Christmas morning is for....

Posing on the sofa with the Holiday collar I have to wear.......

Being told to sit....still....while there is so much to sniff and I want to get treats!!!!!!

Now we have to pose for more photos, and our stockings are right there with all the family's.

Playing while we wait for the family to get out of bed....jingle, jingle!

Christmas morning is for being thankful we have a loving home....and wishing all pupparoos had one like ours.....

In and out

I think that Tucker looked so funny with the doggie door.  Half in and then half out he just thinks this "toy" we set up just for him is great fun!

Tucker could do this all day if we let him, but as I have said before, he is not trustworthy with his house training.  He will GO out on the deck if we don't watch him like a hawk.  

Stewie's opinion is less than enthusiastic of Tucker using "his" door.  I think he preferred it the way it was as an escape door before we taught Tucker to use it.  Sorry Stewie!  Every time Stewie goes in or out Tucker follows him.  

So that Stewie doesn't get thoroughly annoyed with the little (oh...Tucker is bigger) guy, I give him an out of the kitchen pass to run off to the rest of the house where Tucker is not allowed to go freely.  

Teach me and I'll teach you!

Today Tucker is 12 weeks old.  These past 4 weeks sure went by quickly!  We all have learned a lot about each other and puppy love does cast a spell to make us bond.  Who can resist those puppy dog eyes?

Last week I brought Tucker into the Vet's office to hand over his fecal (another story), bring in the shot record since we gave him his shot and also to weigh him.  At 8 weeks he was 6 pounds, 10 ounces and at 11 weeks he was 8 pounds and 8 ounces.  Nice going Tucker!  

So what have we both learned?

Tucker has learned to sleep in his crate all night long.  (Thank you....)


Tucker is learning to sit, come, wait, take it and down.  Some better and some need more practice.  Treats make it so fun.  We all chuckle at Tucker when we say "Tucker come!" as just before he gets to you he does this hysterical leap in the air.  I don't know if he thinks this is part of the come or what.  

Tucker is learning that brushing him is going to happen.  He isn't wild about the brush but we try to make it pleasant as we can.


Tucker is learning where to pee and poo though he has a ways to go.  Still he has been really good in the house but the back deck is an issue.  Well, it is outside...confusing for him I think.


What have we learned?  You can't leave the potatoes and onions in their baskets on the pantry room floor.  Who knew Tucker would have a thing for sweet potatoes.  So now I have to figure out how to deal with this because that door is always opening and it is in our kitchen where we like to let him play outside his puppy pen (after he pees /poos).  


I did set this photo op up.  I had to because it is so cute of him sneaking the sweet potato to Stewie's bed.  He does it very quietly and it is heavy that sweet potato!  Ahhhhh.....

Tucker waiting to take the sweet potato

Tucker with his prize!

We learned that you have to be on your toes to get him outside to go potty even when you just want to sit down and relax.  No ifs, and, or buts about it.


We learned that Tucker needs lots of play time of running, jumping, sniffing, and more running.  


We learned that cuddle time is very important too.


We learned that it will take time and TLC for Tucker and Stewie to get to accept each other.   Tucker wants to be a buddy really bad but Stewie is slower. 

King of the Butcher Block Island

Tucker, Tucker, Tucker....since day one he has been excited about our Butcher Block Island (BBI).  At 8 weeks he could sleep under it but had problems climbing up on the first level.  That didn't last long.  Then he would clumsily climb up on it and lay there.  Next it was the jump up.  Now he hurls himself up there and acts like he just climbed Mt. Everest!  He looks down on those upon the kitchen floor like he is the King.  Stewie has never been interested in the BBI unless something falls from the heavens above.  That's what the BBI is for.  To look up and await a gift.

Tucker hasn't learned that yet.  For now he is content to lay on the wood and look out.  Or sometimes he runs around the kitchen and flies through it with leaps and bounds.  

