15 1/2 weeks…
Well, as of this coming Saturday, we will have had Axel with us for two weeks and he will be 16 weeks old. He is adjusting well, but I can’t wait for the chewing phase to end. From the first week we got him to last Saturday, he gained 4 pounds and 2 inches in height. He seems even taller since then, so I am eager to see how tall he is when we weigh and measure him this saturday. We are going to try to keep a diary of his growth and behaviors. My husband has started a blog for Axel, so please go and visit it at http://www.tomkinson.org/axel/
Axel seems to be a momma’s boy more so than a daddy’s boy. He follows me around everywhere. He always wants to know what I am doing and where I am going, kind of like how I hover over him to ensure he doesn’t have accidents on the floor.
One thing he does that is annoying, more so to Gary and Jess is the biting and pulling on pants legs and shoes. (He tore Gary’s dress pants last night) He only botherss me with it a little bit, like he might do it once when he first sees me after work, but he immediately stops when I make a loud screetch sound and push him away. For my husband and daughter it is constant. They try to make him stop by giving him a chew toy instead, but he is very persistent. Hopefully this will stop over time. Jess gets pretty frustrated with it and I don’t want her to dislike the puppy.
The only other hard-headedness he has going on so far is stopping him from jumping up onto the couch. He is determined to make the couch him own.
His potty training is going pretty well, though I would think by now he would know to go to the door and let us know when he needs to go potty, instead of letting us guess. He did piddle on the kitchen floor last night right before I took him outside, though I didn’t know he did this until I came back in with him because he wouldn’t pee out side. We do try to praise him on all the good things, but sometimes you forget or your mind gets clouded with the naughty behaviors instead. He will be starting puppy training on Jan 5, which I am looking forward to. I’m sure it will help US understand him better.

restless angel wrote,
Maybe try giving him a little less water? Or ice cubes. He can lick at them and as they melt, and drink what winds up in the dish.
Link | December 18th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
jane wrote,
What a cute puppy. I went back & read about Zed, I’m sorry you lost him. But I have to tell you this, I am totally pleased with how you handled his illness. I’ve seen so many people that LOVEEE their pets make them hang on til they can’t eat/hear/see/walk and THEN still try to keep them alive. Obviously, those owners are doing it for themselves, not the pet. What you did was humane & in Zed’s best interest. Take takes a lot of heart & sacrifice.
But now, *whew* have you guys got your hands full!
Link | December 28th, 2007 at 12:52 am