Never underestimate the sensitivity of a Gt. Dane

Have you ever had one of those days when NOTHING goes right no matter how hard you try?
Monday was one of those days for us.
Having had Baxter at home for only three weeks and trying to housebreak him was going so-so. At times it seemed he was really trying. When on the patio he was going over to the gate and pacing to let us know he needed to go to the play pen. And, he had never had a stool in his crate.
All of that changed when his routine, and ours for a day, changed.
We had it planned. We were heading to a concert in Danbury Monday afternoon. It would all work out. We knew when we were leaving and when we would be home. Baxter would be all right. His schedule would be maintained. After all, we were making progress.
It didn’t work out quite so.
He didn’t get fed on schedule. We were gone way longer than expected. Surprisingly his crate was clean when we got home around 11. I stayed up with him until about 12:30 a.m. so he would have some time out.
At 1:45 a.m. he started to scream. Should I ignore it? I did for about 5 minutes. It got louder and louder.
I went to him and found him surrounded by stool. We took him out, cleaned him and his crate up and put him back to bed. Went back to sleep until 4:30 a.m. and he was screaming. Back outside and back to bed until an hour later when he screamed again. The poor guy was having diarrhea.
His routine was changed and his bowels were in an uproar. Thank goodness for white rice.
He is a sensitive gentle giant.
It has taken two days of constant routine to get back on course.

Lead breaking is a fine art

Boy am I full of hot air sometimes and yesterday was a fine example.
I was proclaiming Baxter lead broke. He is, really, in the yard with Chester and his moms as his only distractions.
In the yard he has learned the routine.
Yesterday driving to High Plains walking track Baxter was perched on the passenger seat watching everything, cocking his head when something caught his interest.
As we approached the track a tree was being chopped down on Orange Center Road opposite the track. Did I think twice about it? NO.
I got Baxter out of the car and confidently began walking. He sat and wouldn't move.
Read - Mom this is all new and strange to me. Besides - those noises scare me.With a little coaxing he reluctantly began to follow.
We did this back and forth thing for about a half hour. I was glad to be able to get him back to the car walking.
Leash training will be more of a challenge to me than I thought.
I am finding all this puppyhood stuff more of a challenge than I remembered.
And, I am not getting any younger, only older.

How many toys does it take to keep Baxter content?

He just keeps GROWING. Tomorrow he will be weighed again. Last Wednesday he weighed 32 pounds. I am guessing he is closer to 40 pounds. He feels like 50 pounds when I pick him up!
Yesterday he discovered the Toy Box. A collection of more than a dozen stuffed squeaky toys that we have collected over the years. He pulled every single one out and brought them over to his bed and proceeded to play with each and every one of them. It was absolutely hilarious to watch him go from one toy to the next. Some he picked up and carried around for a few minutes before moving on to the next one.
Then he collapsed and went to sleep for a few minutes.
An absolute joy to watch and love.
We are going for our first walk at the walking track at High Plains in a little bit. Fingers crossed!

Eating and housebreaking tribulations

I want the best for our new bundle of joy. Doesn't everyone want to do what is right for their new addition to the family?
I saw this nice heavy weight stainless steel bowl at Petco. It has a rubberized bottom to keep it from sliding around while your pet is eating and drinking.
It LOOKED like it would be the appropriate size for a 10-week old puppy.
A week later Baxter can hardly fit his ever-growing mouth inside it.
He is growing like a weed. At least the weed isn't poison ivy!
He truly is a smart boy.
Before he is allowed to eat I have been making him sit and stay. Good lessons in self control.
Last evening he did it on his own!
This morning he needed a gentle reminder. He is also heading to his crate after eating for a little quiet time. Something Gt. Danes needs to do after eating to decrease the likelihood of bloating, a life-threatening emergency.
Leash breaking is coming along quite well. We have Dr. Tracy Johnson to thank. Thanks Tracy.

Leash training underway

Baxter has already become a part of our constant routine.
We are into one week with Baxter and I decided to give Dr. Tracy's leash breaking tip a try.
It worked.
He is getting comfortable playing on the leash. It is a positive work in progress.
I was soo not looking forward too a screaming scared dog. She is absolutely right. Make everything new step a fun one.
House breaking is moving along. Not as quickly as the leash breaking. But I have to remember that he has a tiny bladder. And frequent trips outdoors is the best way to keep the elimination under control.
Tomorrow marks one week in his new home.

Baxter has arrived!

He is here. Resting on the dog bed he commandeered from poor Chester.
The little bundle of joy wasn't in his new home more than an hour - at the most - he has already learned what comfort is. Two dog beds with orthopedic foam on top of each other.
I really think he likes the bed(s) because it resembles a mountain to him.
And he is a house-breaking challenge. Thank goodness I have Dr. Tracy Johnson to lean on for suggestions. She has already been a big help.
We start basic obedience classes the last Sunday this month in Bethany. I am sure it will be an experience for all of us to remember. Those two legged and four as well.

One week and counting!

Just one week to go and Baxter will be in his new home.
This has been a long ordeal on many levels.
Baxter’s mother died about two weeks after having the litter. His littermates had some difficulties with one of them developing a skin infection which put the litter on antibiotics. If it wasn’t for the antibiotics Baxter would already be in his new home.
I think we are set.
• New grain free food to decrease the likelihood of bloating.
• A small crate with a divider so as not to give him too much room at first.
• Special teething bone.
• Big brother Chester who will teach him how to come and listen to moms.
All we need is Baxter!
One week and counting.