Teaching a dog to be comfortable in all kinds of strange situations is really important if they are going to be out and about all the time. Little Nico is too young to go for long walks or hikes all under his own power. This doesn't mean he can't come along. Today we loaded a pack full of old jackets, dropped Nico in, secured his harness to the pack for safety, and headed out for a walk in the woods. A pocket full of treats and plenty of new sights and sounds made it a positive experience. I wouldn't be surprised if he is napping in the pack in a few days. Photo credit: Shelly Cihan
We were hoping to bring Nico out on the boat this evening, but the rain came forcing us to stay indoors. This photo pretty much sums up our living room right now. Nylabones (x3), frisbee (x1), Kongs (x2), stuffed duck (x1), blankets, and a dog bed. It's funny watching him run around with a tennis ball in his mouth, it doesn't seem like it should fit. When he is in the right state of mind he will retrieve a few times. We also practiced following in the yard as I filled our bird feeders. Tomorrow or Sunday we'll get him out on the water.
It's been a long time since either Shelly or I have had a puppy. Khyber was rescued at 9 months old. Nico is great 95% of the time but turns into a biting terror just before nap time. He inherited a lot of toys from Khyber but not a Kong. Today we bought him two so we always have a frozen one filled with peanut butter and treats on hand. They already are a great distraction for the delirious puppy that lets his manners slip. On the flip side, he has fully learned his name, has a great recall, and sits before eating his food. He also had his first visit to Lake Placid Animal Hospital today. They picked him up in the parking lot. He reportedly did well and our vet Dr. Flanigan said he has 'quite the personality.' He had just woken up from a three-hour nap so I assume he was full of himself during his visit. It was a big day for a little pup.
