Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Ready....

Reilly and I are now registered for his first puppy class, which starts on September 6. He has to be four months old and have all his shots, and he'll get in just under the wire. That's good. He needs to get in his classes before he gets too big and unruly for me to handle. In the meantime, we'll be working on some basic manners. I'm going to start taking him to the park each day for a walk. Practice leash walking, getting used to outside distractions, such as squirrels and other dogs, and getting out. Feels funny to take a dog off-farm for exercise. Murphy and Jake are perfectly pleased to just play pasture soccer, and are only on a leash to go to the vet. So many things will need to be done differently with Reilly.

I sure hope he approves this name. I've run a list of names for months, then shortened it last week. I've sorta morphed into calling him Reilly, even though that's not the name I was intending to choose for him.

Yesterday my niece, Sydney, and I picked up a few things for our puppy trip. A stuffed cuddly for him in his crate. A rope toy, ball and hedgehog. The rope is to get him used to the feel of those in his mouth. Mastiffs usually love to play with ropes, and I'll want to use that tendency. Ropes attached to doors and cabinets mean he can open those for me. A rope with a hook on it means I can have him open those heavy doors at some stores which do not have electronic doors. Ropes are important. The ball to get him to start retrieving things. Mastiffs aren't as good at retrieving as the hunting breeds, but they will do it. Getting him started early with a ball will help. The hedgehog is simply because that's the most popular mastiff toy in our house. Murphy loves squeaky hedgehogs. We have them everywhere.

We also picked up a collar and lead and a lovely little poop bag tube that snaps to collar or belt loop. Practical things. I'll need to pack food and water for the trip, too. And bowls, of course.

Just a few more days. I'm not waiting. Not nervous. Not excited. Oh, no. Not me.

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