Comfy?

A playful night & Christmas lights

Last night Molly decided that it was time I learnt to fall asleep without her because she wants me to be independent enough to manage if she can't be there. I didn't like this idea though & being alone combined with me not being very sleepy meant I cried for a long time & woke the whole household up! I eventually fell asleep at 2.20am after Molly's dad & brother helped her wear me out - & they had some pizza while they were up as they thought they ought to make the best of things! Molly has done some work throughout today to try get me more used to being in the crate & being alone & plans to tire me out before leaving me on my own again tonight. The whole family are aware I might cry for a few nights before I learn to soothe myself/fall asleep on my own but think this is the best way to do it. So we'll see how things go. Looking at the positives though I did sleep from 2.20am til 7am this morning which Molly was quite impressed with.

This morning Molly's mum & dad dog sat for a few hours so she could get a bit more sleep after her disturbed night. I had a lot of fun playing in the garden while her dad did some work out there. When her mum looked after me I did a wee on the floor, which was my first accident in the house since being home. Molly doesn't blame me though - she suspects that I might have not had much warning after waking up from a deep sleep & that her mum might not have recognised the signs as well as she does.

This afternoon the Christmas lights were switched on in our village. Molly carried me round there to socialise & I had lots of attention from various people. I was slightly worried by the sound of a baby crying & an especially noisy motorbike but I was really confident with everything else (including toddlers stroking me) & Molly was very proud of me.

Today I let Molly brush me without trying to chew the brush quite as much as I usually do. And she was able to put my lead on me for a little while before I tried to eat it!

We said in the last post that we hoped to share some photos with you this time so here's one that Molly took while I was having cuddles with her mum

And here are a few of me asleep on Molly

 

Thanks for reading and thank you for helping my blog get over 2000 views so far. I hope my stories & photos are making people smile.

Watching the darts

 

Settling in & getting more adventurous

I've been continuing to settle in at home & am still surprising everyone with my confidence - virtually nothing worries me. I've been meeting the chickens over the last couple of days & have been very well behaved - they don't scare me (even though Dolly can be quite noisy when she squawks at me) & I don't bother them. I'm far more interested in other things - the garden is so exciting, I love running round & exploring out there. I like investigating things with my mouth so I've tried eating grass, leaves, bark chippings & chicken poo. When I'm placed outside the back door (to use the toilet or to play) I bound away in my eagerness, it's quite funny to watch.

Investigating things with my mouth hasn't been quite as welcomed inside the house though. I've found some bits of the tiled floor that have been filled that I like to try to chew at & dig up but Molly put vinegar on there to deter me - yuk yuk yuk! I'm also biting clothes & fingers when I get excited, despite having plenty of my own chew toys. Molly & her family are trying a few different things to teach me that it isn't appropriate so we'll see how they go.

When I'm tired I now take myself into my crate (where my bed is) where I sometimes settle down & sleep and sometimes play. I like Molly to be around as I fall asleep though & I try to chew/scratch my way out if she closes the door before I'm sleepy enough. Once I'm sound asleep at night she covers it with some blackout material which helps me sleep more soundly.

Here are a couple of photos of me falling asleep or asleep in my crate. Can you see my little pink tongue on the first one? And I was pretending to be a sausage dog on the second.
 

 

 

Sometimes I fall asleep in different places as I like being close to people. Here I am sleeping on Molly's hand! When this happens she usually puts me in my crate because she wants me to learn to sleep in there.

 

Sometimes Molly wakes me up in the night to go to the toilet & sometimes I wake her up if I need a wee first. She's bought a baby monitor now so she'll be able to sleep back in her bedroom again without worrying about not hearing me in the night. I haven't had a single accident in the house yet, which we think is a combination of the breeders getting me off to a good start with toilet training & Molly being very observant at spotting the signs that I need to go & taking me out regularly as well.

I haven't been too good at going back to sleep at night after a trip outside to to the toilet. I tend to want to play but Molly doesn't.

I've got a new favourite toy that crinkles when I play with it.
 

 

And Molly's parents found me a little plastic ball that is the perfect size for me. I bat it around & carry it in my mouth. I tried a Kong yesterday but didn't really understand it. And Molly is currently giving me a Nylabone to chew when she leaves me to eat her meals but although I liked it when I first tried it yesterday I wasn't interested when I was alone. We're going to keep working at very short times of separation though because Molly knows it's an important thing for me to get used to. I'm ok being away from Molly if someone else is with me but I don't like being left alone completely. I am still young though, just 8 weeks old.

