18 Weeks - 4 Months

Victoria Day weekend had us all scrambling to keep Miss C off the limestone screening of our reconstructed patio.  Despite the sunny promises...we got MORE rain.  The back vegetable garden is still under renovation and Clover doesn't mind romping ankle deep in construction mud.  My kitchen mop is looking rather pathetic and beginning to smell, uhm, worse.  Ick!

...and even MORE rain later in the week! Yep, you guessed it, HIDE the toilet paper.  What?

I've really had to coast these last several days.  I've been feeling rather lousy and finding it hard to manage my usual family chaos.  The dog got a lot less walking and I got a lot more mischief.  But I'll make it up to her.

17 Weeks - 4 Months

Waiting by the back door

17 weeks 26.6 lbs

I dare say the house training is complete?  A dog that constantly has their nose to the ground, makes deciphering between the desire to pee and tracking a trail somewhat tricky.  We've only been accident free about three weeks.   It's much easier to manage my other responsibilities without the need to run outside every half hour...just in case. That's 36 times a day! The back door bell has improved our canine communication, in fact it's been a Godsend. Well, except that she's decided to use it for any reason to access the yard, including her daily worm dig.

Yep.  As it turns out the damage that I thought was due to a pesky grub seeking skunk was actually the dog.  Oops! It probably started in the wee hours when I was too visually compromised to notice. There are tiny holes about the size of an egg, scattered about. Clover unearths annelids regularly. I swear it's one of the strangest things I've ever witnessed. Let's face it,  I can accept the grass will not see it's historical lush golf green, but geez, is she a Vizsla or red breasted robin?  And of course the devastation is glorified by the devouring such creatures with a spaghetti-noodle-like slurp. Eeewww.  

The result of retrieving earthworms from the lawn

Clover's obedience work continues.  This is the developmental stage where we discover her actively questioning authority.   Fortunately we are as stubborn as she, and we'll see it through.  It's interesting to compare notes with other owners who may be less concerned with more than a few puppy classes.  I imagine to them, we must seem a bit over the top with the training.  Ok, perhaps more than a bit.

I remember growing up with an Irish Setter that would melt your heart with his gentle temperament, but realistically he had the manners of a bull in a china shop.  There was no walking, it was more like a dragging.  He was a food bandit, an ambitious door greeter, a six foot fence hopper and generally speaking, couldn't keep his paws or tongue off anything.  Like our V, that dog had more pep than an eight cylinder engine,  and, as my parents confess, for eleven of those sixteen years he never slowed down.  In hindsight he needed a job.  

That is why I put a ton of effort into this spongy puppy brain. I figure I owe it to our sanity, our active social life and Clover's enjoyment, to provide a work outlet for which she was bred to do. Apart from the opportune moments, each of us take turns 3 times a day for 10 minutes.  This project has not only created family cooperation but canine leadership.

At this point our clever girl knows the basics of "sit", "down", "wait" (stay), "let's go/heel", "kennel up"  (crates herself), "off", "leave it", "drop it", "out", "OK"(release word).  I continue to reinforce "come" which seems to be the most arbitrary command.  I don't use a clicker because honestly, I'd probably lose it and I can't take the stress of keeping track of such items.  I use the marker word "Yes".  As for tricks, there's crawl, rollover, sit pretty (beg), sleep, on your bed, find it (tracking items), and fetch it.  I feel we are making excellent pace and I look forward to some exciting bird work in the near future.  

Waiting to open the patio

Yet another little one with a passion for socks!  No sock is safe unless of course its on your foot.  I am hopeful this mishap curbs the random hosiery that finds their way beneath my furniture, but considering the testosterone level in the house, I have my doubts.

My boy at one year, loving laundry day for the socks

The first sock casualty

16 Weeks

We've fallen over a four-legged Clover! I can't imagine our lives without her. Most of the time we're all on the same page.  It's a human-animal breakthrough! That lifts a huge burden from my shoulders.

She's become a sweet V with a comical personality.  Her striking eyes are complemented daily by strangers, but you can read our girl like a book if you just watched those floppy ears all day long. The last DHPP is done with the rabies vaccine to follow in two weeks.  She's filling out well and still fairly tall for a female.  I expect her size to level out shortly.

16 weeks 25.4 lbs 19" wither

I love catching on to her attempts to train us.  She "talks" to whomever or whatever will listen to the various grunts and groans. It's incredibly entertaining.  Her sheer determination is admirable even if that means finding clever ways to deter relentless counter-cruising.  If it's backyard play she wants, you are quickly offered a pair of shoes. They won't necessarily be the right size but chances are, if you have footwear, a trip outdoors is on the horizon.  To signal a toilet break, she bats the cow bell with her paws and we leap to our feet in desperate fear of missing an elimination cue.

