post surgery trials

It has been quite some time.

Finn is now 5 and a half months old.  How time flies.  I wish I was better and actually kept up with the photo a day so I can really see the changes he has made.

He has been doing so well.  My little man is just the sweetest thing.  He is a ball of energy and absolutely loves people.

The biting phase is slowly coming to an end.  Now we are working on not jumping on people because not everyone wants that.

The trainer at pets mart is a godsend.  She has so many tricks and ideas to help with everything not just what they are supposed to learn in class.  The group we have in the class is close too, so we are very open and honest about how the dogs really are.

The biggest nightmare I have had was Finn's neutering.

When I adopted him at the humane society they wanted me to come back there to get it done.  This of course was a hassle in and of itself, they are 2 hours away and could only do the surgery on Thursday mornings.

So I drove Finn up to Boone on a Wednesday after school and dropped him off to stay with Dan.

That weekend I went back to Boone.  

Finn was really not happy with us at all after the surgery.  I also was very nervous.  It looked horrible all bruised and swollen.  The Humane Society assured me it was normal for him to be like that.  

Well a week later I took him to our normal vet and sure enough I should have trusted my gut.  The incision  spot was left opened.  I also should have been given meds to help the process.  

So with Finn already being on house arrest for one week, we now have 3 different medications and he has two staples, and a cone. He has to be crated until next Monday.  The poor thing.  He doesn't like it at all.  I can't help but laugh as he has the cone on and tries to run away from me because it looks hilarious.

Needless to say I am not a very happy person.  I feel terrible this happened.

Finn is not happy either.  He has even developed camera shyness.

We still say happy October and Halloween.  

Love, 

A & Finn 

puppy class graduate

My little baby is all grown up and graduated puppy class.  What a difference from the beginning of class to now.  Our trainer is amazing and has great pointers for everything! He knows so much and we decided to continue on with the trainer and the whole class moving into intermediate.  This class is more behavior and manners, which he still needs! We are looking forward to it!

Maybe next time he won't look so miserable with the graduation cap on! 

In other news.  Finn has successfully completed 2 mountain hikes.  He is wonderful at walking and hiking now and I love having a buddy to go outdoors with! 

We also love to just sit on the porch and watch the world go by.  Especially now there is a tiny hint of a cooler breeze. By that I mean it's not 100 and humid out anymore so it's actually nice!

Have a relaxing weekend

Love

A & Finn

Happy Friday

I have been horrible about posting. My life is always hectic and there are times where I just completely let things slip by. Finn is wonderful. Less biting more listening and going to the door when he wants to go out. 

He is enjoying his new view out the window because he is taller! 

He loves redecorating the apartment. He says it's more feng shui to have the pillows on the floor! 

We are excited for the weekend. It means longer walks. Sleeping in. (He slept until 9 last weekend and I thought he died! It scared me but he was fine!) and this weekend Danny is coming to visit. Maybe we will even get to see Boh his best buddy.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Love, 

A& Finn 

wonderful

nothing can be more wonderful than coming home to a happy puppy who just wants to lay in your lap and take a nap.

that is all. 

day ????

I have been kind of failing at this photo a day thing.

Finn and I have definitely been super busy.  

We have been in puppy class for two weeks and are working hard on our manners. 

Basically trying to get him to sit [or say please] for everything.  From getting food, to greeting people, to playing or getting attention.  The sit for food or a toy is going great! He still gets SO excited when a person comes or he sees them that he just can't remember his manners at all!

The next week we learned loose leash walking.  Stubborn Finn is actually pretty good at the walking part [when he decides he wants to]  He is not a puller, I am the one pulling on the walk saying come on let's go! He will get to walking when he feels good and ready.  Crazy. 

Finn is now 3 and a half months old and I am so ready for the biting to stop.  I have been so consistent with the walk away after saying NO method.  One trainer said oh if you do this 3 days and it will be over.  She lied.  He is getting better but still it can be frustrating. 

advice? 

Here is a little of what we love:

We love to run. 

We love our best friend Bear.

We love car rides. 

We love helping with the chores at the parents house. 

We love killing stuffed animals.

We love trying to get on Mom's bed. 

We love photo bombing pictures.

We love each other. 

We love commenting on Mom's outfits. 

Have a wonderful week.

Love,

A & Finn

Ten

My boyfriend made these from some pictures I have sent him!  

