Puck update

Puck is growing fast. We boarded him during our holiday vacation and came back to a bigger puppy. I'm guessing that he's about 20 pounds -- twice Tinker's weight. The receptionists also commented on how he is the nicest American Eskimo they've seen in awhile. Rather than snapping at people, he loves on them. And yes, he's still a bit afraid of strangers.

He was neutered at about five months of age -- pretty much as soon as his testicles dropped. No marking of territory, he won't ever lift his leg to pee, and he's still full of energy.

A behavioral issue that we've found and dealt with is his constant thirst. Apparently his mom is the same way -- always panting, always thirsty. So we've been limiting his water in-take (count to ten and he's done) and have a potty pad down by the door. He uses the pad and we're not obsessing over health problems.

Commands -- sit is solid but often confused with down (this is normal), down is understood with hand command but he pounces as if he was going to catch our hands and play, wait is getting much better since he can stand still long enough for me to put a bowl on the floor, and our recall is decent. He's a smart little dog. Very sweet, too.

I really really should get him in obedience classes if just for socialization. He is capable of so many things, but I'm going to need some help with his attention span.

growing up

Puck is growing. His ears stand straight up, he can jump up on the couch, and by now I'm sure his weight is quickly approaching Tinker's measly ten pounds. He's had almost all of his puppy shots. Soon, I hope, we can get him neutered.

Training hasn't progressed much, but I'm trying to work on basic manners before we're in an obedience class. "Sit" is solid. Recall... eh. "Wait" is a difficult concept, but it will come. Puck understands what inside and outside are, what he has to do to get fed, and that people will love on him if he sits. The next big thing is leash training -- I don't use one with him since he doesn't wander too far. But we need to start.

He's a bit afraid of strangers. He'll back up and bark at them (which everyone thinks is cute), but will let strangers pet and hold him after being introduced. It's a good thing that Puck warms up quickly to people.

Moving back and forth from home to my parent's house doesn't seem to affect either of the dogs much. When we get there, they know where we are and everyone is all excited. No problems riding in the car and Puck doesn't mind staying in the crate the entire drive.

Really, not a bad start.

five months later...

There's been quite a few changes over the last few months. First of all, Tinker is now about 10 months old and pretty much done growing. She's still around 10 pounds which makes her more of a mini than a standard, but that's not such a big deal. I'd rather have small dogs for a variety of reasons. Secondly, although she's learned her manners, she has started to show aggressive/protective behavior around strangers. I think part of that is my fault -- when we would be waiting around in airports, she'd sit in my lap. And she's still okay if she's in my lap or being held. The worst is that we reinforce the behavior when we pick her up as soon as she's started to bark at visitors. So, I'm kind of at a loss.

Bottom line is that I don't think I'm going to be able to task-train Tinker. Aside from the behavioral issues, I don't feel that she responds to simple commands with enough speed and consistency. Dachshunds do have a mind of their own, and she is very smart. I just don't have the confidence that she would be able to respond the way I would need her to.

(On the other hand, apparently seeing-eye dogs start their training at a year old.)

There is a new addition to the "pack". Puck, a (mini?) American Eskimo, was shipped to me last week. At eight weeks, he understands the voice command and hand signal for sit and I'm pretty confident that I can teach him other simple commands with ease. He's not afraid of people, he's not shy, and it seems that the breeder did a wonderful job in producing a happy, healthy, well socialized puppy. Officially he's considered a "pet", but I wonder... If he became a working dog, the down sides would be size since most people expect working dogs to be bigger and his thick coat which gives him a low tolerance for heat. But, he is young. And for now it's more than enough that he is terribly cute.

In other news, my fiance found an apartment that came with an awesome landlord. Our landlord is an animal lover and in lieu of a pet deposit, we're paying to have the carpets scrubbed when we leave. Apparently the carpet is ten years old and he is thinking of ripping it out when we leave. So yes, awesome landlord who is more than happy to have a bunch of four-legged critters running around.

it's official!

Shortly after my last post, Tinker officially became an emotional support dog.

I had to go back to Walter Reed earlier this month. At first, we were going to board her -- I had even set all of that up. After much deliberation, it was decided that she was going. Let the last-minute madness begin.

The woman that does my meds wrote up my letters. She was more than happy to do so and had them ready for me in less than two days. One was for my university, and the other for Tinker. Step number one -- the biggest one -- was done and out of the way. Time to move on to the four-legged side of paperwork.

First of all, I want to let you know that my vet is awesome. They squeezed me in just hours after I had called, as well as getting me everything I had requested and more. A quick check-up at half price, a rabies shot, a health certificate, and a short note stating that she is healthy, up to date on her shots, and is seen at the vet regularly. They even put a copy of the note from the VA prescribing her to me in her file. Seriously, awesome.

Tink was all ready to come with us. Unfortunately, the hotel we were staying in was a little resistant. My mom and I each called once. I was told that I needed to have a note from my doctor at Walter Reed and that my dog needed to be seen by a military veterinarian in order to be allowed to stay -- even though I already had all of the necessary paperwork. My mom calls, explains we're staying for only one night and with that in consideration, they changed their answer.

The hotel employees were everything from a bit rude to the usual "aw, what a cute puppy!" While checking in, Tinker barked once at something and I got a rather cold warning that she "better not do that all night." No, she won't, she'll be quiet and sleep all night. Which she did.

In the end, I'm just glad that I carry an envelope of paperwork in her backpack. It makes a world of a difference.

great big grey area

Service animals have to be accommodated, regardless if someone in the area is allergic. They have access rights. They can stay in hotels-without a pet deposit.

The only two situations where emotional support animals legally have to be accommodated is on aircraft and in pet-free horsing. Greyhound permits them, Amtrak does not.

I can't find any information that concerns hotels. If an ES dog is neither a service dog or a pet, then what?

Welcome to the big grey area. Let's see if I can navigate it.

work and puppies don't mix

After much drama and that tiny stipulation of doing what they tell me to, Tinker is no longer welcome at work. Which is quite sad, because she is a very well-behaved puppy (not to mention cute). It's such a good thing that I don't belong to the unit I work with - I have a feeling that Monday is going to suck.

There were two reasons I was taking her to work: she's a letter away from being an official emotional support animal, and she needs to be properly socialized before I can consider training her to be a service animal. Going to work was helping both of us - I was not as anxious and she was making good progress.

But, such is life. I didn't have proper authorization to bring her, she doesn't have her official letter, and emotional support animals don't have the same access rights as service animals. Luckily, I didn't get in trouble for bringing Tinker or how I left work yesterday. Something about leaving without telling my job site supervisor, insubordination to an officer, and I wouldn't be surprised if my supervisor tried to add more BS to that list. If my med board goes smoothly, I don't think I'll be working for The Man for much longer.

The good thing? Tinker definitely did her job yesterday. Good dog.

simple wish

I wish you could understand people talk so I could tell you how much you mean to me.