Zack's home!

[absmom18]

My dog never responded to my kids either, like she did me.  she is starting to respond (ie respect) what Abby tells her to do.  Your puppy is so dang cute!  makes me want another!!

[Rebelicious]

My dog would CREATE mysteries . . like where is that other shoe, and why do my socks look like this???

[Leah]

Maybe Ian needs some milkbones when he does something good!  LMAO at dog doesn't solve mysteries!

[Squeaky]

<Sigh>

Ian's decided the dog is stupid. The only playing the dog can do is rough play, and they're not allowed to do that ("But it doesn't hurt!" "Not yet, but it will. We don't want bad habits.") Ian REALLY wants to play fetch, but can't understand that Zack doesn't actually know HOW to play fetch. You have to teach him everything. "Stupid dog! He should know! All dogs know how. He's stupid!" Stomp stomp stomp- that's Ian stomping away.

He doesn't sit (he does actually, just not for Ian), doesn't come (again, he does, but not for Ian), doesn't shake hands, doesn't roll over, doesn't fetch, doesn't solve mysteries (thank you Scooby Doo), doesn't do anything fun and exciting, he just sleeps. No fun for crazy monkey little boys. Ugh.

So, we'll keep trying to train Ian. Keep trying to get the cat to accept the dog. Keep trying to get the dog to not see the cat as another puppy. Remind the big kids that Ian needs attention to. And try not to go completely off the deep end in the meantime.

Oh. And by the way. BEST DOG EVER! Total pain in the azz puppy, but he's SO smart and loving. He's adopted me as mum as much as we've adopted him. LOVING HIM!

[Leah]

awwwww

[Squeaky]

And here's "the guys." lol

[Squeaky]

I don't know that New Zealand does dog parks. I don't recall ever seeing one since being here. But we will take him for walks, and to the park, and, like today, just out with us. We went to a street fair and he was a big hit! We've got a lot of training to do, but all in all he did pretty well. He's certainly not shy- he ate up all the attention- but he's not aggressive at all either. Of course, right now he's just a big goofy puppy, but we want to keep socializing him so that he keeps up the friendly behavior. It's quite amazing how quickly he's picking up the training.

[Nmommy]

I just love to see dog's being soooo happy, it is almost as if they are yelling "FRRREEEDDDOOOOMMMMM" as they run! If you have a dog park close by, I highly recommend taking your new family member to it.

It really helped train my monster how to interact properly with other dogs, now she is the trainer for the annoying ones.

Good luck with your new puppy!
Mary

[Leah]

How cool!! You saved the dog and Ian has a buddy to grow up with that can take some of the blame for things that 'just happen' around the house!

[absmom18]

Aw! I'm glad you gave him a happy home.  I bet it will work out great.

[Squeaky]

Asha, the cat, is not too happy with us, but she's dealing. I took Zack outside when we got home for a little bit to give the cat a break. Took him off the leash and he FLEW! I've never seen a dog run quite that fast! All four feet off the ground, ears back, tail out, tongue out, and wow he looked happy. Did a few laps of the yard (and it's not a small yard) before he settled down a bit.....sort of. He's an energetic little thing.

Although, at the moment the poor thing's exhausted! Ian's home and so Zack's not getting any rest. Any time anyone moves, he comes to attention and has to follow. But the boys have bonded.....it's really cute. At the moment they're piled together on the bean bag chair. lol