#how to potty train a puppy how to stop a dog from barking how to house train a puppy how to train a dog crate training a puppy Dog behavior

[uniquevoidflowers]

A couple and their family

Time's POV

I have had a rough life, all sorts of traumatic events making my every decision difficult to make. I am so grateful I am no longer alone though. When I met Malon it was like she had given my grey, miserable world colour. Malon had been able to gently break through my tough barriers and stoic facade. She was and still is mending the wounds in my heart.

Now, we have been married for 8 years and I can recall what joyous day the wedding had been. From even before the wedding to the present, Malon and I have a had a lovely relationship, content with our current living situation. Of course there had been discussion of wanting children to expand their family, Malon especially loving that idea. But I wasn’t so sure I wanted that, after all, I’ve heard of the things that could potentially happen.

Some are positive and some are negative. Instead of disappointing my wife too much, I suggested getting a pet to get a feel for parenting. Malon agreed and shooed me away, since she was allergic to cats and therefore couldn’t enter the pet shop. I found myself driving to the nearest pet shelter, listening to country music and humming along. I then arrived at the pet shelter and swung open the door.

“Welcome to Hyrule’s Pet Shelter! How may I help you today?” A saleswoman greeted me, with a signature smile.

“I’m looking for a dog, perhaps one that really needs a home.” I answered, not bothering to return the smile.

“Of course! Any sort of behavioural things you wouldn’t want in a dog?” The saleswoman asked, maintaining her smile.

I thought for a moment before replying with, “I would prefer a dog that is potty trained. But other than that, I really don’t mind.”

I was confident Malon would say something similar. “Alright. I’ll take you to come meet our most recent puppy Wolfie. He was found wondering the streets and didn’t belong to anyone, or at least nobody rose to claim him. He isn’t particularly social and fought viciously against us but for some unknown reasons he is gentle with children. We haven’t been able to figure out what breed the puppy is, he actually more resembles a wolf pup but his behaviour is entirely different. Which is why everyone has taken to calling him Wolfie. He was surprisingly potty trained when we took him in, so we have a guess that he was abandoned. Poor thing.” The saleswoman explained, walking.

I followed her. My heart ached a little at the thought of abandoning a pet. My thoughts led to this Wolfie. If he was gentle with the young ones, perhaps there was a chance I could train him to be kind towards older people as well. I texted Malon, not entirely sure what to do.

Link: The woman here offered me a puppy named Wolfie, said he was found on the streets. He’s potty trained, aggressive but gentle to children. She doesn’t know the breed though.

Malon: Well, try meeting Wolfie first darling. According to what I’ve read, you must meet the dog first in order to know you’ve got the one you want.

Link: If you say so.

“We’re here. Hi, Wolfie.” The saleswoman waved.

I was greeted by a snarling puppy that looked exactly like a wolf. The puppy had dark, black fur with odd white markings imprinted on his snout. I noticed a shackle on his leg, that had the markings of the ancient Twili. Strange. Wolfie stopped snarling when he sniffed me, and relaxed. “Hello Wolfie.” I approached the puppy warily.

Wolfie barked happily and his tail wagged back and forth. “Looks like he’s drawn to you.” The saleswoman commented, grinning.

“Can I pet him?” I wondered gazing at the puppy’s cute eyes.

“I guess you can try.” The saleswoman shrugged.

I slowly reached my hand out to pet Wolfie but snatched my hand back once he started growling. “I’m not gonna hurt you. You’re okay.” I tried, hoping at least the soothing tone of my voice would allow some sort of touch.

Wolfie tilted his head as if to question what I had just said. “I’m not going to hurt you.” I repeated, firmly.

Wolfie relaxed a little and whined, glancing at the saleswoman. “That dog is strange. I’ll leave you two be.” The saleswoman smiled and left, seemingly oblivious to Wolfie’s turmoil.

The second that woman left, Wolfie completely calmed and nuzzled up against me. “Awwww, you’re a good boy aren’t ya?” I cooed.

