Our Lives

Oh my! I was just looking at previous blogs and noticed that the last time I posted about Enzo he had been or pup for 14 weeks. We are now up to 26 weeks of puppy ownership and I must say, it’s getting better every day. Even thinking now it seems like you really don’t know where the time goes.

Veronica and I can now sit in the living room and enjoy a movie with Enzo laying on his bed enjoying a bully stick or his bone. Before it was a time wrought with frustration and many stop and starts of the movie. Progress. This also makes me somewhat understand why people seem to not know when their children really just grew up. We can never pinpoint that exact moment of change, but Enzo has shown how seamlessly it progresses.

When Enzo graduated intermediate obedience class, Veronica and I were conflicted about moving right into the advanced class. A couple things swayed our decision of opting to wait a couple of months.

1. The class started the week after we finished intermediate class.
2. It was on Tuesday evenings which didn’t fit with Veronica’s class schedule, and consequently doesn’t work with my Taekwondo schedule.
3. Enzo has some maturing to do.

Most of the decision was swayed by Enzo’s maturity. He still exhibits very puppy like behaviors and we thought it best to give him a few months of growing up and consistency on the intermediate front before we started him in the advanced class. Upon satisfactory completion of the the advanced course, Enzo can test for his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification. We are very hopeful that he and we will be able to complete the tasks for him to be considered at CGC.

Enzo’s current position in the household

We will keep you updated!

Sean

This past Sunday marked Enzo’s 12th week in this world. It’s our 4th week with him which means he’s had 3 solid weeks of our routine (Veronica and I took a vacation to Michigan, so he stayed at Swanson’s Streamway Doggie Daycare). I must say the differences over the past 3 days have been incredible. Enzo is starting to get big first of all. He’s about 22lbs currently and stands about 13″ at the withers. We’ve noticed a few things along the way and learned a lot already.

I know that they say puppies are puppies until roughly 6 months, but Enzo is a quick learner. He has started testing the limits of where he can go and what he can jump towards but Veronica and I both have been steady with our discipline and he’s learning what he can and cannot do. For instance, the kitchen has an island in it and his boundaries are to stay out of the ‘L’ shape that has the stove and dishwasher in it. 80% of the time he manages this on his own. The other 20% of the time we have to correct him. It only takes a couple of corrections and he scoots on out of there. Another sign of maturity is his ability to sit when asked as well as stay. He’s learned down and will do most of these commands the first or third time you ask.

We recently (last Sunday) started puppy obedience classes at PetSmart. This is a basic introductory class and teaches simple commands as well as basic puppy things (potty training, bite inhibition, etc.). Our homework this week was to “load” our clickers so that our puppies will respond to the click as an understanding that they did a good job. The clicker also bridges the gap between their brains understanding they did the right thing and us getting them a treat. That 1.x second can be the make it or break it period. To say the least, Enzo has picked this up quickly. So quickly in fact he knows to look away after he gets his treat and look right back before the click. (Our instructions were to click when he’s not paying attention so he’ll react to it). Veronica and I are both very excited to keep up the classes and learn and grow with Enzo.

Another milestone this past weekend was Enzo graduating from his small travel kennel to his big wire kennel. We bought him a bed in hopes that we could move it in the living room and he would sleep on it during the evening when we watch TV. So far it has been a test of who can last longer him or us on keeping him from chewing on the couch cushions. He loves his bed, that is definitely not the problem. The day we bought it and brought it home, he jumped on it and LOVES being there. The only thing that tears him away from that is the sunbeam (Which he is currently basking/sleeping in). We decided to help him deal with is new bigger kennel we’d lay his new snazzy bed in there. That was the trick. He comfortably sleeps there most of the night and we keep getting a little bit more sleep. Soon Enzo will make it through the night without having to be taken out.

His walks are going swimmingly as well once we get him away from the house. He has some sort of barrier in his brain where he doesn’t like leaving the view of the house. Once past that he walks on a loose leash either right beside us or behind us. YAHOO! we’ve got him walking properly and it’s only been 4 weeks. I can’t imagine what 4 months will bring.

Until next time here are our most recent pictures.

Today is even better than yesterday. Our little pup is learning, adjusting, and growing up quite quickly. Last night Veronica and I challenged him to go 4 hours between potty breaks to allow us to get a little more sleep. It basically worked. He managed to make it from 10pm – 1:45am. Our goal was 2am.  I took him out. He then managed to make it from 1:50am-5:45am! Yahoo! He’s getting it. And we’re getting more sleep.

He’s also beginning to sleep longer during the day. That’s a good thing too because it will allow me to get to work longer hours during the day instead of just at night.

The best part is he’s starting to go farther on walks. At first it was just around the house. Then up the cul-de-sac and back. Then after a bit it was 2-3 times up the cul-de-sac and back. Now we can get a bout 2 blocks from the house and back and he seems to do good. Sometimes it takes a lot of stop and go coaxing to get him moving, but after that he generally walks quite nicely. Right by my side or slightly behind me. He gets distracted by passing cars but I don’t let him dwell in his anxiety so he just goes back to normal right afterward.

We have currently had lunch and had a romp out in the back yard. The sun is shining and the snow is melting so it made for a good bit of fun for Enzo. Now he’s cashed out at the back door in the sun beam! He’s a good one and he’s going to get better!

Later today is our first car ride and trip to the vet. I shall report on how that went!

Enzo pics day 5