No More "Company Manners"...I'm part of the family now!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well tomorrow it will be one week since we brought our Murphy home. I'm not sure how to even describe this week. The first several days our Murph was "Mr. Perfect". I know Guinness thought he was a real "goody goody". Guinness loved to lead him astray, and then when the puppy did do something wrong, Guinness would bark to tell me. He showed him where all the wastebaskets were, and when Murph took something out Guinness would bark like crazy (and he doesn't bark). Tonight while I was on DK, they were playing "tug" (which is normal for them...it's their favorite game), and then I realized what they were "tugging" was a makeup remover tissue that they got from the bathroom garbage. I know that door was closed...I'm thinking together they could throw their bodies against it to open it up. Guinness could never do that before. Anyway, back to Mr, Perfect. He was sweet, always obedient and hopelessly adorable. Now he's feeling very comfortable and is beginning to test the limits. I'm actually pretty happy about it because I think it means he's comfortable.

We're very tired in this household. The two boys decided for the last two days that 5:00 AM was a perfect time to start playing. Guinness stands by the crate, and the two of them cry/bark until we get up and let them out. Yes, 5:00 AM. Guinness really hates that the puppy is in the crate anyway. Even at night when we put Murphy in their to go to sleep, Guinness is not happy. He paces in front of the crate for a while before he can settle down.

The brothers really seem to love each other, but it has been an adjustment week for Guinness. They are still trying to decide who will be boss. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the boss. They seem to be trading back and forth being the "alpha male". Murphy takes every single toy away from Guinness the minute he picks it up...and Guinness lets him. They take turns "humping" each other, but Guinness is confused. Half of the time he "humps" from the front. Murphy doesn't quite know what to make of that. Guinness is needing lots of "lovin". The only time he ever jumps on me is when he needs me to pick him up and give him hugs and kisses. Tonight he just couldn't get enough. At the beginning Murphy wasn't much of a "cuddler". He really seemed like he could "take it or leave it". For the past two days when he sees me holding Guinness, he wants me to hold him too. I won't be able to do that for long. We'll be able to cuddle on the bed, but I sure won't be able to pick him up.

Potty training was going fantastic until the rain hit. Murphy was using his bells and the only accidents we had were when they were playing, and Murph just got overexcited and peed. Well we've had torrential rains today, and the puppy hates the rain. He would much rather pee in the house than go out in that nasty weather. I really do get that, but if I'm going out in it, he NEEDS to pee. Of course, we keep taking him out on the regular schedule, but all he wants to do is get back inside. Thank heavens for the Little Green Machine....it will be working overtime tomorrow.

Murphy is very skinny. It's been worrying me, and I've been trying to "fatten him up" a little. The vet called today, and he has giardia and hook worms. That may be the problem. So now I have both of them on the meds (preventative for Guinness). A second puppy is just like a second child. I remember how I "freaked out" when I heard that Guinness had giardia. You all talked me through that trauma. When I got the news today it felt like "no big deal". I knew what to do and that it would be just fine.

My "cowboy Murphy" is a fearless little guy who seems to be totally confident and afraid of nothing (except his brush...he is terrified of that which is another story). We were having our evening "cuddle time" on the bed last night while I watched TV and before I even knew what happened he jumped off. I almost had heart failure. It didn't phase him in the least. He wanted to go into the bathroom and lay on the floor where it was cooler. He's just 11 weeks and shouldn't be jumping off of beds...I guess he didn't know that. Now I'll have to watch him like crazy if I even let him on the bed at all. Today Guinness was in his bed sound asleep. Murphy decided he wanted that bed (and there are beds all over this house) so he just stretched out right on top of Guinness, who at that point couldn't move and could barely breathe. Of course, Guinness moved and he got the bed he wanted.

So, it's been a really fun week getting to know our little Dood. He is coming into his own and really showing his personality. He even walks with an attitude. His first obedience class is tomorrow and I can't wait to see how he does. It's been easy to train him here because he copies Guinness. I wonder how that will translate in the class. Already he does sit, stay, come and down. The whole time he is looking at Guinness to see what he will do and then he follows. Watch, without Guinness tomorrow, he probably look at me like he's never heard any of these commands. It will really be interesting.

So that's the summary of week number one. I am in love....tired, but in love. I'm also so proud of Guinness who has been totally amazing.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Oh how cute!!! Puppy laying on Guinness. No fair!! I think u r right, Murphy feels comfortable now. You must be exhausted. Every day is Christmas for these two, right!! I love your blogs. Dogs really do have their own personalities, don't they? I think Guinness should get to be King, he was first, but then I'm the oldest child so I'm biased.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

you will get through it!!! Let us know how training goes!

[Lorraine Bromley]

That sounds like a fun house hold. When Neely went to school he was so good at everything then we got to school and he looked like he needed special ed! Too many cool puppies to play with. Finally they all setttled down in the last few weeks. He didn't pass at the head of the class but third best with a close second! (maybe)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh, 10:00 AM....I remember those days. I just want a nap. Not going to happen today. I've got puppy training at 12:30 and then back to the Training Center again at 4:00 for Guinness's TDI training. I'll be driving Doods around all day....in the rain. Oh well, sleep is overrated, right?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Good Morning Jane,
Hahahahaha I was able to sleep until 10:00 Although we were up until 2:00 or we would have been up at 5:00am also. Our baby is also on that early early schedule. It would be great to train our puppies that they must get up early during the week and late on weekends.
Thanks for sharing your first week. I have had no down time here but loving every minute of having another puppy in our home! It is almost as busy as having a human baby. We are also potty training. The rain yesterday gave Starlit the Zoomies and she would forget all about what she was supposed to be doing out there. Oh well, it will come
Congratulations again!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

whoa I completely forgot this was spring forward weekend until reading this thread. LOL But Jane it sounds like you had a great first week.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You called it Nancie. 4:00 AM start for the Doods. We also had a 2:30 AM potty trip this morning. Gotta love Daylight Savings.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Uh oh...tomorrow will be a tough morning. Daylight Savings really messes up dogs. If they get up at 5:00 am it will only be 4:00 for you!!!! Maybe you had better put them in a very dark room so they can't see the sun come up...ha ha. I love the updates you send. Keep them coming!

[shelly]

Awe Carmilla. I truly enjoyed "sharing" your week with you, Guinness and Murphy. Sounds like he's really finding his place in your family.Can't wait to hear how he does in class tomorrow! Good luck!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks so much for writing this. It was really fun to read, I felt like I was right there the whole time watching Murphy and Guinness. I guess somewhere I missed that Murphy will be so much bigger than Guinness. This is gonna be fun. Keep writing.