Update #2 on my life with Auggie

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Auggie turned 4 months old last Saturday and I found myself smiling while watching his antics and feeling all cozy, happy, and warm inside. Just two months ago I thought I would go insane and I secretly  cursed people who encouraged me to get a second dog, with my DH being at the top of the list. So what changed?

First of all, 2 months make a huge difference in the life of a puppy. Puppies mature and learn fast. That's really good news.

Auggie is doing well ringing the bells when he needs to go potty. We are not 100% solid, he gets distracted when playing with Monty too far away from the backyard door. But I've seen him run from the front door, through the dining room, all the way through the kitchen to the backyard door to ring the bell. So we are getting there. Thanks to Karen's advice he had his first firm poop in weeks. He is allowed in all the rooms of the house when supervised and I just love how he brings his bully stick from his kitchen area into the living room in the evening and plops down right next to us.

I'm also happy to report that as of last Sunday, Auggie feels more comfortable during car rides and I don't have to clean the car (and the dog) after each ride. Perhaps he stopped being nauseous in the car after he stole his homeopathic drops bottle off the kitchen table and chewed it all up. He was supposed to get 10 drops before each car ride, but that did not really work. I guess he's decided he needed to empty the whole little bottle to get rid of his car sickness.

Auggie's first obedience class started last Saturday. The trainer forgot to mention to me that the first session is for humans only. So Auggie got a private lesson from a second trainer while I was being educated on responsibilities of owning a puppy. When I went to pick up Auggie from the back training room, the trainer announced "I'm in love with your puppy. He is so mellow." She obviously has not seen him in the house with Monty. But it made me feel good. I have myself noticed that when away from house, or even separated from his older brother, Auggie is very calm and attentive. A totally different puppy. Our homework this week to tether the puppy to us for an hour a day. Well, it's kind of hard when the pup follows you around the house anyways. Another homework was to make the puppy sit if he wants anything. Well, he already does that. Also, we were supposed to work on the "leave it" command, which I found really challenging since once I have a treat in my hand, Auggie sits down as he is supposed to. I then toss another treat on the floor and I'm supposed to block him from getting to it. He never gets up from the sit and just keeps looking at me without any attempts to get to the treat on the floor. 

And finally, what really prompted me to write this was what happened this morning. My DH gets up at 5:45 and before he leaves for work, he takes Auggie out to go potty, plays with him, feeds him and puts him back in the crate at 6:30 as he leaves. I'm always upstairs sleeping with Monty on our bed. I heard my DH leaving this morning as usual and it was quiet downstairs in the kitchen where Auggie's crate is. 10 minutes later Monty jumps off the bed and whines by the bedroom door asking to go out. He needed to go potty. So I walked him downstairs and let him out, which of course, woke Auggie up. I tried to ignore that and Monty and I went back to bed. The little guy was not happy and kept barking in his crate downstairs. Since I'm a sleepy-head and was not ready to get up at 6:45, I got up and went downstairs to get Auggie out of his crate. He was happy as a clam to see me. I picked him up and carried him upstairs into the bedroom and got under the covers. He settled between my legs and fell asleep. So I had Monty sleeping on my DH's side of the bed and a little bugger sleeping peacefully between my legs for another hour, placing his chin on my leg few times. I only dozed off a little bit, trying to stay awake to keep an eye on him and also absorb all the love. It felt great.

Monty was 5 months old when he decided he no longer wants to sleep in his crate downstairs. I'm wondering when Auggie realizes that everyone else is upstairs at night and will want to ditch the crate. I don't think he is nowhere near as ready as Monty was at that age, but who knows. A month in puppy's life can make such a huge difference.

Auggie, I'm sorry I was so negative about you at the beginning. You are a sweet boy and I love you, my Itty-Bitty-Buddy-Boo.

[Rachel and Ollie]

this is sooo true. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

It's just so funny how different they are. Monty is the impatient one, but the first time I asked him to jump up to look out of a house window, he put his front paws on me for support rather than the wall under the window. Auggie can sit and wait patiently, and yet, he is the fearless one surfing the counters (actually not anymore since I taught him to sit if he wants anything) and running behind all the bushes in the backyard. I took the boys to a huge dog park today and Auggie immediately joined a different pack. He did later on followed me and Monty, but he just could not care less that I'm not around. Monty always just sticks around me.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

What a great update! so glad things are better. Auggie is adorable!

[Lynda Kamrath]

You are definitely right that every dog has their own personality.  My three doodles have been so different in their looks and their behaviors.  But they are all wonderful in their own ways.  You will grow to love this little guy just as you did with Monte.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Awwww

[Jennifer and Jack]

I love it!!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Aw, cute guy! Loved the update

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Hooray!  This is the greatest news.  I wondered when Auggie would show his true (and wonderful) colors.  He certainly is a keeper.  What fun you will have with him.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This gives me great hope as I am about to take the plunge...Auggie is definitely growing to be another great Doodle.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

When is your new puppy coming, Nicky?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I loved this update, Jarka!  I think you hit the jackpot with your two boys....truly a happy ending story.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I loved your update.  I think you have two beautiful doodles...and both so smart :)  Even though Auggie's different then Monty, I think he's going to be drop dead gorgeous, just like Stuart, as he grows.  One thing nobody tells you when you get a second puppy is that it's a different family dynamic.  I bet with Monty, you were the center of his universe.  But Auggie has you and Monty, which I'm guessing gets him into puppy trouble. I had to laugh wondering how much of Auggie's antics are his personality and how much is him trying to get his very own attention :)  Early morning bed bonding is just the best isn't it??  You're so lucky.  Looking forward to hearing more about the boys...