I am sooooo annoyed. I was asked by one of my puppy families to find, arrange purchase and train for them a pup to be a companion to the almost 9 year old I had placed with them. Sounded simple... I did my homework and found a lovely pedigree from an established breeder of considerable experience. The pup was bought and the Hubs and I drove up to Virginia to pick him up... I hate having a puppy shipped if there is ANY other alternative.
We arrived along with our family who wanted the dogs to stay with them at the gorgeous little bed and breakfast they were staying in. After two days we all said good bye and I took both dogs back with us, they are currently renovating a brand new apartment 1 block from Central Park and it would not be safe for the dogs until they are finished. That's cool I love pups and one more dog is certainly not a problem at our place.... I thought....
The puppy is one of the nastiest little critters I have ever met. While represented as potty trained it turns out he was litter box trained. So the pups expect to potty in the house. He messed in his crate , on the carpets anywhere but outside !! As of today we are finally seeing some improvement...I was shocked to have to get up around the clock for a 3 month old pup. My pups are pretty reliable by this age, at the very least the run to the door and ask..woe be it to you should you not pay attention .
He was supposedly well socialized and with children. This pup has seen VERY few strangers let alone kids. While sweet and loving with the Hubs and I he growls at every other member of the house !! My pups NEVER growl seriously they would simply not think of it. They are surrounded by gentle hands from birth on, both tiny and large they know human hands are not the things of hurt .
The pup has a kink in his tail, I waited until I got home to make sure it was an old injury as opposed to a genetic kink. Nope my vet assuered me it was 5-8 weeks old , totally healed and not painful. But some one obviously pulled him by the tail hard enough to break it. Hence the growling I am sure. So I have 3 months to housebreak, basic train and adjust the social issue he now has.... wish me luck it is going to be a rough road!
I have a pack of awesome treats and everytime some one walks into my room they give the boy one IF he makes a social effort. At first they simply tossed them to him but now I want him to choose to ask for the treat. My grandkids are wonderful. they range from 3 to 8 and are willing to coax and be patient with him like you would not believe. I explained to them he is scared and they want so badly to make sure he is alright. I will begin taking him to the mall as I have all of my puppies past and I will alternate taking the big boy with him as I do not want to create a false security blanket in his older "brother". He needs to trust and there isn't a lot of time to get there...
I will be taking him to shows where i will match him, again a social thing and hopefully by the end of July he will be ready for his CGC at the Ridgeback Rodeo. He is a gorgeous little guy who will be a very big guy in the future. He simply has to be as good as my line because that will assure him a phenomenal home for life . arrrgh save me from inventive breeders there really aren't any short cuts to raising a great puppy... you do the work and let them grow knowing the rules and love.... I had best get off the computer soon since I have a couple of fouled crates I have to scrub so he will have a place to eat his dinner sigh..
Bonita of Bwana