Just had to share because I think they are hilarious!

Hope they put a smile on your face too! 

Love,

A & Finn 

Nine

Finn wanted to look spiffy for our late night photo shoot! #targetsoesitagain with bowtie a for collars! How cute is that?

We had a busy Tuesday with the vet and dinner at my parents. He loves it over there with a backyard to play in! 

Then Finn tried to help me grade some tests but licking paper doesn't give students good feedback...

Love,

A & Finn 

eight

Sad, sad attempt at the picture of the day.  Finn was not having it. Instead of sitting he wanted to do paw and army crawl to me! 

We had a relaxing rainy weekend together.

We took some selfies.

We are still working on being in the crate while I am home.  He doesn't like not being able to play 24/7.

We were being sweet and cuddly for a rainy movie marathon day.

Finn was not a huge fan of LOTR so he just fell asleep.

We had a puppy play date with his best friend Boh [a lab mix the same age]  They love playing together! 

We tried to completely take over Mom's bed as she was doing lesson plans for the week. 

Happy Monday friends! 

Love,

A & Finn 

seven

Little Finn is just as excited for the weekend as I am.

We are hoping a play date and maybe a trip to the doggy bar will be in our future.  

Then of course puppy class on Sunday morning!

Happy Friday!

Love,

A & Finn

six

What a handsome little man.

I can't get over how since I have started this Finn looks so different every single day.

He looks so grown up here. My big almost 3 month old pup! 

five

Uh Oh are we a little camera shy for our picture of the day Finn?

Nope didn't think so.  He loves practicing sit.  

My favorite part of doing commands and taking the pictures at the same time are whenever he sits he does paw automatically.  One of these days I'll capture the cuteness. 

We are working hard on not biting humans when playing.  He loves to play.  He loves biting my maxi skirts and pants to let me know he wants to play.

I have read countless articles from Dog Whisperer to google forums. What seems to work best for him is the walk away method. 

He bites I scream NO BITE and then walk away and ignore him for thirty seconds. I literally count to 30 in my head to give myself time to not get upset that I have an alligator not a puppy. Then we go back and play.  He seems to get it for a while. Especially since he always wants to be next to me.  I need to be more consistent though and I know it will improve. 

Here is a little Wednesday animal humor for all of you :) 

Love,

A & Finn 

four

I wish it was summer time again.  We both are getting used to the new routine with me working. It is pretty hard adjusting.  I am exhausted and he wants to play and is all wound up! 

I mean who can resist playing with that face and those toys?!

But all in all it is going well.  He sleeps through the night and I have to wake him up in the mornings when I get up.  [There is something wrong with that picture]  Potty training is good.  He had a few slip ups this week [new adjustment] and I have now only given him one spot to go potty on versus my whole apartment complex.  It seems to work because now we go outside and get our business done whereas we used to sniff and sniff until we found the perfect spot.  

He is even doing better in the crate while I am home.  Still some whining but I am not caving and it gets less and less each time.  I am starting to learn his signals for when he needs a break and then we work on going to the crate instead of behind the couch! ha 

He makes me want to leave work and that is so good because I used to stay forever and still not feel like I got anything done. Now I am productive and I get to go home to my sweet little man.

Here is a little blooper shot of the photo of the day. This says let me jump and attack that flash! 

Happy Tuesday

Love,

A & Finn

three

Finn really looks like a boxer in his face here. 

We went to puppy orientation this morning.  [Very informative]  

They give a lot of good information about crate training, potty training, teething, advice, they answered a lot of questions I had.  I signed up to come back for the actually puppy training classes.  I am so excited for him to learn manners!

Today at the class he thought he was Mr. Popular.  Just like his momma he was saying hi to everyone.  Little social butterfly. He doesn't quite get that some dogs/ people don't actually want to play and then he whines and tries to run to them.  He was the only dog they made stay on a leash. Making me look bad in class! 

There was so much going on in petsmart this morning he was all over the place.

The ladies were very helpful though and I am excited to try some of the things they helped me understand this week. 

Have a relaxing Sunday!

Love, 

A & Finn 

two

What a handsome little man.

We have survived week 1 one crate training while I am at work.  He did so well.

Such a smart pup.  

So friendly too. He wants to play with every dog and human we see and will whine if they don't want to play with him.  

