We arrived at Aunt Dees on friday Dec 17th to pick up a 12 week old puppy. To our surprise, he was alot smaller than expected. We all thought he was much younger, especially after weighing in at 7 lbs! He had a little cough so between antibiotics and keeping him in our kitchen (in and out of the crate),since we have radiant heat in the floors, his cough has completely cleared. Of course he slept in the crate in our room at night. First night he cried quite a bit and Tootsie,our female, who had "taken him under her wing", was very concerned---kept running back and forth from the crate to me. He only cried the first night and then has been a angel ever since. Tootsie is teaching him "boxer play"---she is gently playing tug, showing how to "ear and leg bite" (that is part of how she plays) and just "how to be a boxer." She has been so good with him. He even tried to nurse when he first came and she just let him "inspect"---she has truely been "miss mother." The puppy, on the other hand, is not quite sure of Leroy and Leroy not quite sure of him. (Lee has a different play style than Tootsie-we also only let one dog play at one time so it isn't so overwhelming) They have both been a little "leary" of one another---until today---They seem more comfortable playing with each other and were interacting better. We think Leroy's "nose was a little out of joint" since Tootsie was giving the pup ALOT of attention.
It has been so cold--when we take him out to tinkle we put on a fleece coat (that my former Shih Tzu wore) to keep him warm. When we first put it on him, he looked like a chihuahua in an oversized coat!---was just too cute! Since then he has grown into the coat somewhat. At that time, the first few days we had him, we had some concernas about his legs. They were somewhat bowed at the top, feet turned in, and rolled over. It didn't seem to bother him though----ran around and played with no problem. After about 5 days of some nutritious food, enzymes and some much needed exercise, his legs started to change for the better and within the week, actually "self-healed" and looked normal! Yeah! Think he is going to be a big boy---those feet are a pretty good size!
We decided to call him "Spanky". Don't know why, the name just came to mind when the vet asked for a name. He is doing fabulous on his potty training--or maybe he has us trained! We take him out after he eats, after he sleeps, f it approaches two hours (use to be an hour), etc, and he hardly has any accidents. As soon as you take him out he does his "business" and then right back in the house. His crate has been dry in the morning---we carry him out and have him on a tiny leash to get him use to walking in the yard, teaching him not to pull. He is doing great with simple manners. (We always start training early---feel that consistency is key)---sitting before he eats and waiting to come out of the crate. He is such a good boy. Even my dad at Christmas said "Spanky is a great dog and is going to make someone very happy"---and my dad is not really a dog person!
I took Spanky to where I work to socialize him a little and he did quite well---people asked about him/NLBR , especially one person who lost their boxer last year, and stated that "maybe it was time"! He definately is a little "people magnet"---draws those people right to him, as puppies usually do!
That's about it for now, we are having a great time with Spanky and luckily our work schedules are such that we are able to spend a lot of time how with him. We have always had puppies so are use to spending the time to teach them the ropes! Attached, and in a seperate e-mails (don't know how many will send with this e-mail), I will send some pictures. Will keep you updated! Hugs to all---Thanks Aunt Dee! Diane, Gary, Tootsie, Leroy and Spanky!