Today Reilly went for his first official "walk". We loaded up him, me, Chris and Murphy in the Element, and went to the park at 5:30 this morning. There are a couple miles of paths there. No, I did not take a nine week old puppy on a marathon walk, for you worriers. We walked around the outside of a kiddy baseball field, and that was it. Still a pretty good walk for a little guy, and we took breaks. It was valuable in beginning lessons on not picking up and eating everything you find on the ground. At home we have leaves and sticks and the occasional pebble outside. Or feather. At the park there was the occasional bottle top, far too many nasty cigarette butts (Even when I smoked, I did not throw those on the ground...ugh.) and assorted other things. Mastiffs, particularly as puppies, seem to think everything out there is edible, and have to be convinced otherwise. But there were so many distractions that it was easy to get him to let go of his treasures and go on.
Another benefit to the walk is there are people out walking and running the paths. He needs to get used to other people, but not have lots of people running up to pet the puppy. (He'll be able to be petted as a working dog, but it'll work better for us if he's the one approaching the person. People should always ask to pet someone else's dog, whether it's a working dog or not.) All those people on the paths are busy getting exercise, so while the runners smile, and the walkers speak and say hello, or comment on the cute pup, they are not apt to break their breathing pattern to stop and pet. All good for Reilly.
And good for Murphy. He's not used to going off-farm, and has been getting more defensive lately. So Murphy and Jake will take turns going and get some off-farm socialization done. Chris might get an arm work-out, as they aren't loose-leash trained. Something else to work on.
I had hoped we'd get the morning bathroom breaks done on the walk, and was armed with poop bags. Nothing. We came home, left Reilly to play in the backyard while we went to feed the livestock, and when we returned, still nothing. After about fifteen minutes inside, he started getting restless, so I invited him out. When we got to the mudroom, he headed for the paper, but when I rang the bell, he came back and waited for me to open the door. Then we went out, he pooped, and was ready to come in and go to bed.
We're off to a great start today! Hope it continues.
8:48 pm:
Overall a really good day. Far more pottying outside than in, although it's so hot that none of us want to stay out long. Murphy is exhibiting some jealousy, although not in a form directed against Reilly. He's just very velcro-y, wanting in laps more than normal. Jake is doing the same to a lesser extent. He's never been a pushy guy. We've been trying to be very careful to give them lots of attention since Reilly came, and not have them feel neglected, but apparently it's not quite enough. We'll keep working on it.
Reilly discovered carrots today. Oh. My. Gosh. He thought that was the best thing going. You can toss, it, chase it, drop it in a bowl of kibble and then dig it out again, and at long last, you can even eat it! How wonderful! Murph and Jake never thought much of carrots. Chris gave one of them a chunk while he was making himself a salad, and of course he dropped it. Chris scooted it to Reilly, who thought he'd gone to heaven. So hilarious! We tried him with a second piece later, after a potty break outdoors. The big guys were asking for a t. r. e. a. t. when they came in, and they wanted something yummy, like jerky. Too much protein for the little guy in those, and sweet potato sticks are too sticky for little sharp puppy teeth. (Ask me how I know.) The carrot fit the bill perfectly. I'll have to see how he feels about broccoli and a few other veggies, too. And apples. Even the big guys like apples.
A good day today. Lots of leash practice, but little else.
Meg and Reilly
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