but please know a few things about me.
I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity for learning
are the same as an 8-month-old child. I am a Puppy; I will chew
EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This is how I explore and learn about
the world. Even HUMAN children put things in their mouths. It's up to
you to guide me to what is mine to chew and what is not.
I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1 - 2 hours.
I cannot "feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to come
out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I cannot have
"bladder and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months. Do not punish me if you
have not let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault.
As a Puppy, it is wise to remember that I NEED to go potty after: Eating,
Sleeping, playing, Drinking and around every 2 - 3 hours in addition.
If you want me to sleep through the night, then do not give me water
after 7 or 8 p.m. A crate will help me learn to housebreak easier, and
will avoid you being mad at me. I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen,
please be patient with me! In time I will learn.
I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary
monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase
fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do.
Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day.
If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe you could consider an
older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group.
My play is beneficial, use your wisdom to guide me in my play with
appropriate toys, and activities like chasing a rolling ball, or gentle
tug games, or plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard, talk
to me in "dog talk", by giving a loud YELP, I will usually get the
message, as this is how dogs communicate
with one another. If I get too rough, simply ignore me for a few
moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate chew toy.
I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a
6-month-old human infant, so please do not do the same to me. I am
delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now,
I will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beat.
Instead, please guide me with encouragement and wisdom.
For instance, if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No chew!"
and hand me a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING that
you do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference between
your old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your $200 Nikes.
I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings and drives much like
your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in a
dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your
every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your family,
and your life. You got me (I hope) because you want a loving partner and
companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when I get bigger, do
not judge me harshly but instead mold me with gentleness and guidelines
and training into the kind of family member you want me to be.
I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect
either. I love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about
training, and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian,
books on dog care and even researching on the computer! Learn about my
particular breed and it's "characteristics",
it will give you understanding and insight into WHY I do all the things
I do. Please teach me with love, patience, the right way to behave and
socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class, we will
BOTH have a lot of fun together.
I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with you,
and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand how I
work? We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger, pain,
thirst, discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different and must
work to understand one another's language, body signals, wants and
needs. Some day I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one you can be
proud of and one that you will love as much as I love you.
Love,
Your Puppy.
Stephanie, from the [email protected] has allowed me to use this verse.
You can check out Stephanie's Great Danes and her home page by copying the
http address below..
http://www.geocities.com/iluvdanes13/DeDanesPage.html
Thank you Stephanie.... :))
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