The sun finally came out this morning, so we had to get the kiddie pool out (still pictures to follow later today).
But after playing a bit in the pool, Miss Pink, Master Yellow, and Master Blue decided to demonstrate their vocal skills in a good old fashioned puppy-barking match!
Such ferocious puppies (it's too funny to watch these little guys do this, so I had to catch it on video).
Here they are, in two installments, complete with competing vocals (make sure your sound is on):
Is there anything more entertaining than puppies???
Even though we've had a rainy week, we were able to occasionally (rarely) get the pups out for romps in the yard.
One of the basic commands the pups need to learn is "here" (or "come") -- the command to return to their humans.
Puppies are so people-pleasing oriented that it doesn't take much for them to want to come, but we do try to help them transition to the terms they'll use later on.
We start with a high-pitched "puppies" when they're first starting on puppy food to help them associate being called with reward. :)
That progresses to "puppies, here puppies" then to "here puppies" then to just plain old "here." The new owners can help the pups learn their new names by inserting the name after puppies. For Chessie, for example, we started her the same way, then added "here, puppy Chessie." Once she got that, we dropped the word puppy, and simplified it to "here, Chessie."
Here's a brief video of their start on the "here" command (people use "come" too -- either is fine).
Note that sweet Master Red, unbeknownst to Daddy Don, was in the middle of a potty stop when Don called, but he caught up quickly. And again, please excuse my ridiculous high-pitched puppy voice; they seem to hear and be able to locate it better than my regular voice.
We've had a few solid days of rain this week, and that makes for really rammie puppies. Now that they're bigger (7 weeks old now), they really need space to run, but the rains have been too heavy. During the few moments we had of lighter rain (notice dry deck where pups are and wet deck outside the pen), I was at least able to get them outside.
One of the skills we try to help the pups learn before they leave us is how to navigate steps. Sometime we use a step-aerobic block; other times (like above) we use a sturdy, non-tipping set stool. Master Green has staked his claim on the step stool. Like Snoopy playing vulture from his doghouse, Master Green perches on the stool.
Inside, the poor little pups just want people attention.
Happy Master Yellow still needs his forever home; but what a happy, indomitable boy he is!
He doesn't take his eyes off us when we're in the room with them.
Nor does Master Green (who also needs his forever home -- all the other pups are reserved now).
"Go ahead; make my day!" (Note Miss Lime's expression)
"Well, maybe not; let's just be friends.' (note change in Miss Lime's expression)
And Master Green watches the world go by, while Master Red prances.
This can't be comfortable for Master Green! (Sorry about the glare on this series of pics; I was trying to capture the pups without them knowing I was there, so I took these through the back door window.).
The thinker.
"Watcha doin' Red?"
The pups get bored and restless together indoors (Yellow is sitting; Pink is looking over her shoulder). So we've done all kinds of things this week during our rainy days. We had our first doggie biscuit treats; we've worked 1:1 on some basic obedience (smart little puppies); we've pulled out even more puzzle toys (Labs love a challenge); we've even exposed them to rain! And all have done marvelously!