I had to admit, this was pretty adorable. I reached out to try and pet Wolfie again and the dog allowed it. So I pulled out my phone while softly petting the puppy. I had feeling he was a keeper.

Link: Wolfie is drawn to me, and he’s adorable and quite intelligent. He was aggressive at first but as soon as the saleswomen left he was practically a new puppy.

Malon: Hm. I think you should get Wolfie then. By the way, I’ve set up the stuff for whatever dog you wind up choosing.

Link: My mind is made up, I am getting Wolfie. See you soon.

I carefully sat up and began to leave the room but Wolfie started whining and jumping up on me, begging me not to leave. “It’s okay, I’ll be back.” I reassured.

Wolfie must have some abandonment issues, I’d have to remember that for later. The puppy seemed to understand my words of reassurance and he sat down. “Greetings again, I would like to get Wolfie.” I approached the saleswoman once more.

“Wonderful. You’re fee is 135 rupees.” The saleswoman nodded.

I paid and then tried coax Wolfie into a carrier but my efforts were in vain. I scooped Wolfie up in my arms and I was prepared to be scratched or nibbled, but Wolfie just slumped in disappoint. Then eventually we drove back to the house where Malon awaited. “C’mon boy, come meet Malon.” I gestured for him to follow.

He did and I opened the door to see my wife there, gazing curiously at Wolfie. “Oh, my, Link! The puppy looks like a literal wolf!”

“I’m aware. Meet Wolfie, now is there anything this one can get into?” I searched the ground for any chewable things.

“I don’t think so. Why don’t you get him onto the couch?” Malon recommended.

“Are you sure?” I raised my eyebrow.

“Yes I’m sure. There’s a gate to the upstairs and the doors won’t budge.” Malon assured me.

So I scooped up Wolfie once more and set him on the couch, but the next thing that happened was shocking. Wolfie disappeared into thick black triangles, and when the black stuff was gone, a boy with the exact same markings appeared. “What in Hyrule City?!” Malon gasped.

“S-Sorry! Please don’t kick me out, I didn’t-I just wanted o-out of the shelter!” The boy panicked.

(There's more! Read the rest on AO3 ---> A couple and their family)

[dogtiber]

ok finally sitting down to write up the post I owe! it’s gonna be a long one because we’ve done so much the past couple of days and i kept putting this off oops.

09/07

we finally had his behavioral consult appointment, and it went well! I like our trainer a lot; she’s the same girl running our puppy class, and Tiber really likes her too. she worked with him a bit on crate training and with us on demonstrating how to structure it and what body language to keep an eye out for from him, so now we can work on that more systematically. she also walked us through what she called “door is a bore,” to help us work on his separation anxiety better, and just slowly get him used to seeing us get up, walk away, and eventually walk out of sight/leave. it’s a lot of standing up and sitting down repeatedly and then working in walking across the room and then adding in touching the door knob, then moving the door, and eventually going through it.

we’ve been working on it here and there, and Partner has been doing sessions with him as well. he’s doing a little better—the going it slow, but we do see progress. he’s been a lot better at night—settling down for sleep a little more easily, and not waking us up throughout the night. he’s voluntarily spending more time in his crate than before too. and still gets anxious with one of us leaving, but it does seem to be a little better, and he can go longer before getting super upset about one of us being out of the room. he has been a lot more sassy and vocal with us lately tho lol. his bark is very cute, but now that he’s talking at us to communicate extra things, we’re having to recalibrate our understanding and communication with each other. it’s going decently well though.

friday, 09/08,

we took him to the pet store after Partner got back from work, and also to the dogs welcome craft store next door to the pet store. he had a blast picking out some new toys, and meeting new people. he did start to get frustrated in the craft store though, and started barking quite a bit, so Partner took him outside after a bit while I finished shopping.

