Growing Puppies
Harlan and Rival are growing everyday! Teeth are falling out all over the place, I have found 4 or 5 of them so far, and I'm sure there are lots out in my backyard. (I'm probably crazy, but I love to save the baby teeth! -Crazy dog lady)
Some of you have already found out that owning a puppy is an expensive endeavor, often challenging, sometimes exhausting... but is also incredibly rewarding! Always keep in mind, while puppies are resilient, they are still growing/learning, can be inquisitive, find their way into trouble, as well as being silly to the point of injury if not monitored. Jumping and running and rough play can be fun and silly, but can also result in some fairly life changing injuries. Care should be taken as their joints continue to form, and bones calcify. Excessive running and jumping should be avoided until maturity, to allow for proper growth and development of bones/joints. Puppies should still be lifted into and out of the car or ATV, into high crates, on and off of grooming tables etc.
Daily experiences should continue to be supervised, so that your puppy learns what is an appropriate and expected response to differing situations. For example; cars driving by, bicycles, children playing, ATV's, other dogs and cats(sometimes skunks and porcupines). While you may consider that your puppy is "getting older" they are still too young to try to tackle these life lessons without some guidance and support.
Looking for reputable trainers? I'd be more then happy to help!
In the past I have used a few trainers in my area, such as
Sarah Dykes http://bad-dogs-gone-good.com/
Or Cheryl White at Fidos Playground in Stratford.
I also have some good friends who have used trainers in the GTA, which I can ask to refer if needed.
Hope you are all doing well!
Talk soon,
Jocelyn