Despite appearances, puppies have no idea how to play with other dogs. In fact, puppies only come equipped with three settings.
Setting 1: Full speed ahead
Setting 2: Fight to stay awake
Setting 3: Off
When Penny is awake, it’s “Setting 1” all the way. Every action is done with maximum intensity and minimal (if any) restraint. When it comes to playing with other dogs, that strategy has worked fine. Both Auggie and Eko can toss Penny around like a chew toy, so her pouncing attacks don’t bother them in the least.
Eko teaches Penny the strategies of play, but since he is generally impervious to Penny’s attacks he is not well suited to teach her restraint.
Luckily “JAWS” knows restraint himself, otherwise Penny would be fish food!
Recently we had a visit from our friend’s dogs to help instruct Penny on the finer points of dog manners.
With their professorial beards, these pups played the part of teacher quite wellÂ
Penny’s not old enough for a visit to the dog park/beach quite yet, but visits with healthy, vaccinated dogs offer a good introductory class on proper socialization skills.
Penny tried to start a wild romp and was quite confused when her offer was rebuffed
“Hey, they’re not doing anything, what gives?”
It’s great that Penny has a dog brother and a dog cousin she can really let loose with, but learning how to play (and when not to play) is just as important to Penny’s development as a fun and courteous romper.
There’s a lot of things I have to teach Penny, but there’s also a lot of things she can only learn from her four legged brethren. The good news is that with all our dog pals around the city, Penny will have plenty of opportunities to study.
1. She’s so cute I can barely stand it! 2. Totally agree, there are corrections other dogs can make that create so much more impact than if a human tried to implement it!
Penny is blessed to have you, ohhhhh her face is just toooooooooooooooo adorable!
She is just too damn cute.
She is a lot bigger than we thought already. How much does she weigh? She will learn it all in time, the main thing is that she is having fun.
looks like she is leaping to the occasion Woof
That last photo is so sweet! It’s great that she has dog friends to get her socialised from such an early age… penny you’ll be up to speed in no time!
Hugs, Carrie and pups x
OMG, Penny! That confused look is priceless. Get used to it, sister. You’ll be confused and clueless for a while, then you’ll get it.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Artemis was 7mos when I got her but this really reminds me of her early days. Apollo would just lay there sometimes and she would crawl all over him, tug at his ears, bark anything to try to get his attention and he would just ignore her until he was good and ready.
Penny will learn like all puppies do. And she’ll be adorable in the process.
Love those photos! Penny will learn, and quickly, I’m sure, from her family and the new friends she’ll make. Meanwhile, cherish the wonderful puppiness in her, it doesn’t last long! 🙂
Great point…puppy manners are a really important lesson.
We are loving every minute of the Penny documentary – so much to learn.
Wally & Sammy
Loving reading the posts at the moment…. Eko looks like he is being an amazing big brother. It is gorgeous.
Cute post and GREAT shots!
Eko will be Penny’s best trainer 🙂
Penny is so adorable. Yes, continue to socialize her. You are a great pet parent, Will.
She’s coming along so well!
She’s such a cutie!
Love both Penny’s and Eko’s faces in the wrangling photo. Too cute.
She is so adorable. It’s amazing how much puppies learn from other dogs, it looks like you’re doing a great job with her. When my pup was little I wish we could have borrowed an older dog full time to teach her some manners, she responded so much quicker once we got all the elder dogs involved.
You have terrier friends! You’s better watch it, or that terrier will turn Penny into one of us.
Hehe, those little dudes really do look like old professors. Cuteness overflows in the hood.