Dippy in the back yard getting cool.

Vet update

We had our third vet check today. Dippy weighs 10 pounds now, and I swear it's all leg. She took her shot like a champ but hated the fact that the door was open and she couldn't go out it. I'll have to remember that in the future. She got a bath today also so it wasn't a really happy day for Shiba Inu's around here - but she's all soft and clean so we're happy. And I bought her a gourmet cheese twist to make up for the trauma. I'm posting a picture too, mostly because I haven't in a while. We're hoping that Uncle Dave will send the cute ones he took while he was up a few days ago... hint hint.

Sharon

Another milestone

Another milestone was reached today in the ever-growing trust building between Dippy and I. I had to go to school. She was under the couch, all sleepy and cute. I just couldn't disturb her so I left her out of her crate(gasp!) for the hour I was gone. OK, not completely trusting - I unplugged anything I thought she might get a "charge" out of, but still. No door to the outside, no supervision. Granted, too, that she moved all of 2 feet in the hour I was gone. It's not like I left her in one of her terror-zoomy moods. Still, I felt we reached an understanding. I know she certainly appreciated not having to move and not being confined.

On that postive note, she has been getting far more willful lately. I know, all kids go through testing phases, but we've been so lucky with her I was hoping we'd get off easy. "Come" just isn't something we've been excited about lately and she's been out at the end of her leash a lot. Also, "chase me" has become a favorite game of hers, though I can't say it's one of mine. I'm about the only one who won't play it with her though and, probably not a coincidence, I'm the only one who can get her harness on her in under an hour. Hmm... a correlation?

Last shots Friday then lots of world to explore!

Sharon

Catch Up

Well, we've been busy! Since last post she's had her first Puppy Class with other puppies (2 labs and a Husky mix, so she's the baby), her second bath, and spent a weekend a Grandma's house without Mom and Dad.

The classes are going well. Of course, she's the brightest and best behaved of the four dogs. Always sits on command, pays attention, and knew down before any of the others. The only subject she's NOT excelling in is recess. Not that she's not playing nice, she is, but she's outweighed by at least 30 pounds, usually more. It's hard when you've been the ruler of the universe to accept a lab sitting on your head.

The weekend at Grandma's went very well. She was, as almost always, on her good behavior. Not that I think my Mom's going to be running out to buy a puppy any time soon, but if she did she'd want her to be like Dippy, I think. The hardest part was getting all of her stuff (crate, toys, bowls, dog door, etc.) over there. Boy am I glad I bought that SUV. And she was pretty happy to see us wen we came back! There was a lot of wiggling, which made us feel like she'd missed us at least. The stress was added to by the fact that Friday night we went up to Aunt Renee and Uncle Geoff's (a one hour drive) and saw Pippin again. It was better this time in Pippin's home environment, but still not best buds. Dippy did really well sitting in the circle for a few hours on her short leash the whole time. Explored the area she could then settled down for a boredom-induced nap.

Today's bath was her second and we're still not REALLY happy about the whole idea. I took treats up with me but she was too stressed to eat them while in the tub (even before the water). This was my first "solo" bath (without Dad helping) and that made it take a bit longer, but she got to snuggle up on me (and I have the scratches to prove it) and the extra time I think let her clam down. Of course, now that she's clean she's all happy and hyper. I even got her to sit still for the brush. Of course, a pile of kibble in front of you will work wonders.

This week's lessons are tugging nice, give it, and walking on a slack leash (which is the easiest for her as long as there's no one the little social butterfly wants to go see). We'll see how she does and I'll try to be better about posting more often.

Sharon

Cousins meet

The picture above is of Dippy meeting Adam... my 1 year old nephew. She did really well with him as long as we kept her from getting too excited and nipping. She also went in the pool... NOT a good experience for her. We'll try the river after she gets all her shots.

Sharon

Cousins...

Vet visit

We got our third set of shots today and the Bortadella vaccine (which they give up the nose - yuck, I'd rather have the shot). She weighs 7.75 lbs now and is still a vet favorite. Unfortunately, the popping sound she makes right after she gets up from her nap MAY be hip displaysia, but she's too young to test so we'll get the X-Rays done when she's a bit older. Keep your fingers crossed. Her adult coat is coming in - so pet her now while the petting's good!

Tuesday was our first puppy training class. Dippy didn't go but Steve and I did. It was very educational and she's doing really well with her training. She LOVES treats and will do anything for them. She knows "sit" and is working on "down." Even when we're walking, she's getting pretty good at "come." But again, her Mommy's at the top of her class too! She will be meeting the rest of the class next tuesday. There are two labs and a husky. She'll be by far the smallest but I'm sure she will be the queen after a week or two.

Still working on new pictures... she's getting cuter every day.

Sharon

Dippy's 4th

The 4th of July was a very exciting day but not one of independance for Shiba Inus in the Everett home. Dippy got her first bath, which she wasn't really excited about. She spent the whole time crying to be let out of the tub and gripping my hands for dear life, but it was over quickly and she seems to be happy to be clean so I don't think it will always be the traumatic experience that Bath #1 was. She is certainly more f un to pet and play with now that she's clean - and she loves anything that gets her more attention.

She did really well with the fireworks going off. She was in a strange environment, Steve's friend Paul's house, and there was lots of noise and little kids and a block full of people setting of "safe and sane" fireworks plus two large displays nearby. The only thing that really scard her was the kids waiving their glow sticks at her. None the less, we spent much of the evening inside away from the noise and fuss. She probably dealt with it better than I did, in all fairness. I wasn't really happy about four screaming little boys running around either. And while following her around picking up the chips and toys she was eating was not in any way fun, she was the best behaved child. I'm so proud.

She met Pippin this weekend as well (Renee and Geoff's papillon). Didn't go as well as we were hoping, mostly because Pip wasn't sure what to do with a puppy after so long with cats. But Dippy never backed down and I'm sure, when Pip is on his own turf and not freaked by the car ride, a strange place, and so forth, that the asthma attacks will stop and they'll get along famously. After the P Man nipped at her she left him alone, but she wasn't cared and hasn't seemed to develop any fear of dogs from it.

Well, I have to go pull a potting soil bag out of her mouth... more after puppy training class tonight.

Sharon