I want a puppy - hubby doesn't.... can I change his mind? EDIT: HE HAS!!

blue_monkey_2

AM, if we are playing with the puppy and she starts mouthing she has a soft hippo toy or a Kong and I give her that instead so she can mouth that. The kids still play with her because she wants to play but she mouths that instead. It stops little teeth catching tiny skin because while she does not mean to hurt she has sharp little teeth.

We also give her food (like those sticks they chew) then put our hand in her mouth and take it away briefly then give it back to her, this way should any of the kids nick her food she knows that we will be giving it back and she will not bite or snap for the food. Hopefully. She quite happily gives the food up now and waits to get it back.

It is all a learning curve for us but I hope you have as much fun with your little one as we are having with ours. Killing time at the moment while we wait for the training school tonight. And I managed to get the housework done. Hooray!! The house is completely tidy for the first time since we got her, LOL. Oooh I just remembered I've not cleaned the sky box and printers in the cupboard though and the dust get's in. Not quite finished.

And I do understand the good work that shelters do but what I was saying is that had we not bought our dog she no doubt would have got too old and been sent to a shelter. However, as we was paying for her another family came in and asked about her and was told she was gone so we got her just in time!! I was given quite a dirty look though when I looked over at them.

stargaze_3

Please remember, that even though you think that the puppy will be alright with your cats, -- your cats MAY be very frightened of the puppy, please think of the wellbeing of the animals you already have first. - I know a puppy is small to us, but to cats they can be something to fear. -- We know, that the pup wont harm them, and only wants to chase the cat and play, but to the cat it can be something to be really frightened of. best wishes - stargaze