Puppy Adventures Continued...

[Dawn and Molly]

I love my doodle.  She is the best thing to happen to our family.  I wouldn't trade her for the world... but she sure likes to keep us on our toes.  Kind of like my kids, she fits right in.  

We went on our first family vacation last month.  We stayed at my Aunt's beach house for a week with my brother and sister's families.  It was a really fun week.  I was super appreciative of the Doodle Kisses member who recommended the SleepyPod Sport Clickit harness for the car.  Molly didn't mind it at all and it kept her in one place while we were driving.  I use it all of the time now.  Anyway, we wound up visiting a beach while we were there and she got to play in the Ocean for the first time.  I figured out that she is definitely a water doodle.  On a side note, we went to a dog beach this week (the Bay) and I don't think I have seen her happier.

After her first beach trip, we decided to make a grooming appointment that week.  Probably not my best decision in retrospect.  She had three small mats and I wanted it a little shorter since I knew we would be in the water a lot.  My husband dropped her off and picked her up.  She has a little more separation anxiety if I leave, so I thought this would be better.  After he picked her up, the first text I got from him was that she jumped the groomer's door (that was up to his chest).  Then, he sent me a picture of her.  I am not going to lie.  I was pretty upset when I first saw her.  They cut it really, really short.  She looked like a different pup.  I have since realized that even though we were brushing her every day, we weren't' doing a good enough job.  I have also learned to bring a picture of what I want when I go to the groomer.  Also, don't make a grooming appointment when on vacation.  On a good note, the short cut has really grown on me.  I am actually really liking it now and it is easier to take care of.  One of my friends said she looks "athletic", lol.

So, vacation was an overall success and I am really happy we brought her.  After we got back, I started noticing more issues with her loose leash walking.  I don't know if it was the 7 different bunnies we would see on our walks at the beach, but she was pulling more than she had before.  I kept trying to be patient, doing all the things we had done before, but it didn't seem to be working.  I decided to try the Freedom no-pull harness.  It is working out great.  It is a short leash and she responds well to it.  We still have our moments when she would love to have squirrel stew, but we are working on it.  

Being home for the summer is pretty awesome.  I get to do a lot of fun stuff with Molly and my kids.  Did I mention that I am thinking of putting Molly in the dog olympics?  The category would be fence jumping.  I am making a joke now, but it has been really frustrating.  She is clearing our 4 foot chain fence to jump in my neighbor's yard.  Her BFF Gertie (a lab puppy ) is the temptation.  Or Gertie's antlers that she sees in the yard.  We are currently getting estimates on a new fence, not something in our budget for this year.  Sometimes you just have to do what is needed.  Looking at the positive side, she is only jumping into our neighbor's fenced yard and not into the neighborhood.  

We also just decided to get pet insurance.  I know a lot of people on this site recommend it.  Molly has a little bit of a sock/guarding issue.  We met with our trainer to work on this and it has gotten better.  However, Molly managed to get into my daughter's room this week and swallowed a pair of her underwear.  Luckily, she threw it up.  We figured pet insurance for our dare devil puppy would probably make good sense.

All in all our summer of puppy love has been awesome.  Did I mention that she is the best snuggler?  Or that she watches out for my young nephews?  She also plays really well with other dogs in the neighborhood.  I don't think I could love my adventure seeking, fence jumping, crazy doodle anymore.  

 

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks Nancy!  I am currently waiting for the fence estimate.  I am hoping 6 feet will work...

[Dawn and Molly]

Janet- Thanks again for the recommendation.  I just feel a lot better knowing she is in one spot in the back, lol.  

[Janet & Jaxson]

Enjoyed reading about your adventures! I'm the one that recommended the Sleepypod car harness. So glad you like it. I love it and use it all the time!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I enjoyed reading about your beach vacation with Molly. She certainly is a jumper! I'll bet you have to put extensions on your fence soon. :-}

[Dawn and Molly]

Amy- that is so cute with your grandson.  I kind of felt that way too with Molly at first, lol.  I really kind of like it now.  

Linda- Thanks so much.  I hope you have a nice summer too!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Love your blog Dawn.  Molly is a very lucky girl to have a family that loves her so much.  Enjoy your summer!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Cute, your vacation sounds fun. I have done the beach vacation home rental with my daughters and their families but that was before Annabelle. She went to the groomers the other day. It is in the neighborhood of where my daughter lives, so I stopped by after picking her up. My 3 year old grandson wanted me to go back and get the other Annabelle. It was kind of funny, but sad at the same time. I do keep her short in the summer because she spends so much time in the water and rolling in the dirt and whatever else she can get into. Since grooming isn't one of her favorite things to do no matter the treat or how much, it is easier on both of us to keep it short.