09/09,

went to the street market! lots of exploring for him, and lots of pigeons to menace. (poor birds!) Partner worked a little on training with him while we traded off eating lunch—he would train and sit with Tiber while I had mine, then we switched. he did pretty well, considering all the everything going on in the world around him. we all had a really nice time together.

we also had a doggy playdate! a different set of Partner’s coworkers got a golden labradoodle puppy a few months before we got Tiber. she’s about 3 months older than him, so it was good socialization time for both of them. she’s HUGE and Tiber was a bit distracted at first by being in a new space, so he started out a little aloof (which poor Lily could not understand. she so desperately wanted to be immediate friends lol) but after exploring their house and yard a bit, and taking a potty break, warmed right up. it was very funny watching them adjust to each other, because of their difference in size and play style. Tars, the other big dog Tiber’s had play dates with, slots into his play style really well, because she loves to chase and Tiber loves to be chased. Lily, on the other hand, also wanted to be chased lol, and she’s also more interested in playing with toys together than he was. he did start picking it up a bit though after a bit, and had some tug fun with her. Lily was so sweet, she would stop and wait patiently for him to get his mouth firmly on the toy before tugging. they had so much fun together. the couple that owns her also has a cat, so Tiber got to have gentle introductions with him too. it went pretty well, and we didn’t see any prey drive kick in or any desire to chase him.

i’ll post more pics and vids from their playdate as well!

09/10,

we went to a local craft fair event! forgot to get any pictures, but Tiber had a great time. everyone we talked to loved him too. he got to take in lots of sights and sounds and smells, shared some of my watermelon, and found SO many sticks to dig up or carry around or chew for a bit (it was a wood craft fair, so sticks and wood pieces were EVERYWHERE). met other dogs, and a few other whippets too. we also chatted to the people running the wildlife conservation booths, and they gave us some info on local nature parks we can take Tiber to. I also had a ton of fun seeing all the craft stuff, and brought home a few jewelry pieces.

09/11,

and then we had one of my moving shipments arrive. Tiber did not like them very much, got barky and growls when he met them outside the door. I think it’s the big equipment and boxes he doesn’t like. Partner took him back out again instead of trying to deal with the dog and movers. when he was back home again though, he seemed to have lots of interest in just watching me unpack. stared at me for hours lol. I guess this one was mostly a big day for me more than it was for him, but overall it was a huge weekend (and Thursday and Friday) for all of us.

and, last one, 09/12,

second puppy class day! Tiber was a lot more distracted this time around, and poor Partner was getting pretty frustrated too (he had a long day at work beforehand). we reviewed previous skills, and then worked on Settle and a little bit of loose lead walking. he did also throw up in the middle of class :(( not sure what’s up with him—current suspicion is that he overate or had too many treats that day, since we both did a couple of training sessions with him throughout the day to distract him when he was looking for things to get into. he had apparently also done it earlier that day while walking with Partner as well, so we were a bit worried. he’s eating though, and hasn’t shown any other symptoms or signs of being uncomfortable or unwell, so hopefully it’s fine. he does go in for his kennel cough vax tomorrow tho, so I’ll try to remember to bring this up to the vet as well.

[jpknineacademy]

Common Puppy Problems: Solutions for Everyday Behavior Issues

Bringing back home a new puppy is joyful but it also presents its own set of obstacles. Doggies, like toddlers, are learning about the world and regularly show behaviour that makes you scratch your head. Don't be concerned; these continuous little dog issues are important for the creating system and can be overcome with persistence, and the appropriate attitude. Let's take a look at probably the most widely recognized pup hardships and commonsense solutions for help your doggy's initial days with going all the more easily.

Chewing on Everything

Why It Happens: Doggies bite to explore their surroundings and getting teeth discomfort. It's also a method for them to pass the time or expend energy.

Solution:

Give suitable chew toys: Provide your little dog with a choice of safe chew toys, for example, rubber bones or treat-filled toys.

Puppy-proof your home: Remove whatever that your little dog might bite on, like shoes, wires, and furniture legs.

Redirect their attention: If your pup starts chewing on something inappropriate, delicately scold them and give them a toy instead.

Potty Training Struggles

Why It Happens: Because doggies have small bladders, they can't hold them for long periods of time. Accidents happen regularly as children find where it is suitable to go.