Did I mention that Tucker is like a big ole' Teddy Bear?  He loves to be loved with hugs and kisses, then like a little kid he is ready to rock and roll out of your arms.  Zoom!  Off to tackle toys!

Here's Stewie and Tucker sort of playing.  But really Stewie is telling Tucker that the road kill chipmunk is his.  

This is Stewie with the his look he gives Tucker a lot.  Oddly he wags his tail at the same time.  Mixed message?

Lastly a photo with Stewie and his "I would love a biscuit" look.  I like his happy face much better than the snarly one.

Puppy Manners

Puppy manners are in order.  Mr. Tucker has decided to test us all, including Stewie who is doing a grand job of letting Stewie know that it is not acceptable to annoy him for too long.

Indeed Stewie is beginning, do I dare say, to sort of get along with Tucker.  He wants to be in the kitchen when I have Tucker out of his puppy pen.  He sniffs and allows to be sniffed.  He does not want to fully play but I think great strides have been made.  

Back to puppy manners.  In the beginning puppies are adorably cute at whatever they do.  Then they get mischievous with the games.  An example of Tucker is after he goes and does his "business" he was so easy to pick up.  Now he wants to play the game of chase and run.  As in get me to run after him.  Nope.  Will not play that game, because we know that I will lose this one and he will be smirking the whole time.

So what to do?  Collar and leash.  Yes, we have used the collar and leash but not all the time.  Out in our front yard yes, but the backyard had been fine.  Till know.  It's time for him to learn who is "Alpha" in this house.  Human family first and Stewie next.

Now he gets to follow around with me on the leash and learn to sit or down quietly.  To do this you need to make sure you have some toys or chewies for a pup to amuse himself with while you sit, as well as a pad for them to lay on if it is bare floor.  He gets to hang out with his "Alpha" human family so he isn't lonely.  Most of all to make sure play time is followed by this because pups do need to run and go crazy to burn off some burrs under the saddle.

With the change in weather I think I will take him out on the leash because there is nothing worse than running down a wet or possibly muddy pup in the wee hours or at night.  Get it over with and back into the warm house.

I also have started with sits and come.  He is getting the sit down as well as come.  Treats really help the process.  Little treats like a piece of his kibble.  


It's coming back all the dog training I have done with our Pupparoos....all coming back. 

Fall Leaves

The leaves are falling from the trees in front our house.  We've been taking Tucker out there with Stewie for some collar and leash time.  With hubby's suggestion, though I don't like them, we are using our extendable leash.  It does work nice as he can run and romp without the restraint of a 6 foot lead.  I try not to let it get to the end because of the potential jerk (that's why I don't like them).   

He's finally not always thinking about the collar or the leash and just play.  So many different smells, textures to walk on.  I've tried to get him by the chicken coop which he doesn't seem to want to do.  So I pick him up and we watch them.  


This has been a good way for Stewie and Tucker to play.  More like tolerate is how Stewie feels.  He knows just how far to stay away from being pounced upon!  

So funny to watch Tucker in a pile of leaves.  He wasn't sure of the feel then he decided it was just fun to bury his nose in and try to chew on the leaves.  I throw them up in the air which he thought was fun too.  

Stewie hasn't been into photo-ops...

Pupparoos!

A poochie blog?  Yep. 

I thought for fun that I would write one since pets are such an important part of our family.  Goodness only knows that we have had plenty since Tim and I have been married.  Why not?

That and we have added to the family!  Yes, we have a new little Shetland Sheepdog pup all of 8 weeks old.  A bit like taking care of a wee baby.  Back to being woken up in the night, sigh...this too shall pass.

If you like animals then I am sure you will enjoy some reading time here.  Grab a cup of tea or coffee and sit back.  

Pupparoos!?  Wondering where that came from?  My little endearment I have used for greeting our pups when I am with them.  That is plural for all and Pupperoo is for singular.  When you have pets you can come up with some silly names (you know you have too!).  Time will reveal all my besotted names for them....that and remembering what life is like with a puppy and how the blending of established pets and a new one happen.