I've had a couple of exciting trips out. Last night I went to a meeting of a knitting & literature group (Knit Lit) in the village where I had some cuddles & today I went to the vet for a routine check up. Both trips went really well & I was good in the car too.

This morning someone who missed me at the knitting & literature group meeting last night popped in for a cuddle. It was nice to see her but I was very sleepy so we're encouraging other guests to contact Molly in advance if they're planning to come round.

I tried to get out the (closed) cat flap a couple of times yesterday - it doesn't work! That's probably a good thing though because the drop at the other side would be too big for me. Sometimes when Molly isn't fast enough at putting her shoes on I jump out of the back door but Molly would rather I didn't because I'm still a bit small & might hurt myself.

 

I was a bit mesmerised by the washing machine going round yesterday so had fun watching that. I was brought up in a kitchen so none of the noisy machines bother me.

Molly has tried to do a bit more work on teaching me to 'sit' but because I'm so wriggly she's struggling to get the timing of rewarding me quite right. We'll get there though. We're also still working out which treats I like best - they all tend to be a bit big for me so need breaking up.

Yesterday Molly accidentally stepped on my paw when we were out in the garden but it didn't hurt for long & didn't stop me running around. I've stopped getting under her feet as much now but still follow her & the rest of her family around closely. We haven't started trying to learn a recall officially yet but I've been practising running after Molly in the garden & she gives me lots of praise when I return to her.

 

I'm still having lots of fun with the rest of the family too. Molly is trying to encourage her dad & brother not to be so boisterous with me when we play together but they are good at wearing me out so I calm down or sleep. And Molly's mum is always delighted to see me when she wakes up or comes home from work.

 

The rest of the family have all been looking after me for short periods so Molly can have a little time to herself & in some cases a chance to catch up on some sleep.

 

Update: Since writing the above we've been practising short periods of separation (in the car, while Molly & her family eat & just in my crate) & Molly tells me I'm doing really well. I whine a little bit if I can't see anyone or am not getting attention but I quickly settle down or go to sleep.

 

Apologies for the lack of photos, Molly hopes to have more for the next blog update but I either tend to be asleep or too energetic to stay still for a picture! And my black fur means that some of the photos Molly takes don't come out very well.

Ok, here's a final photo for you, taken about 30 seconds ago. This is how I've helped Molly write up this blog post for me - by lying/sleeping on her left arm, making typing quite a slow process!

My first night at home

Molly didn't get much sleep last night but I was relatively well behaved & didn't have any accidents. After a few wees before Molly went to bed I slept for 4 hours & even then I only got up to do a wee when Molly woke me. She wanted to make sure she wasn't too late though so had already been awake for an hour listening out for me. After that wee at 3.30am I was lonely & worried that Molly was going to leave me but with lots of patience she eventually (after about an hour) persuaded me to go back to sleep til 7am.

So far this morning I've given Molly a very thorough 'good morning' lick, eaten breakfast, had two successful toilet trips outside, played, nibbled Molly's fingers until she redirected me to my rope toys & barked a bit - oops. And then after that burst of activity I started to fall asleep on Molly so she put me in my crate but now I'm here I've decided it's more fun to play with/chew/try to kill the toy that is supposed to comfort me & chew the bars of my crate (Molly wasn't too impressed when I first tried both these things in the early hours of this morning!) than sleep.

I'll try to share some photos later.

P.S. I forgot to tell you that I'm 8 weeks (56 days) old today.

My first day at home

Well today has been an exciting day! I'm 55 days old now so it was time to go to my forever home. This morning I said goodbye to my parents & siblings and set off home with Molly, once she'd completed all the official paperwork to become my owner. She was worried about how I'd cope with being separated from all of my brothers and sisters but because I'm quite independent I was ok. In fact I slept for most of the car journey home! I did make sure I slept right at the side of the crate though, as close to Molly as I could get. I didn't even mind when her dad put the car radio on.

