We have PUPPIES!
That's right, Michael and I are fostering two little Terrier-PitBull mixes for the next three weeks. And let me tell you, these little boys are a handful. We decided to foster because I am going on tour so we do not want to get a dog until I get back and we figured fostering was a good way to learn what we are going to need to do when the time actually comes and to see if we can even handle a little baby puppy or if we may have to go for one already trained.
First off, I can tell you this, we will not be getting a pitbull of any sorts when its time to adopt. Not that these guys aren't cute as pie but they are a touch on the aggressive side and I think for our first dog we would be better off starting with something already apt to be calm and well trained, like a the lab we keep talking about getting.
Secondly this training thing is mighty hard! Now the people at the shelter told us they are not going to be really able to be housebroken until they are older than 8 weeks since their little bladders aren't big enough yet to understand how to "hold it" but a website I was looking at about training said they can begin to be housebroken as young as 4 weeks so I think I am going to try to start. It's hard when you don't see them poop everytime!
They just got their first bath which went mostly well. They were a little stressed out after a while that they couldn't get out of the tub themselves and I had to dry them with a hairdryer since they are not old enough to keep their body temperature settled themselves.
Another problem? Walks. They don't understand the concept and have no desire. They have more fun rolling around the front yard and biting their leashes than actually making any forward progress. I am trying to enforce the concept on them so they start to learn but also so they start to accept that I am boss. I will update on this process as it continues to progress.
Crate training is going fairly well. They did soil their crate last night but they stayed in it all night with only a bit of fuss at the start. We have to physically put them in the crate at this point so we will see if they get better with going in themselves. Little entices them at this point. They aren't too fond of toys or treats, just my feet, so it's hard to find incentive for good behavior but I will continue to work on it.
I am slightly worried about tonight, since I have my show and Michael is coming so we will be leaving the house around 4:30 and not getting home until 11:30. 7 hours is a long time for the little guys and I am trying to figure out wether we should crate them or just keep them closed off in the kitchen. We will see what we decide.
