We got our pup!
After haunting the shelter over the past few weeks we found our pup a couple days ago. Someone surrendered a litter of
14 six-week old boxer/heeler puppies last week, 12 boys and 2 girls. The shelter held them until they were over seven weeks old for observation, and I happened to stop by the day they put the first several pups out.
I usually try to find 8 week pups, but I figured since these guys were together through week seven then it would be close enough.
I played with four pups, and they were all cute as buttons (as all pups are) but the only one I really liked was the little female. In the midst of all the rough-and-tumble and shelter barking and people coming and going she was the only one who met our gaze, calmed down, and connected. When we took her out into the meet and greet room she played with us, listened really well, and had a very soft mouth. She reacted to our daughter perfectly. Whenever she happened to puppy-nip a little to hard all we had to do was let out a loud "
YIP" and she would immediately stop. She seemed smart as a whip: a gentle "ah-ah" was enough to keep her from jumping up. She was calm without being lethargic or overly submissive, bright eyed, and playful.
Unfortunately she was already pending adoption! The sign said that if her adoption was not finalized by 9:30am the next morning then she would become available. I took a chance and showed up the next morning, and she was still there. So I got to adopt her. Yea!
Our girl is sweet and cute. She resembles a boxer with less extra skin around her face. She even uses her forelegs like a boxer, batting at things like she is a cat. She is a dark brindle with a white chest and white tips on all four paws. She has such a good nature, is so friendly, and loves to play. We are doing great with crate training so far, and it has only been 24 hours. We have been super careful and have not had a single accident in the house, and she already knows the specific place in the yard that we have asked her to eliminate (not bad for 7 weeks old!).
We are very happy with her, and are gearing up toward an intensive year with a new puppy. I know I am going to be tired and that this is going to be a LOT of work.
We are having a lot of fun. it is SO much work, but I just know that with the right love and training she is going to be a super dog!
. He is high energy, but a good walk or game of fetch a day will usually be enough to keep him mellow. He hardly sheds and grooming is a breeze. He loves people, has no dog aggression, but he has a mean bark which nicely intimidates people ringing the door bell--LOL.
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Our pup is about 7 months old and is FINALLY sleeping through the night. Finally.