 

Molly & her family have been surprised at how well behaved I've been today. I've barked a little bit & tried to nibble a few fingers & items of clothing, but that's my natural behaviour so they understood. They've been very impressed that I already know the word 'no' because my breeders taught it to me, so I haven't got into much mischief. I'm quite outgoing and confident & have barely been phased by anything today. I don't like it when I'm not the centre of attention but I'm getting used to it & tend to accept it after just a little bit of fuss as long as I know I haven't been abandoned.

 

Molly has been really good at recognising the signs that I need the toilet so I haven't had a single accident in the house. Every time I go to the toilet outside I get lots of fuss. Molly had a little try at teaching me the word 'sit' with the use of some treats but despite the treats being designed for puppies she had to break them into quarters for me, otherwise I spat them out! I got a bit overexcited when the treats appeared so we didn't get far with the training but Molly didn't mind because she knows it must all be a bit overwhelming for me at the moment. We think that's also why I've slept so much today.

The rolled up blanket next to me in the picture is one that has the scent of my parents & siblings on it. Molly has also added a second one since that photo was taken with her scent on it, and there's a ticking clock underneath my bed, so I don't feel as lonely.

 

I let Molly brush me, look at my paws, tummy & ears (& mouth but that was a bit more difficult because she wasn't sure what she was doing & didn't want to hurt me), try my harness on me (although it's a bit big for me at the moment) & even put my lead on for a few minutes which I dragged around the house - and tried to chew! I'm already used to wearing a collar but when Molly tried to put my ID tag on it kept getting in the way (partly because it's a bit big & partly because I wasn't used to it so kept trying to chew it), so she's taken it off again for the time being and might try it again tomorrow. Although I've tried chewing a few inappropriate things I haven't chewed hard enough to cause any damage & have been relatively easily distracted from it. And Molly knows that as puppies we use our mouths to explore the world.

Molly isn't sure yet what kind of toys I like best but I had a play with a few today - tuggy ones & ones I can chew.

The whole family have fallen in love with me. Molly's mum didn't want to leave me to go to work this afternoon but Molly assured her that she didn't miss much because I slept most of the time she was gone. The photos below are of me playing tug with Molly's younger brother & then kissing & playing a game with her dad.

I have also caused some amusement today with my strange ways but Molly said that I've joined quite an odd family so ought to fit in :P I'm not the most observant so when I'm distracted & walking sideways I have collided with a few bits of furniture & knees, oops! I keep getting hiccoughs which makes everyone laugh & I like chasing & trying to eat fallen leaves in the garden. I've fallen asleep in a couple of odd positions at unexpected times but Molly couldn't take any photographs on this occasion because it was too dark & I was asleep on her. She hopes to get some another time though.

Molly is a bit apprehensive about tonight but she thinks I'll be fine being on my own, she just wants to try to make sure that she gets me outside in time to go to the toilet. I hope to report back tomorrow.

P.S. I would just like to clarify that I'm a male dog because there has been a bit of confusion regarding that from some of Molly's friends & blog readers. I can understand that though because I'm just referring to myself as 'I' so gender isn't obvious. And for those who weren't aware, I'm named after Dorothy's dog, Toto, in The Wizard of Oz.

Heading home & thank you

I'm now on my way home with Molly. I hope to write a proper update in the next couple of days with details of how I've settled in & some photos but for the time being we just wanted to say a huge thank you to Lisa & Jonathan at Tyesmead Miniature Schnauzers for giving me such a good start in life (over my first 55 days) & giving Molly so much support, which they've promised will continue even once I'm home with her. They have a website here so please have a look.

One day to go!

Just one more day left now til I go home with Molly! She's coming to collect me tomorrow morning & we're both very excited. She's stopped counting down the days & is now counting down the hours! I know I'll be sad to leave my parents & siblings behind though. It's the right time though because I'm 54 days old today so am getting to the stage where I need some one-to-one attention.

This is my mum, Lola

 

 

And this is my dad, Toby

 

 

This is me with all my brothers & sisters (I'm on the far right) last Friday, so we were 49 days old

 

 

And this is all of us yesterday morning (53 days old) having fun out in the frosty garden.

Molly isn't sure which one is me though

 

 

Molly & her family have almost finished making the house (or at least the rooms I'll have access to til I'm toilet trained), passage & garden puppy proof and should be completely ready for my arrival by the end of the day. They keep falling over the boards & stair gates they've put up though but they know they'll get used to them & it'll be worth it to keep me safe. Molly has been getting a bit stressed about insurance because she feels it's such an important thing to get right, but she's almost made a decision now.

