It is a testament to the hubris of man that he can conclude after a couple of days that a new routine has now become "routine." Lacey decided to puncture that image of placid compliance last night.
Everything seemed to be according to schedule as took her outside for her final potty of the day and returned her to bed for an uninterrupted sleep. But an hour later she was calling. I dutifully arose and took her outside for her expected potty. No potty, just curiosity and a desire to play. So she was returned to her bed.
Then about 5am she called again. I dutifully arose again and took her out. Again, no potty just curiosity and a desire to play. It was still dark outside, I was tired and so I decided to return her to bed for some more sleep (for me at least).
Her third call was accompanied by the unmistakable wafting of an accident from her crate. I was not happy after the multiple trips with no results. This was a clear breach of our bargain crafted over the last few days. Of course the fact was that only I thought there was a bargain. Lacey apparently is still considering her options.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
We're getting pretty good at mornings
Apropos of the "sync" post, below, we seem to be getting the mornings pretty good. Lacey is sleeping now for at least 6-7 hours at night. A good night walk before bed seems to get her set up well for uninterrupted sleep. The first walk of the morning stimulates all appropriate evacuations.
Lacey seems to like breakfasting with breaks. So after the first walk she drinks and eats a bit. Then some play time (the first is usually the most vigorous). Then some restlessness that alerts us to the need for another small walk, then breakfast, repeat...
After three of four of these small events its time for morning nap.
Alertness seems to avoid accidents. Plan B is to have her in her crate or gated kitchen where cleanups are easy.
Now if we can figure out the afternoons....
Lacey seems to like breakfasting with breaks. So after the first walk she drinks and eats a bit. Then some play time (the first is usually the most vigorous). Then some restlessness that alerts us to the need for another small walk, then breakfast, repeat...
After three of four of these small events its time for morning nap.
Alertness seems to avoid accidents. Plan B is to have her in her crate or gated kitchen where cleanups are easy.
Now if we can figure out the afternoons....
Monday, December 28, 2009
Getting in Sync
They say that you train the owner more than the dog. And that is really true with regard to a puppy. We are still trying getting in sync with Lacey's rhythms. She's a really good dog, but she is great when we are attuned to what her body is doing and can anticipate what we need to do to avoid accidents.
Last night she slept until 6 a.m. and no accidents in her crate. We had a morning of eating, play and walking around outside with the objective of avoiding accidents. Momma and Poppa had some mid day things to do so Lacey's crate was moved to the laundry room. The mornings activities seemed to be successful as the laundry room was still pristine when we got home.
The afternoon involved a series of naps between outside time. Lacey seems to be comfortable sleeping in a lot of different configurations.
Last night she slept until 6 a.m. and no accidents in her crate. We had a morning of eating, play and walking around outside with the objective of avoiding accidents. Momma and Poppa had some mid day things to do so Lacey's crate was moved to the laundry room. The mornings activities seemed to be successful as the laundry room was still pristine when we got home.
The afternoon involved a series of naps between outside time. Lacey seems to be comfortable sleeping in a lot of different configurations.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Independence
Lacey went to bed nicely on the 4th night and didn't awaken us until about 4 am. However after taking her out to potty her cries were prolonged and insistent. We ignored them uncomfortably until taking her out about 7.
She ate and drank hungrily as I am sure her growing is rapid. She weighed in at 4 pounds at the vet's office last Thursday and I am curious how big she will be at our next visit.
We leave the leash on quite a bit. It helps her get used to it and its another toy to play with. Outside it is necessary to constrain her curiosity.
But there is also the aspect of command and control. Lacey, as all right thinking terriers, does not naturally see herself as under someone else's control. The leash is a point of contention when she wants to go south and I want her to go north. She does not readily accept that that is not a battle she will win. Its good to see that spirit, but firmly and gently she must learn that she is not ultimately in control.
But she has her moments: We left Lacey in the gated kitchen to chow down. A little while later I heard her calling and assuming she was finished went to gather her. When I came upon the kitchen she was stuck in the gate with her leash dragging behind her pointing out into the living room and not the kitchen! (The gate slats are wide enough for her to poke her head through without it getting caught but heretofore seemed to narrow for her belly and hips.) She had managed to make it out and circuited the Christmas Tree before deciding to go back in to eat some more. But then she couldn't remember how to swivel her hips to make it completely through the gate. Guess I will have to temporarily rig up some chicken wire to block her pushing through the slats until she is big enough that she can't push even her head through.
She ate and drank hungrily as I am sure her growing is rapid. She weighed in at 4 pounds at the vet's office last Thursday and I am curious how big she will be at our next visit.
We leave the leash on quite a bit. It helps her get used to it and its another toy to play with. Outside it is necessary to constrain her curiosity.
