At 8 months, Mya has been displaying
frustrating puppy activity ... sooo to the "Hastings/Rouse Puppy Development" book we go:
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Family time on the porch ... Looks harmless ;o)
Emma & Mya asleep on bed ... Willow & Sutter on floor |
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Mya Distruction ... "Mom, we told her not to do it!"
(in the company of her sisters and see the "chew bone") |
SECOND FEAR IMPACT PERIOD (6-14 months)
- fear of new situations
- teething as teeth set into the jawbone
- chewing and distruction!
- need for ongoing socialization, socialization and then more socialization!
- hormone surges
- increased excitability
- challenging authority
- desire to roam
... and that's only picking out the activities that Mya displays ... trusting her has been a challenge !!!
- if the doors aren't "double" latched, she's discovered how to push and let herself out onto the porch or outside!
- when outside with us, she likes to explore, both with her sisters and by herself !
- frustratingly pulling out clumps of lawn grass during play (Emma also did this)
- when visitors come, she excitedly jumps all over them (even with all her puppy training) ... also joined and encouraged by "bad examples" of her OLDER sisters !!!!
- the photo above clearly shows that she's not ready to be trusted access to the cool porch with Sutter, Willow and Emma while mom is away ... she enjoys chewing the shells/sand dollars and taking things off the porch table to chew!!!!
- when given a command to sit/down or come, Mya has started to just stare and "think about it" ... guess it's back to the long leash !
Remembering that every dog is different as they mature, Mya is proving that more "puppy proofing" (hook & eye latches, new barriers, crating when 4 girls are left on porch) of the "Camp" is needed ... beyond what was needed as Sutter, Willow and Emma grew up! Have been asking folks to "firmly make her sit" when she greets them!!!
