Do you find it hard not to "play favorites"?

peppernaei · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

I can't say we have favorites at our house but we do have two very different dogs so we give them both their own time. I would say I am the primary caregiver but I am also the one who is almost always home. Zaphod and I have been together for 5 years longer than my hubby and I. When we first moved in together I was unsure if he would become "our" dog but he did. I found it funny when he would actually leave my side to hang with my hubby 'cause I never imagined it would happen. He shares the bed with us but always stay on my side. Marvin was added to the family as our dog but I feed, walk, train, groom, pick up after and shop for the dogs. The hubby will do these things if he needs to but he doesn't feel sure yet about his grooming skills (nails and ears) and I have more patience in those areas.

As for the dogs relationship, we give them their own time. Obviously, as a puppy, Marvin has required more attention. Zaphod has different benefits like having the run of the house, sleeping on the bed, getting first choice of food and treats and alone time outside so the big man would pounce on him. Since Marvin gets to go to class and the dog park alone I make sure Zaphod gets trips in the car too even if it's just to Tim's. I also found crate time for Marvin was a great time to give Zaphod some loving.

I agree with joe2mill about the training. My hubby couldn't make it to most of the classes but we kept a list on the fridge of things we were learning and I would show him how to ask for things so that we could have a united front on our expectations. It was also helpful for the dog walker to see what commands we were using.

I'm so excited for you! I remember expectantly waiting for the birth and then visiting to help socialize the pups and wondering which one would be mine. And the "it's like Santa's coming" feeling leading up to getting the pup. We were the first ones there on pick up day and we had to stop for coffee or we would have gotten there to early. Puppy face

youhavenoidea · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject:

That's exactly what it feels like! I'm so restless these days! LOL

I took a run out to the breeders' earlier in the week (they're 3.5 hours away) to visit them and the crew before puppies arrive and they have a house perpetually full of puppy parents.

I always tell her that she's going to be dog-less when I leave - her dogs are so gorgeous, and well-behaved! They're a joy to be around, and you would never even know there were three of them!

Their retired (from the show ring, and another breeder's breeding program) male is especially endearing and sweet, and makes me want to cover him in kisses.

These are their guys:

Mom (their foundation, and only breeding female) - 3 years old

last week; 6 weeks pregnant

Pet female (spayed) - half sister to my puppy's Mom - 4 years old

Pet male (now neutered) - father to their pet female, and uncle to my puppy's Mom - 8 years old

peppernaei · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:23 am Post subject:

Aw...what a nice family. Mom looks great.

Our breeder joked that she would count the dogs before we left to make sure we hadn't stolen any.