But there is also the aspect of command and control. Lacey, as all right thinking terriers, does not naturally see herself as under someone else's control. The leash is a point of contention when she wants to go south and I want her to go north. She does not readily accept that that is not a battle she will win. Its good to see that spirit, but firmly and gently she must learn that she is not ultimately in control.
But she has her moments: We left Lacey in the gated kitchen to chow down. A little while later I heard her calling and assuming she was finished went to gather her. When I came upon the kitchen she was stuck in the gate with her leash dragging behind her pointing out into the living room and not the kitchen! (The gate slats are wide enough for her to poke her head through without it getting caught but heretofore seemed to narrow for her belly and hips.) She had managed to make it out and circuited the Christmas Tree before deciding to go back in to eat some more. But then she couldn't remember how to swivel her hips to make it completely through the gate. Guess I will have to temporarily rig up some chicken wire to block her pushing through the slats until she is big enough that she can't push even her head through.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A solid "B"
Lacey earned a solid "B" today for her potty behavior (but we are really looking forward to an "A") . Grandma left and things started to settle down for Lacey. Another day of sleep and play. She exhibited an increase in appetite after not eating all that much the day before. We spent a fair amount of time outside on the leash. Late in the day we got around to modeling her Christmas outfit.
Third Night
Lacey's third night went pretty well. She only woke up twice. We took her out for her business and then ignored her cries when she was placed back in her canvas crate. She has taken to the crate and curls up with her stuffed wire terrier.
The only issue is that I found a little "package" at the back of the crate in the morning. As I had feared her size relative to the crate put the back wall out of her sleeping zone since she moves up next to the mesh door. But her growth will change her comfort zone for that kind of accident.
The only issue is that I found a little "package" at the back of the crate in the morning. As I had feared her size relative to the crate put the back wall out of her sleeping zone since she moves up next to the mesh door. But her growth will change her comfort zone for that kind of accident.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Day...
was a mix of play and rest. Lacey stayed home while Poppa, Momma and Grandma went to Christmas lunch at the Garden Court Restaurant in San Francisco.
Her canvas crate and stuffed wire fox terrier were put in the laundry room. The door to the crate was left open letting her get out and onto the puppy pads as necessary. But when the family arrived back home it didn't look like it was necessary.
The afternoon was taken up with play and napping. The leash was employed in the play because Lacey was starting to expand her boundaries. It's amazing how much faster Lacey is than Poppa at times. The leash made things more even.
But after play time Lacey worked on some serious napping. Her tummy was being rubbed and she was in doggy heaven. Will all this napping just be preparation for a night of calm sleeping or regeneration for a night of song?
Her canvas crate and stuffed wire fox terrier were put in the laundry room. The door to the crate was left open letting her get out and onto the puppy pads as necessary. But when the family arrived back home it didn't look like it was necessary.
The afternoon was taken up with play and napping. The leash was employed in the play because Lacey was starting to expand her boundaries. It's amazing how much faster Lacey is than Poppa at times. The leash made things more even.
But after play time Lacey worked on some serious napping. Her tummy was being rubbed and she was in doggy heaven. Will all this napping just be preparation for a night of calm sleeping or regeneration for a night of song?
Lacey's Second Night
We changed the strategy for night number two. We had purchased a canvas travel crate that was large enough to accommodate a full sized wire fox terrier, but I had thought it would be too big for crate training, so we had used the pet taxi on night number 1. But we reconsidered this and decided to go ahead with the original plan on night number 2.
The crate can be opened from above or the front. It has side and back mesh windows that can either be covered or open. The front door is also mesh for visibility.
We placed a towel in the base and a hot water bottle and clock. We also put in a stuffed wire fox terrier toy and chew toy. Lacey was put to bed with the top open and the front and side mesh uncovered for visibility.
At various times in the night Lacey would start to cry. I would get up and immediately take her outside to potty. As soon as she had pottied I carried her back inside and placed her in the crate again. I ignored her cries after she was put back in the crate and she would eventually quit crying.
When I awoke this morning she was still sleeping in her crate happily curled around the stuffed toy. Looks like this will be the right strategy.
The crate can be opened from above or the front. It has side and back mesh windows that can either be covered or open. The front door is also mesh for visibility.
We placed a towel in the base and a hot water bottle and clock. We also put in a stuffed wire fox terrier toy and chew toy. Lacey was put to bed with the top open and the front and side mesh uncovered for visibility.
At various times in the night Lacey would start to cry. I would get up and immediately take her outside to potty. As soon as she had pottied I carried her back inside and placed her in the crate again. I ignored her cries after she was put back in the crate and she would eventually quit crying.
When I awoke this morning she was still sleeping in her crate happily curled around the stuffed toy. Looks like this will be the right strategy.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Lacey's First Night...
was "interesting". Thinking she might be more comfortable in something a little more familar, her pet taxi was emptied and cleaned out and the towel she road home on was put in as a bed along with a hot water bottle and a ticking clock.
