4 Months!

Lacey is now four months old. She reminds us of the poem that goes:

"There once was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead
And when she was good
She was very very good
And when she was bad
She was horrid"

Our hero is Cesar Milan -- the Dog Whisperer on Animal Planet channel. We keep watching him and believing that we will get Lacey to where she needs to be. She is clearly more energetic than any dog we have had before. That makes training all the more important.

We start basic obedience training with other dogs in a little over a week. But the first class is for the owners only. Kind of emphasizes Cesar's point that owners need more training than dogs do.

She is at an age that real breakthroughs should be achievable over the next few weeks.

If Lacey's name was behavior-based, right now it would be "Jaws". The principal strategy is redirection to her authorized chew toys -- away from blankets, sheets, clothing, slippers, carpet, wood and, most particularly, hands. We're told we may have another 4 months of this based on accounts from friends who are a little ahead of us on the puppy track. We are hoping that it is not any longer than that. We know puppies learn a lot with their mouths, but do they have to keep repeating the same lessons?

Progress

Lacey went to the Vet yesterday. She now weighs 8.7 lbs (3.95kgs). She has lots of energy. We took a long walk and she hardly seemed fazed.

Between late nights following the Winter Olympics and chasing Lacey about, Mom and Pop are pretty pooped.

Happy Valentines Day

Lacey has progressed enough to gain greater freedom in the house. She is doing pretty good but we are well-advised to keep a close eye on the slippers.

Lacey has been signed up for an obedience course that starts on March 9. Lacey will be greatly relieved when her parents are better schooled.

iPaws

Lacey got her personal "Apple" device yesterday -- the iPaws. Lacey's Aunt sent it to her along with some special doggie treats. Lacey is just loving it. Of course this Apple is designed to turn Lacey on rather than the other way around. But she has found a good use for the earbuds.

This is a great toy, with a squeak box and the "headphones" which make for additional places to grab on and swing about.

As part of our training we have had Lacey send her personal thank note to her Auntie.

Growing and Learning

Lacey had another visit to the vet today for a third set of vaccinations. She is now 7.1lbs (3.22kgs). That's about 27% growth over the last 3 weeks. She is getting longer. Lacey is starting to show the classic wire fox terrier posture at times.

Before going to the vet we visited a local dog training school. We had hoped to put her into a puppy class offered through the City of Brentwood Park and Rec Department. However, there were not enough enrollees and they cancelled the class. But they referred me to the organization that was doing the training. So we went there this morning to check into it. They have another obedience class starting in March, so that's the one we will sign up for.

Lacey Video

I finally took a video with the iPhone to show Lacey playing. Not great, but gives you an idea. At one point you see my finger obscuring the lens as I switch from normal to macro and back again:

Week of Storms

Starting on Sunday afternoon our area was blanketed with a series of rain storms. The blowing and swirling winds, wet and cold were problems for Lacey and our work on her delicate condition. I can't say as I blame her--imagine if we humans continued to use outhouses...without walls...without a roof...and without a seat. I am not sure we would relish being outside in a storm and might opt for a far corner of a covered and walled location.

So we set up a papered pen in the gated kitchen for use when we were less than successful outside.

Lacey continues to be very cute. Her playing and quiet times are a joy to watch.