 

Once I get home I'm going to have a few days to settle in before seeing the vet for a check up on Saturday & starting socialisation (the word Molly is using to include both socialisation, getting me used to people, and habituation, getting me used to things).

I'm hoping to update this blog as often as I can to share my adventures (& photos) with you all but I'm not sure how things will go & how I'll settle in once I'm home so apologies if there are a few gaps of a few days between posts.

Bath time!

Molly has been missing me a lot since she last came to visit & can't wait for me to come home in 8 days. She was cheered up today though when she saw a photo of me after yesterday's bath. Don't I look funny! I was 46 days old here.

 

 

The last of all the dog supplies Molly needed to buy arrived in the post from Amazon this morning. Or at least she thought it was the last - she's since realised that she needs to get a child lock for the kitchen cupboard containing cleaning stuff so is going to go into town today to try to find one. Her dad put up some stairgates a few days ago to keep me off the carpets until I'm toilet trained and to stop me hurting myself trying to climb the stairs while I'm still little. Together they've just found somewhere for my crate to live & are are planning to puppy proof the house & garden this weekend to prevent me getting into mischief when I arrive. And Molly is looking forward to meeting a fellow miniature schnauzer owner who lives in her village in a couple of days for a chat.

6 weeks old!

Molly came to visit me again this afternoon. I wasn't as sleepy this time so she finally got chance to see me exploring, running around, playing & causing mischief, hehe. One of my owners thought I needed a wee so let me outside, but I didn't really need a wee - I just wanted to play, explore & try eating the plants. I don't think I was supposed to do that though! I'm now 6 weeks (& one day) old & my personality is starting to develop more. I'm quite bold & adventurous. Today I showed Molly how I can play chase with a toy & that I like my tummy being tickled.

 

 

Molly laughed & said it was cute when I sneezed & then later had hiccoughs. She also found it funny when I tried to get milk from my dad - it didn't work though!

 

 

We enjoyed having some more cuddles together

I was pleased at how well Molly seemed to understand me - when I'd been playing & then resting with her for a little while I started squeaking to tell her I wanted to go back with my siblings to have a nap & she knew exactly what I wanted. Once Molly put me back I quickly sprawled out & fell asleep, tired after running around & exploring.

 

My vaccinations have now been booked in with the vet a couple of days earlier than Molly expected. My breeders want to keep me for 24 hours afterwards to make sure I'm ok but they said Molly can come & collect me after that. So I'm now going to go home a couple of days earlier than originally planned which Molly is very excited about. 12 days to go!

Eye test

Hello everyone, it's Toto here again. I'm now 41 days old. The main news I wanted to share is that I passed my eye test yesterday! Us miniature schnauzers can suffer from a couple of different eye problems. Some can only be spotted later in life but for now all looks good.

I thought the car journey to the vets would be exciting but I ended up sleeping for most of it! Molly was happy to hear that because she's hoping I'll be comfortable travelling in the car so she can take me out to visit different places.

Molly hasn't been able to visit again since the last post but my breeders have been keeping her updated. Me & all my brothers and sisters are doing well. They've shared lots of photos with her & she's noticed that in a few of them I'm doing my own thing - looking at something else or wandering off in a different direction to all my siblings. I hope she doesn't think I'm aloof - I like to call it being independent :)

This was taken later the same day that Molly last visited, so I was 28 days old. I've got my green collar on (in this photo & all of the following ones).

This photo was taken when I was 36 days old. I'm in the top right corner.

And these photos were taken after our trip to the vets yesterday (so I was 40 days old) when we had a run around on the patio. See if you can spot me in all of them.

 

Molly is going to come and see me again on Saturday & this time she's hoping to not come so soon after a mealtime as she said she'd like to see me a bit more awake. When she's visited before I've slept most of the time but she's good at cuddling me.

Molly went to Discover Dogs in London on Sunday where she bought me a few things & picked up some free samples of treats for me to taste - yum! She's also been reading lots of Your Dog magazines & arranging for me to meet some other friendly dogs once I get home - just 16 days to go now!

I'll write another post once I've seen Molly again. Thanks for reading my blog.