Solution:

Maintain a routine: Take your dog out in the morning, after meals, and before sleep time to develop a schedule.

Praise for Success: Make each effective break with acclaim or a humble treat to energise repeat behaviour.

Limit free-roaming: To avoid accidents, limit your doggy's free-roaming until they are fully trained.

Be patient: Remember that mishaps will happen! Keep up with consistency and stay away from discipline, as this can cause confusion and dread.

Check out our related blog on "The Role of a Dog Behaviorist: When and Why You Might Need One"

Excessive Barking

Why It Happens: Barking is a common method for pups to communicate. They may bark out of excitement, boredom, anxiety, or a craving for consideration.

Solution:

Identify the reason: Is your pup barking in view of noises, people, or loneliness? Understanding the reason can help you with managing it more effectively.

Teach the "quiet" order: Train your little dog to handle the expression "quiet" by rewarding them with treats when they stop barking on demand.

Avoid rewarding poor behavior: If your pup barks for attention, don't answer with attention, whether positive or negative. Instead, reward a quiet and calm way of behaving.

Tire them out: A good play meeting or walk could help them with consuming off excess energy and bark less.

Jumping on People

Why It Happens: Pups jump in hello or energy. While it might show up sweet from the outset, it could become risky as they mature.

Solution:

Ignore the jumping: When your pup hops up, turn to the side or step back to demonstrate that this activity won't earn your attention.

Reward sitting or quiet way of behaving: Give your dog attention just when every one of the four paws are on the ground or they sit politely.

Teach an alternative greeting: Encourage your little dog to sit while inviting others. Practise this with your friends and family so they can figure out how to serenely meet.

Biting or Nipping

Why It Happens: Biting or nipping is a doggy's way of participating in play, exploring, or teething. Be that as it may, it is basic to show kids what is proper.

Solution:

Use "ouch!": When your pup bites, let out a high-pitched "ouch" to imitate how different pups would respond, showing that it hurts.

Give chewing alternatives: Give them bite toys to relieve their need to bite or nip.

Stop playing if biting continues: If your little dog keeps on bite, interrupt with the commitment and teach them that biting stops the fun.

Separation Anxiety

Why It Happens: When pups are left alone, they might become uneasy, particularly if they are new to being away from their owners.

Solution:

Gradual desensitisation: Start by leaving your doggy for brief periods of time, slowly increase the time duration. This helps them with adjusting to being on their own.

Create a positive environment: Ensure your little dog has a comfortable, safe place to go when you are gone, for example, a container or a committed pup zone with toys.

Keep away from over-fervor: Don't make jokes about over leaving or returning. To reduce nervousness, welcome people calmly and neutrally.

Use interactive toys: While you're away, give your little dog toys that will keep the person in question engaged, like riddle feeders or treat distributors.

Leash Pulling

Why It Happens: Young doggies are naturally curious and eager to explore their environmental factors, which much of the time leads to yanking on the chain during walks.

Solution:

Indoor leash training: Before taking your little dog out in the city, get him used to walking gently on a leash at home or on the terrace.

Stop and wait: If your dog pulls, stop walking. Hold on until they return to your side, then, at that point, walk. This instructs them that pulling will not get them anywhere.

Use rewards: Praise or treat your little dog when they walk calmly close by to build up proper leash behaviour.

Raising a little dog requires a ton of exertion, however it is also very satisfying. Understanding your little dog's way of behaving and giving consistent, cherishing courses from dog behaviorist sacramento helps your furry friend with developing into a respectful, sure grown-up dog. Remember that patience is important, and every little triumph is a stage toward an agreeable existence with your new closest furry friend!

[thebestnaturalpetfoodstore]

Dog Training for Kids: Fun and Easy Ways to Care for Your Furry Friend

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Dog Training for Kids: Fun and Easy Ways to Care for Your Furry Friend

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Children Will Take the Lead with Fun & Easy Dog Training Techniques

Every child wants a dog, yet not every child–or even grown-up!–is equipped to take on the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. But with the help of Vanessa Estrada Marin, the director of a sought-after dog-training program for kids, your child will have fun being in charge!

