Kirby in training

So I figured with the baby coming I really need to start training Kirby. It's not that he is a bad dog...it's just that we never really trained him. He just gets super bad on leash because he has leash fear. This is not because we never socialized him. When we lived in B-more he went to the park EVERYDAY to play with other dogs. Without his leash on. Big problemo now because I want to walk him without him flipping out! It gets scary and dangerous the further along I get.
So I bought a Cesar Milan book.

And I started out training. It really only consists of repition. We walk every morning before work. I love walking in the mornings because it is cool enough for both of us and there are less people/dogs to run into. So right now I am focusing on him not pulling on his leash - but walking beside me. He does better some mornings than others. But he is making some progress.

I also bought a shock collar - which I have yet to use! I guess I'm a little freaked out about it....it is supposed to shock him every time he barks. I think I'm going to take it back and get the other kind though - the kind that I can control when it goes off.

The root of the problem? We never told him he was a dog! He has been treated like a child....and I know - it is a disservice to him. But all we can do now is try to make everyday a new day and be better dog owners...

Kirby update and other things

Kirby had his first play date with Jen's dogs, Bailey and Winston. I think Bailey intimidated him, but he played really well with Winston (the Bichon - sorry if that's spelled wrong). We went up to Sykesville to Jen's house and he did well in the car ride too.

Kirby is 12 weeks old now. He's grown a lot in the two weeks that we have had him. He seems to be learning quickly and he's now gone to the back door all on his own twice. I'm still getting frustrated pretty easily, but Tony has endless patience and is doing really well with him.

Me and Renata and Cherie

That's right, I broke 100. First time ever!!!!

We went out to dinner on Saturday night with some friends to celebrate Renata's birthday. Then we all went bowling....where there were no awkward encounters with anyone whom I have not had any contact with since June due to some unfortunate turn of events. I really hope that she did not get escorted out of the bowling alley job as well....sean, was that too soon?

Puppies are hard work!

So we've had Kirby for a whole week. It feels like it's been a lot longer. Last week was hard on all of us. But every day it's gotten better. It's easy to get frustrated for me, but he's so cute!! He hasn't cried the past few times that we have put him in the crate. I took him to the vet on Friday, apparently the vet that owns the clinic has a tv show a couple of times a week, and they want Kirby to be on the show! He is really calm and he just laid there the whole time we were at the vet. He never got antsy. So they said he would be great for the show. We'll see if they call! It will be funny if he gets on there, I guess I'll have to be his agent and start setting up auditions for him!

Kirby

So we decided on a name, Kirby. We thought long and hard, Kirby just fit him.
Last night was hard....he cried so we put him in bed with us.No one slept well. He kept wanting to play and I was paranoid he was going to roll of the bed....we took him out twice and he went both times, so at least that's going well. But I don't think we are going to be able to keep him in bed with us and still function during the day. I was zoning out for much of the day today after sleeping about 3 hours last night. But here's some cute pics of him from tonight.