Welp, we have started our third week with Stella. So that means we’ve lasted two weeks. That’s 14 days. It feels like it’s been five months. I’m so tired. She’s so needy, and I can’t really take my eyes off of her during this potty training
…….honest story—I wrote that first paragraph after we walked Stella a long time and decided she could go in her playpen to chill. I look over at her and she is sniffing. I get up to take her out to poop and realize she’s already peed. Ugh!!!! Took her out, washed her bed and toys, cleaned the floor and put her in her crate. She cannot be trusted.
Anyway, it’s another morning now with Stella. We have a routine.
I get her out of the crate at 6:30am. She goes pee and poo outside. We come in and I get the coffee going. Then I spend some time training her with our latest homework assignment from Adam, the dog trainer. Rolo jumps in on this because treats are involved. We play with some toys and chill in the kitchen while I unload the dishwasher until 7:30. At that time I put her in her crate with a Kong so I can have my time with The Lord. I think we all know this is a necessity in order to make it through the day with this puppy. She usually goes to sleep in the crate.
After this, the routine is rough but it’s basically awake for almost two hours, crate or playpen for an hour or so. She and Rolo are doing somewhat better together. I mean, better than Rolo growling and snipping at her. They can be in the same room. They haven’t played together really yet, which is super disappointing. But I’m proud of Rolo putting up with her. Part of me wishes Rolo couldn’t handle her so we would have to give her away…..kidding. Sort of.
Anywayyyyyyy, here’s to week three of puppy training. Chat GPT says it gets better by week 16-20. And the trainer says she considered an adult at six months. Hmmmmm. Hard to believe either of those things, but
Ok, I was interrupted again. Six hours later—-
We have had some successful potty sessions this afternoon, so that’s good!!!! Stella is learning to ring the bells hanging from the door so she can go out. So maybe she will be able to tell me before she has to go out??? That’s the plan! She walked towards the door at 3:15 today. While she didn’t ring the bell, she made the walk over near the door, so I rang the bell with her and took her out and she pooped!!
Slowly but surely Stella is making the connection. And if we can get her pottying outside only then I think I can handle anything else. I think.
