Time goes by so quickly...

[Dori & Rua]

Rua will be 9 months old in a few days...so hard to believe she has been with us for 7 months already.  I can't believe how much she has enriched my life and how much joy she brings to each of my days.  When I go to bed at night I can't wait to get up so I can see her.  Every now and then I realize how much has changed as she continues to mature.

 

Potty Training...we started out taking Rua out every hour or so and asking her to "go potty" and never letting her out of our sight.  Then one day I realize Rua asks us to take her out to "go potty" and we don't have to watch her like a hawk anymore. 

 

Going for a Walk...I remember trying to get her to walk "loose leash".  We practiced in the house...she walked next to me and looked up at me with total worship in her eyes.  Then we left the house...holy shipyard, you would have thought I was taking her to get whipped.  No way did she want to walk.  Slowly, she started coming around...she moved forward...unfortunately in military fashion...left...then right...then left.  Pulling and cross-crossing.  It was a long winter, so we are trying it again...what a difference.  There is no resemblance to a heel going on, but she is walking much better.  In fact, on Friday, I took Rua and PuffDog (the cat) out for a walk.  PuffDog was in a pet stroller (super bargain at PetSmart at $25) and Rua did a great job of walking beside us.  It is amazing how much easier it is (doesn't hurt at all that she is 16-1/2 lbs).

 

Fetch...went to the dog park on Saturday...only 6 little dogs on our side...Rua was actually the biggest.  She had fun.  I recently bought a Chuck-it, so I took it and some balls with me and thought I would wear her out a little bit.  Ummmm...guess I forgot that I never trained her to fetch.  I could get her to run after the ball...sometimes...but she would roll it with her nose or bat at it like a soccer ball.  So, I was the one who ended up getting worn out.  I was lucky, though, there were a few young boys that were more than happy to go fetch for a while.  I think their mom was happy they were getting worn out.

 

Barking...Rua likes to guard the entire front of our house....from inside...and doesn't like it when a car parks out front or our neighbor opens his garage door.  And heck, if anybody, especially with a dog goes by, oh my.  So, I started working on that.  Tried a spray bottle with lemon juice, but since I didn't want to spray her eyes or my floors or walls, I wasn't having any success.  So, I went to just water.  When I saw someone start to approach, and she was laying down being quiet, I would praise her...Yes, good girl, quiet.  When she starting barking, I would give her my disapproval sound and say "no bark"...and if she didn't stop, the water bottle came out.  Well, I don't know what I did wrong, but the other day, I said "Quiet" and she started barking and ran to the front door.  Oh my...I read and studied how to do it, but oops...I accidently taught her to bark when I say "quiet".  So, more training for me.

 

Sitting...when we started potty training, we would go to the door, ring the bell and ask her to ring it.  Then, we added a sit in there, so we could put her leash on, and when she came back it, a sit so we could take it off.   After months and months of "Rua Sit", I realized the other day, I don't have to say anything.  She "gets it". 

 

Saying good bye...I have learned that I CAN'T leave Rua home with DH unless I say good bye.  Usually on Saturdays, Rua and I always run errands.  Need to get dog food, or a new toy, or want a harness, etc.  I try to find "dog friendly" places to visit (we don't get a lot of company and people tend to keep to themselves in our neighborhood)...sporting goods store, dog bakery, plant/landscape place, pet stores & specialty shops, etc.  Well, a few weeks ago, I had to work for 4 hours on Saturday.  Went downstairs to say goodbye to DH bringing Rua down with me, and I went back upstairs, closing the baby gate behind me and left.  I was a few blocks away and my cell phone rings.  DH says in an accusatory voice "Did you say GOODBYE to Rua?"  I told him "Ummm, no, I guess I didn't"...He had to put Rua on the phone so I could say goodbye.  She was beside herself trying to find me...back and forth between the front door and the garage door.  Had to work again yesterday, so I got my purse and keys out, and DH held her while I said good bye.  He took her to the front window so she could watch me drive away.  She cried a bit after I left, but she at least settled down.

 

Well, the sun isn't cooperating today, nor is the temperature.  It is 47 out right now and looks like it will be cloudy for the rest of the day.  But, it isn't windy, so Rua and I will go romp at the dog park today!

 

Happy Easter to All!

 

[Lorraine Bromley]

She is such a sweet little girl.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Our little Rua is growing up, such a smart and pretty girl.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It is amazing how much she has learned in such a short time!  I love the way you taught her to bark on command!! LOL!!! They DO grow up too fast!! :( Rua has turned out to be an amazing doodle girl with great fashion sense!!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

They are so smart- and yes they grow too fast! Such a sweet story

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Dori, I enjoyed every moment of this blog. Rua sounds wonderful!! I can't believe how fast the time went. I remember when you got her.

[Jodi and Stella]

It's fun to look back and remember their growing up! Stella just turned nine months too, baby puppy phase is fun, but it seems like most of the work is over and now it is more enjoyable at this stage of puppyhood. Great post Dori!

[Camilla and Darwin]

It is amazing how fast time passes, and before you know it, they are grown up. Darwin is turning two in a week, and I CAN NOT believe it! He still feels like a puppy. You guys have fun at the dog park, happy Easter, and I will wish warmer weather your way!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Nice blog Dori, our Bella was 9 months old this week too. Reminds me of how far Bella has come and how far we still have to go. Have fun at the dog park and keep up the fetch lessons.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It is amazing how much they mature and change before we even notice. Rua is a lucky girl to have you for a doodle mom.

[F, Calla & Luca]

They do become dogs rather than puppies way too fast, although it doesn't always semm that way at the time.