Keeping Clover out of the garden is another story.  One that often doesn't end well. Mulch and decorative stones have a habit of... disappearing.  She's nearly decimated a bleeding heart in the north-west garden. The hyacinths in the front aren't so happy either.

The nipping is waning. We struggle as William is less consistent with preventing the attention grabbing. Puppy teeth are needle sharp! Fortunately redirection combined with bitter apple spray has saved the destructive gnawing.  Knock-on-wood, the furniture is perfectly intact. When Clover lost her first tooth, William wanted to be a canine tooth fairy. He gently stroked her face in comfort all evening. Cotton floss rings that are water-soaked then frozen have helped ease her sore mouth.

It's wonderful to wake up peacefully each morning.  Usually a soft whimper, less often the incessant wailing.  A dogs internal clock (grumbling stomach) is more reliable than the bedside alarm. William races downstairs every day to free his beloved friend from the crate. And FYI, I am sleeping 7 hours (Yeah).

I still see a few anxious behaviours. It's improved dramatically and I am certain that as the family adjustment increases, calmness will prevail. She's is likely to be found searching or pacing when mummy is missing from the room.  Urinating in the crate under confinement protest has ceased, however, digging ensues, especially if she isn't particularly tired.  It's a delicate balance that will continue to improve with patience and consistency.

Gentle Leader Training

At the end of four weeks of futile leash work, I weighed my options and bought a gentle leader.  She took to it well using apple slices during the conditioning period. Thank goodness! I thought I may be raising a sled dog rather than a suave huntress.  Walks are far more fun and manageable.  In one week she seems to have forgotten she's wearing it, so long as we're moving.

Clover has been more than a full time job.  Fortunately being a mom entrepreneur at home lends the time and flexibility to invest.  I'm very proud I've kept a fairly level head through puppyhood challenges.

Handling experience comes highly recommended with a Vizsla. They may not be the dog for everyone due to their extreme sensitivity and energy (empathy from having a family of adhd'rs helps!), but I haven't regretted my breed choice in slightest. Head over heels in love ♡

15 Weeks

15 weeks 26 lbs
What? No one was sitting here.

Another week of canine excitement.  We had a few more great sessions in the park.  Our frozen partridge has a broken neck and Clover is refusing to relinquish it after fetching.   At this rate hunting will result in terribly maimed or half eaten birds. She's loving the game of "find it" at the baseball diamond where I hide Milkbones in the grass.

One such afternoon turned into a trip to the ER.  I finished a training period and met the boys at the playground.  William thrilled to see her (despite the several hundred warnings), rewarded an excitedly bouncing happy Clover with "I love you" followed by the famous upright hug. BANG - facial collision.   

Sporting a finely sutured lip, and a difficult lesson learned

She is still "some one's" pillow

Quiet time on the chesterfield.  Clover will always volunteer to be a snuggle buddy.  It's rather difficult to feel lonely with a Velcro dog around.  William's relationship has changed from jealously, to partner in care/crime...take your pick!

The afternoon nap

14 Weeks

14 weeks 22.5 lbs 18" wither

look out, Look Out, LOOK OUT

Getting ready for take off

13 Weeks

13 weeks 21.5 lbs

Leaps and bounds! Finally seeing some significant progress. Housetraining has been increasingly successful even if I am out every 30-40 minutes. Our beautiful vizsla is changing rapidly and I can easily envision her adult form. Dog ownership is in full throttle as we walk the neighbourhood with pride.

She is confident with the boys and can often be spotted snuggled in their lap.  She sleeps 5 hours without a break and that doubles my rest overnight to 6 hours! Oh so happy am I.  That means a much more patient mummy for everyone.

Outside is becoming her favourite place and thats just fine with me.  As the weather warms and less rain falls (insert prayer) we can spend long afternoons in the grass.  Our summers are often filled with backyard entertainment and weekends out to the country for fresh air and a change of pace.  I can see many field runs ahead!

Egg-cellent Trackers

Rainy days elicit mischief

Pointing with toilet paper?

Wet conditions are a bit of a nightmare.  We've walked in drenching down pours despite whimpering objections. Regardless, these days do limit the ability to disperse that pent up V-drive.   The kitchen becomes a race track and the toilet paper....oh the toilet paper, is EVERYWHERE!

Clover's Training Progression

 Video Training Clover at 12 Weeks

12 Weeks

I find myself very frustrated training humans.  Teaching canine rules to a child is painfully slow.  Many people we meet ignore the "four on the floor" rule immediately.  Despite great efforts, all family members aren't consistently reactive to Clover's excessive vocalizations. I fear my work is undone and our girl will be hopelessly confused. It's very defeating.