Dog Training for Kids breaks down lessons and tutorials in simple steps and easy-to-follow instructions. Kids will have everything they need to be caring and responsible dog owners: •  Basic Training Lessons including Stopping Unnecessary Barking, Potty & House Training, Obedience, Leash Training, Crate Training

•  Essential Commands including Sit, Stay, Heel, Drop It

•  Clever Tricks including Roll Over, Speak, High Five, and Leap

•  Super Fun Games including Obstacle Course, Frisbee, Tunnel

•  And More — Equipment List, How to Train Your Dog to Be Calm at the Vet, How to Dog Proof Your Home

Whether young dog lovers will be raising puppies, adopting rescues, or getting their first dogs, this all-in-one book will give them the confidence and knowledge to properly train, take care of, and establish a lasting bond with their well-behaved furry friends.

  From the Publisher

You can Train Your Pup In All Aspects of Dog Training

How to Prepare & What to Expect

Things you’ll need Tips on finding a dog that is right for you Dog behaviors and what they mean Dog proofing your home

Training Lessons For a Perfect Dog

Potty training your dog Not pulling on a leash Getting along with other household pets and dogs Staying calm at the vet and groomer

Basic Commands

Down Speak Wait and Stay Much, much more!

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[changingplumbob]

Nishidake Household: Chapter 3, Part 5

Kaori and Charlie are committing to life in Mt Komorebi.

Bonus part because everyone likes a puppy.

Kaori: So Allie and I were talking

Allie: *whines*

Charlie: I'll bite, what did she say

Kaori: She loves you, she doesn't want you without a dog even for a minute

Charlie: Sounds like her

Kaori: She thinks we should get a puppy

Charlie: Is that right?

Allie: *barks encouragement*

Charlie: I hear you

Charlie: And when would we get this puppy?

Kaori: You have tomorrow off, we could stop by the shelter

Charlie: I suppose having a puppy could help with moving on from this grief

Kaori: That's what I thought

Charlie: We're getting a puppy then? Gah! I'm so excited!

Kaori: I am a top tier wife

Now entering stage left we have... Clover Nishidake. The smallest in a litter of 5, Clover is a mixed breed who was looking for a forever home. Charlie and Kaori are excited to have a new life to look after and Allie hopes to give her plenty of "how to be a good dog" tips before her time is done.

Charlie gives Clover a quick bath to wash off the shelter smell before she meets Allie. Despite being small she still has to have a typical "Shake it off" moment. Clover is playful, adventurous and a sleuth to boot. Allie approves and gives her a lick.

Kaori: How long will it take to potty train her

Charlie: Not sure. Allie learned pretty quickly. It's just a matter of looking to see if she's needing to go and letting her out at the right moment

Kaori: I hope the snow doesn't put her off

Charlie: You mean you don't want her peeing on the furniture

No big blurb, just Clover being cute. Check out that core strength to scale the platforms!

Charlie: Did Sachiko say if vacations will kill us?

Kaori: Me not us. And I don't think so, so long as I intend to come back

Charlie: Us not you. You're stuck with me

Kaori: Is that so *tickles*

Charlie: Mercy, mercy

Kaori: Never!

But she does stop

Charlie: I'm so glad I have you

Kaori: Me to Char, me to

And that's a wrap! Charlie and Kaori are committed to each other and the mountain. Allie is doing her best to prepare Clover to be top dog as her own days are beginning to draw to a close.

Previous Part ... Next Part (Villareal)

[newsforexworld]

How to train a labradoodle?

Labradoodles, the delightful crossbreed of Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, are known for their intelligence, playful nature, and affectionate temperament. Training a Labradoodle is an essential aspect of responsible dog ownership, as it ensures their safety, well-being, and integration into the family. With their high intelligence and eagerness to please, Labradoodles respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore effective techniques and tips to successfully train a Labradoodle, fostering a well-behaved and happy canine companion.

