much more successful today, although I'm as whooped as Willow and my daughter! But it paid off!

Willow slept til about 6am, I promptly put her out (non-chalante, of course) to empty. Came back in (my daughter's up!) & fed both 'babies'!! LOL!!! Then....I let my daughter in on my new strategy since the weather went up a whopping 8 degrees. My daughter, Willow and I ventured out in 21 degrees for a morning workout! We 'ran' and walked the pup on leash in our neighborhood - not quite a 1/4 mile then let her loose in the yard where we played relay 'fetch' AND literally ran the pup in relays across the yard. Willow got exercise, I got exercise and my Mary got great exercise! Willow was happy and though still anxious when placed in her crate as we ran errands today (twice) we found her quiet when we initially came home!

After lunch and we were thoroughly digested - Round 2!!! Same drill, but this time, the weather was warmer and we had a blast! Both times of exercise, we brought treats to help distract from a pile of poo or other things - worked GREAT! And yes, did relays in the yard! Still trying to help my daughter become for fun yet firm but it's coming and I'm proud of her!

Only one accident (I had her in an open space and turned my back, drat!) and caught one in the act before bedtime and she finished nicely outside! So....was a GREAT day, dog is already asleep and happy, my daughter went to sleep right away and Mom here is enjoying a nice cab and going to take a long hot shower (without hearing whining from ANYONE!) shortly!!!!

It IS alot of work but my end goal is a happy, adjusted ADULT dog; I'm so thankful for this community! Looking forward to seeing how Willow 'matures' in the next 6 months and maybe twice a day 'runs' with the puppy will help me shed my winter coat!!! LOL!!!!

Blessings everyone!!!

RondaB

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