She could barely stay awake so it was time to put her taxi into the laundry room and puppy pads laid down. The taxi door had been removed to let her go in and out as she wished. Everything was set for a cozy and comfy night...but noooooo. Once left alone the chorus began.
Now the yips were expected from a tyke her size. The "wooow wooow wyyyah" vocalizations were different. But mixing them together sounded like more than one puppy was calling for attention.
Her calls were dutifully ignored. Grandma took out her hearing aids, I was tired enough to ignore them, only Momma had to battle with the urges to respond to the calls. At some unknown point Lacey gave up. But when Grandma made her late night trip Lacey became alert again and started calling. Momma remained fast asleep but now it was me who had to resist. And resist we did until around 6:30 am when Lacey was happily released from her prison.
Of course, having spent some time in the night calling, she is now happily asleep.
She could barely stay awake so it was time to put her taxi into the laundry room and puppy pads laid down. The taxi door had been removed to let her go in and out as she wished. Everything was set for a cozy and comfy night...but noooooo. Once left alone the chorus began.
Now the yips were expected from a tyke her size. The "wooow wooow wyyyah" vocalizations were different. But mixing them together sounded like more than one puppy was calling for attention.
Her calls were dutifully ignored. Grandma took out her hearing aids, I was tired enough to ignore them, only Momma had to battle with the urges to respond to the calls. At some unknown point Lacey gave up. But when Grandma made her late night trip Lacey became alert again and started calling. Momma remained fast asleep but now it was me who had to resist. And resist we did until around 6:30 am when Lacey was happily released from her prison.
Of course, having spent some time in the night calling, she is now happily asleep.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Lacey arrives home
We picked up Lacey at the Delta Cargo center at San Francisco International Airport this afternoon. Happily her flight from Atlanta was an hour early due to favorable winds.
When the cargo handler brought her travel case we could hardly believe our eyes -- what a sweet, sweet girl!
We slipped her collar on with her new name. She made no protest and seemed to say "Thank you, I was waiting for that." She showed no timidity or fright. She was pleased to be with us, licking and exploring. About half the drive home she was alert and active, the other half happily dozing.
Its just been a few hours, but she seems to be quite at home. She made a beeline for the tassles on the Christmas Tree skirt and heard her first series of "no".
Starting over with a new puppy after so many years, one has to marvel at how it is that she will come to know her name. What is it exactly that will trigger her self identity with the sound "lay-see"? But she will.
Why "Lacey"...
and not "Champ", "Rin Tin Tin" or "Lassie"? A lot of names were considered, but in the end it came back to where it began: In 1992, before we got our first terrier, we were researching what kind of dog to get. One of the best ways to get to know breeds is dog shows. The oldest, and possibly most prestigious, is the Westminster Dog Show held in NYC every February. We happened to see a broadcast that year. The Best Dog for that year was a wire fox terrier named Registry's Lonesome Dove, but more familiarly called "Lacey." You can read a NY Times story about it here.
Although we decided to get a West Highland Terrier in 1992 and a Yorkshire Terrier in 1994, this year we wanted a Wire Fox Terrier. As we worked through the list of potential names we recalled that 'perky little bitch' (as the NY Times described her) and realized that was the perfect name for what we hoped would be a wonderful dog.
We've not been able to find video from that 1992 show but here's a photo of the Champion "Lacey":
Although we decided to get a West Highland Terrier in 1992 and a Yorkshire Terrier in 1994, this year we wanted a Wire Fox Terrier. As we worked through the list of potential names we recalled that 'perky little bitch' (as the NY Times described her) and realized that was the perfect name for what we hoped would be a wonderful dog.
We've not been able to find video from that 1992 show but here's a photo of the Champion "Lacey":
The Beginning
Today is the day Lacey is set to arrive from Birchhurst Kennel in Vero Beach, Florida. Lacey was delivered on November 8, 2009 via C-section along with her two siblings. She has cleared her health check, gotten her shots and will be on a plane in a few hours traveling from Melbourne, Florida to San Francisco, California.
She is eagerly awaited. A shopping spree has resulted in food, bedding, and chewing materials all awaiting her. A gate has been affixed to the kitchen door and we are learning how to go through it without tripping ourselves up.
An appointment has already been made at the local vet to get her licensed.
A puppy in the household will cause some major changes. It has been 15 years since either of Lacey's predecessors were puppies. The rest of her new family were considerably younger then, too. So Lacey will not be the only one making adjustments this day.
She is eagerly awaited. A shopping spree has resulted in food, bedding, and chewing materials all awaiting her. A gate has been affixed to the kitchen door and we are learning how to go through it without tripping ourselves up.
An appointment has already been made at the local vet to get her licensed.
A puppy in the household will cause some major changes. It has been 15 years since either of Lacey's predecessors were puppies. The rest of her new family were considerably younger then, too. So Lacey will not be the only one making adjustments this day.
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