Start Early: Begin Training from Puppyhood

Early training is crucial for Labradoodles, as it establishes the foundation for desirable behaviors and socialization. As soon as you bring your Labradoodle puppy home, start introducing basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Puppies have a natural ability to learn and adapt, making it easier to instill good habits early on.

Positive Reinforcement: Use Rewards and Praise

Labradoodles are highly motivated by positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, or playtime. Whenever your dog successfully follows a command or exhibits good behavior, reward them immediately with praise and a treat. Positive reinforcement strengthens the bond between you and your Labradoodle, making training a positive and enjoyable experience for both of you.

Consistency is Key

Consistency is a vital aspect of training a Labradoodle. Use the same cues and commands consistently, and ensure that all family members follow the same training rules. A consistent approach helps your Labradoodle understand what is expected of them and reduces confusion.

Socialization: Expose Your Labradoodle to Various Situations

Socialization is vital to ensure your Labradoodle grows into a well-adjusted and confident adult dog. Expose them to various people, animals, environments, and experiences. Enroll them in puppy classes or arrange playdates with other friendly dogs. Proper socialization will help prevent behavioral issues and fearfulness in adulthood.

Leash Training: Teach Loose Leash Walking

Teaching your Labradoodle to walk on a loose leash is essential for enjoyable walks and outdoor activities. Use positive reinforcement to reward them for walking calmly beside you. If your dog pulls on the leash, stop walking until they relax the tension. Resume walking only when the leash is loose.

Crate Training: Create a Safe Haven

Crate training provides your Labradoodle with a safe and secure space they can call their own. Introduce the crate gradually, making it a positive experience by placing treats, toys, and comfortable bedding inside. Never use the crate as a form of punishment.

House Training: Establish a Routine

Consistent house training is crucial for a well-behaved Labradoodle. Take your puppy outside to their designated potty area after meals, naps, and playtime. Praise and reward them when they eliminate outside, and avoid punishment for accidents indoors. With patience and repetition, your Labradoodle will learn where to go potty.

Avoid Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement, such as yelling or physical punishment, can lead to fear and anxiety in your Labradoodle. Instead, focus on positive methods to reinforce good behavior and redirect unwanted behaviors using positive commands.

Address Undesirable Behaviors Early

Address undesirable behaviors, such as chewing on furniture or excessive barking, as soon as they arise. Redirect your Labradoodle’s attention to appropriate toys and activities, and praise them when they engage in desirable behavior.

Advanced Training: Teach Advanced Commands

Once your Labradoodle has mastered basic commands, consider teaching them more advanced tricks and commands, such as “fetch,” “stay,” “leave it,” or “drop it.” Advanced training provides mental stimulation and challenges, further strengthening your bond.

Be Patient and Persistent

Training a Labradoodle takes time, patience, and persistence. Each dog learns at their own pace, so be prepared for ups and downs during the training process. Stay positive and patient, and avoid getting frustrated if progress is slow.

Seek Professional Training if Needed

If you encounter challenges or feel overwhelmed with training your Labradoodle, seek the help of a professional dog trainer. A qualified trainer can provide personalized guidance and create a training plan tailored to your dog’s individual needs.

Conclusion

Training a Labradoodle is a rewarding and fulfilling journey that strengthens the bond between you and your canine companion. Start training early, use positive reinforcement, and be consistent in your approach. Socialization, leash training, house training, and crate training are essential components of a well-rounded training regimen. Avoid negative reinforcement and focus on addressing undesirable behaviors early on. With patience, persistence, and love, your Labradoodle will grow into a well-behaved, well-adjusted, and happy member of your family.

[dog-trainer-course-near-m2i]

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Train Your Puppy

Once you’ve hunted with your own dog, you’re spoiled forever. Our sport becomes much more rewarding when you do it with a partner and buddy you trained yourself. While starting from scratch with a puppy and learning how to train a hunting dog can seem like a daunting task for a first-timer, the truth is, the dog is born knowing how to hunt. Your first job as a trainer is to not screw it up. You second job is teaching the dog to hunt for you. If you’re like most dog owners, another important part of training is turning your pup into a well-mannered member of the family whose company you can enjoy in the off-season as well.