He keeps me laughing with his little quirks, like running up a hill to roll down it.  Ever do that as a kid? He loves it.  There are these tall grass bushes near my building and he will pounce in them and then crawl around like a lion, the only thing you can see is his little tail wagging in the air. Hilarious.  I need to get a video one of these days and post it!

He is doing really well.  I just have never had a dog before so I really don't know how to get him to stop biting and to walk on the leash. 

I live near a highway and a pretty busy road.  He gets scared and won't budge once we start hearing the highway.  Then along the main road sidewalk he whines and whines and tries to run all the way home. I know he will get used to it because once we get to the greenway he does wonderful.  We do get to a point though where he will again refuse to walk any further and turns around to sprint home.  It's so weird! 

I love coming home to him though.  It really makes my day so much better.  I know if I have a bad day he will just make it all okay again. :) 

We have our puppy orientation class at petsmart and I am so excited for the good tips that we will learn!

Have a wonderful weekend puppy friends.

Love,

 A and Finn <3 

Picture a Day

One of my neighbors gave me the idea to take pictures of Finn in the same position so I can really see how he grows and changes.  

So here Finn is at 10 weeks old.  [What a cutie :)] 

one proud pup momma

I had work today for the first time since having little man.  

I was so stressed out about leaving him.

My lovely sisters are taking him out about halfway through my workday.  So that is wonderful.  

I expected to come home to an angry pup with a mess in the crate! Instead I got some kisses as we ran outside to do our business.  

Later after his afternoon snack and play time.  Finn just ran to the door and sat down.  I put his leash on and we went outside again and sure enough he is starting to learn how to tell me he has to go!! 

I was so thrilled I just had to share. 

Week 2

I can't believe I have had my pup for 2 weeks now.  He is just the absolute best.  

Potty training is going so well.  I am trying to make him sit at the door every time I take him out so that he will soon [hopefully] learn to let me know when he has to go.

He is learning so many commands and remembering them!

Crate training is still hard with his whining during the day, but when he is sleepy he walks right in and goes to cuddle with his stuffed puppy in there.  It's adorable. 

Here he is doing so well riding in my back seat on the way to the vet.  He did wonderful there and they said he was such a sweet boy and so good at the vet! Yay Finn. 

Finn is such a cuddle bug.  That's definitely the boxer with him.  I love it.  I mean look at him all curled up in my lap above and then below with his cow. 

The real training begins next week when I start school.  It is going to break my heart to leave him.  I wish I could just hang out with him all day everyday! 

He is seriously the best dog. I know most people say that but for real who else has a 10 week old pup that sleeps through the night and rarely has accidents inside?!

I am also considering going to the puppy classes at petsmart.  We have a coupon for a free orientation so I am going to use that first then see about signing up.  Beneficial?  

As always any helpful tips and tricks for training pups will be appreciated. :) 

Day 5

I can't believe I have had Finn for 5 days.  He has been doing so well.  

So far we have learned how to sit.

We are in progress with stay and come. 

Tricks still are iffy without treats but he is so smart.

We have also only had a small number of accidents inside.  Mostly he goes outside.  He still has to be carried to his spot [I live on the 3rd floor and he doesn't always make it all the way]

He knows how to climb up and down the stairs now too. 

We also are learning how to walk on the leash.  I live by a greenway.  Today I had to carry him to it [the greenway entrance is off a main road and the cars scared him] but once we were there he loved it and walked so well on his leash.

In the house I always keep an eye on him.  When he starts even looking at furniture a chew toy get's in his mouth. 

The biggest problem is his teething.  He bites everything.  I try to always have a toy in hand to switch my arm with but he has gotten me a few times.  Any advice with biting?  I have read countless articles and tried so much.  I know it will take time but I want to know if I am doing everything correct. 

He loves to cuddle though and that is my favorite.  Especially when he starts to wind down from playing or training he just looks at me and either curls up in my lap or on my feet.  How precious is that?

The crate is also becoming his little den.  I am lucky to be off for summer so I can really work with him on not whining when I leave the room.  He always wants to be with me though so it is really hard.  He whines a lot and I think it's almost worse for me to listen too.  He does know he has to be quiet if he wants to be let out. That's progress!

All in all things are going well.  I get overwhelmed at times.  Especially now that I am not in Boone anymore and Dan isn't helping me.  I think this is God's little lesson to teach me patience and letting things go quickly.

In the end he is just so cute. Who can't love that face?