A good friend recently posted a nice photo comment "Aren't puppies precious?"  I respond with mixed emotion.  Puppies are like looking after a colic stricken infant while being perpetually hung-over for several weeks (and for the record, I don't handle alcohol well in minimal amounts at best).  Like children, cuteness saves them from you losing your mind while helping them to grow into an emotionally secure, confident, obedient (law-abiding), respectable adult.   Don't get me wrong, the process is incredibly rewarding but realistically speaking, my opinion of "precious" highly depends on two critical factors.  How much sleep I've obtained and which minute of the laborious day you ask.♥

19 lbs 16" wither

The daytime hours alone with her have significantly improved.  She can actually be quite relaxed and obedient without the boy running about the house like an impending tornado.  The cats have still avoided direct confrontation.  With a hiss or two it seems they've claimed their territory.  The dog has learned to be cautious around these odd cranky creatures.  She sits patiently, watching them move about and probably dying inside with feline enthusiasm.

We can confine a lot less now that she is better at house training.  I'm still holding on to medical science and a maturing bladder.  12-14 weeks should be the magic number and life will get significantly easier.  The increased room space from the pen is helping with the constant barking.

A day at the park

Socialization continues.  There's an adorable chocolate lab pup in the neighbourhood and a sweet Brittany spaniel she's had the opportunity to share some play time with.  We are meeting as many different dogs, people, places as possible with a few more car rides thrown in.  All sites and sounds are on my radar.  We watched a motorcycle parade down the street and met a man in his big crazy helmet (I loaded his hands with dog cookies).  We've received excellent support from the trash collectors and utility trucks!  Many more trips to area lakeside parks from one end of the region to the other.  It's a game of cramming great experiences every day.

She's learned a few more moves like "spin" and "sleep" and continues to work on "crawl", "sit pretty" and "roll over".

11 Weeks

14.9 lbs

William and I headed out to see my favourite vet and have Clover vaccinated for the second time.  It couldn't have been a more perfect evaluation.  She's bright, has a beautiful dental bite, a clean healthy pup.  Like a studious detective, she investigates the clinic room, impressively alert and obedient...it seems those hours of training paid off  (it helps to have a canine with finely tuned genetics *wink).  Clover weighed in at 14.9 lbs with a lot of rib showing.  She's lean and eats like a friggin' horse.  Seriously!

She knows sit, down, and come.  Stay or "wait" is a little more tricky. I'm still holding out for some bladder control but the weather is warmer so I manage to keep her outside long enough to eliminate more often.  I was getting pretty frustrated with the refusal to pee on the cold wet ground.  The grass looks like hell, but I own a dog AND have a boy...the manicured lawn won't be a priority this year.

My biggest challenge is that the anxiety levels have reached an all time high.  It was more than I had bargained for to be honest.  If she can't physically touch me all the time she's a basket case.  But learning she can have unabated access 24/7 isn't a realistic picture for balancing a healthy family life.  I'm still persistently crate training, following all the non-excitement rules, still following a reliable schedule, changing up the mental games along with plenty of physical exercise.  I've tried offering my scented sweater...however returned to find my buttons bitten off and partially eaten.  Clover has been known to chew the baseboard through the bars of the play yard, just to try and get across the room to me.  She urinates on every blanket or towel and has begun to shred them too.  She howls, then barks, urinates then whines..repeat.  I love her dearly. Please, I plead, make it stop. 

Week Ten

The barking and the training and the patience continues.  I'm not seeing much progress on the toileting issue and sensing the cold snow isn't helping.  The noise level is astonishing.  Really, how can such a small beast make that much racket and not be A: hoarse or B: tired or C: completely board of hearing their own voice?

The bouncing puppy stage continues. We are all tired now and just running the paces with consistency and praying it will all work out in the end.  I still sleep barely 3 hours at a time. William is becoming jealous that Clover needs mummy A LOT.  It seems that every time I begin something with him, the dog eliminates on the floor... barks her head off... needs feeding... needs washing from soiling herself or fresh water because its spilled EVERYWHERE.  I try to reassure him, but the truth is, many hours I am so beyond coherent from sleep deprivation I could probably collapse at any moment.  

Winter is hard, and this particular year, very long.  Playing fetch down the front hallway is about the most high intensity exercise we can come up with. Still sniffing and strolling and meeting the children daily from school and meeting "safe" (well/vaccinated) dogs.

The Ninth Week

Our pointer is POINTING!

Learning to use a treat ball

Shhhhh! Puppy's sleeping

The Eighth Week

First night home was very peaceful

 Time for a bath

      

Retreat!

  

One clean pup

Loving the oatmeal-almond shampoo

It just seemed rather cruel to be outside in -10 temps.
A practically fur less puppy needs a little help.

Loving the sleepy puppy. She's not very happy with the crate training and has spent most days and night barking whenever confined - even in the play yard. The visitors continue to come for socializing and she's been out daily for a sniff and stroll up and down the street in the morning while the neighbourhood is quiet.  The obedience training has started and she's a very eager learner, with the exception that she prefers to shred puppy pads/newspapers, whatever the substrate. Ugh. All but three hours of sleep at a time for me and the exhaustion was catching up by the end of the week.