This is not a path to embark on lightly. Dogs are both adorable and annoying during the puppy period, not to mention destructive at times. Owning a dog requires a decade or more of dedication. During those years, you'll spend more time in the field with your dog and less time sitting in a tree stand. And no matter how long the voyage lasts, it will end in tears. The only way to feel better is to start the cycle over with a new puppy. That's what you're in for, but trust me when I say it'll be worth it. But right now, you're receiving your first gun dog. Congratulations! Below is everything you need to understand how to train a hunting dog. So, let's get this party started.

Ten Things You Should Know Before Getting a Puppy:

Potty Training, House and Crate Training, Obedience, and Socialization

Kindergarten for puppies

How to Train a Working Dog

"Fetch" Instructions

How to Instruct "Whoa"

"Place" Instructions

Water Fundamentals

The Basics of Living Birds

Using an E-Collar Introduction to the Gun

Your First Hunts as a Couple

Related: The 21 Best Hunting Dog Breeds of All Time

As your pup gets older, training will get more intense.

The old joke goes: "What do you need to know to train a dog?" Answer: More than the dog. That’s not exactly true, though. The dog knows how to hunt better than you do. That’s why you bought it. What you need to know is how to teach that dog to hunt for you. The first lessons can start as soon as the puppy comes home. Keep them brief and fun. As the pup gets older, you do more, and training never stops. Here are 10 important points to help guide you along the way, no matter what kind of dog you’re training.

1. Maintain consistency

Dogs want to please you, and in order to do so, they must first grasp what you expect of them. Make your directives clear and consistent.

2. Recognize and reward good behavior.

Praise is an extremely effective motivator. Your dog craves your attention; thus, offer it to them only when they earn it.

3. Practice with Treats

Food is a more potent motivation than praise. Even a modest amount of food will encourage your dog.

4. Say What You Mean

Never issue directives that you will not or cannot enforce. This is related to No. 1 since being consistent includes always being able to back up what you say. Consider your options before speaking.

5. Keep It Short

Make training sessions short and frequent. To catch your dog's attention, begin each training session with a behavior she already understands. Try to conclude on a positive note and go while you're still having fun. Training might be as little as a few minutes or as long as a half hour or more.

6. Never give up  

Boundaries are always tested by dogs. You must always enforce them and maintain control. For example, never allow your dog to go through a door before you. Allow it to wait for you to go first. Don't let it walk on its own leash. It's sweet, but the dog is attempting to exert authority. You have to be the pack's leader. Make the most of every chance to reinforce preferred behaviors or teach new ones.

7. Avoid Unfavorable Attention

Don't pay attention to undesirable behavior. Ignoring things like barking or racing to the front door when the doorbell rings can sometimes be more helpful than screaming. Similarly, if a dog is afraid of something, picking it up and comforting it promotes the fearful behavior. It is preferable to act as if nothing is wrong in order to distract the dog.

Train Your Puppy see more details below

[fredtipton]

When you leave them in the morning, they stick their nose in the door crack and make you think they stand like that until you return .

[milksnake-tea]

(8 seems like a lot for a character limit-) Anyway, hi Milk-senpai! Is it okay if I ask for some cute headcanons where Trey, Vil, Silver, Cater, and Riddle take care of their fem! s/o after she turns into an adorable puppy please (due to a lab incident or jinxed spell)? Thank you!

oh i’m very aware which is why im now cutting down on the length on my headcanons depending on the number of characters fhsdjn

also i cannot tell you how much serotonin it gives me for you to call me milk-senpai

anyways this is an adorable request, thanks!

...thinks it’s absolutely adorable. Naturally, he was concerned at first, but after he had to take you back to Heartslabyul and had time to mull things over, he couldn’t stop cooing over you. How could he? You were already so lovable in your original form, but now as a puppy? Trey is over the moon.

He’s great at taking care of you as well. Trey already has plenty of experience with animals due to all of the hedgehogs and flamingoes at his dorm, so he’s very well prepared. He’ll let you sleep on his bed, his desk, even his lap. It’s not an understatement to say that Trey is pretty excited over this predicament. He brings you everywhere with him, whether it’s in his arms or in his bag.

When you return to your original form, Trey acts a bit disappointed. You can’t really tell if he’s kidding or not - it’s hard to tell with him, and you’re his lover. He’s quick to reassure you that that’s not the case, and that he loves you in all forms that you might take. Plus, it’s not like he can kiss a puppy, right?

...only does it because he loves you. Normally, Vil would have never kept a dog - they’re messy, he has to take them on walks, and Vil isn’t even going to think about potty training. But, this is only lasting a day, and this puppy is you, his beloved, his dearest, his everything... So he’ll bear with it. For you.

Honestly, Vil doesn’t know much about caring for dogs, since he never had the time to own a pet. Fortunately for the both of you, though, Vil has the power of the Internet and five million loyal followers on his side. With their guidance, Vil is well-equipped enough to take care of you. Even more, he’s developed a bit of a protective streak towards you (as if he wasn’t already protective) since a certain hunter may also be interested in your new form.

Once you turn back, Vil is more than relieved. He doesn’t mind taking care of you, far from it actually, but when you’re a dog, it’s just... different. Look, he didn't sign up to be dating a dog, as blunt and harsh as it may be. He loves you for who you are, and he'd rather kiss a human rather than a... dog. Besides, lipstick is poisonous to them, isn't it?

...spoils the ever-loving daylights out of you. Silver’s always had a love for animals, having been an animal magnet ever since he could remember. He knows exactly how to care for you, carries you everywhere he can, and deliberately ignores Grim because screw the fire cat he’s got better people (you) to worry about.

Now that he has an excuse to drag you out of the dorm that violates every health regulation across the planet, you’ve already got yourself a place in his room. Silver even anticipates for when you turn back, making all of your supposed “dog beds” human sized bean bags. Lilia commented on it once, and you’ve never seen Silver so red. Your boyfriend hasn’t noticed yet, but you think his adoptive father may have stolen one of your bean bags for himself.

Silver is... surprisingly indifferent when you turn back. I mean, sure, he can actually kiss you and talk to you and you’d be able to respond in English, but like- it’s always been you. Wasn’t like your personality suddenly took a nosedive with the change or anything. You were just a lot of tinier and Silver’s roommates had to deal with him barking the lesson plans to you after every class no he swears he’s not a furry.

...has no idea what he’s doing. Sorry Cater lovers, but this man probably ditches on all of his hedgehog duty and/or dumps it on the poor soul who happened to run into him. The most he knows about how to care for any animal is how to tell them that he doesn’t have food. Not the best option for your caretaker folks, but whatever we’ll deal with it.

The first few days are a disaster, to put it mildly. Cater forgets to walk you because he assumed that you can just do it yourself (you can’t open doors), tried to feed you human food (your stomach’s different now and you can’t handle it), etc. Eventually Grandma Trey over here gets sick and tired of this panic and takes things into his own hands. Drags both you and Cater into the lounge to give you two a crash course on how to properly care for a dog, slaps a packet with more instructions into Cater’s hands, gives you the proper food, and leaves without another word. Needless to say, carrot man is now an expert at how to care for you.

He is beyond grateful when you turn back because good lord, he loves you but he cannot stand Trey’s watchful eyes burning down his back. He still gets shivers just thinking about it. You can expect a sobbing relief and hug when you revert back to human.

 ...doesn’t know what to think about this. On one hand, he’s absolutely furious - not at you, but at the buffoons that dared get you into this predicament. On the other, he’s worried out of his mind for you and is lowkey panicking because Great Seven why is it always alchemy class-

Riddle takes care of the hedgehogs personally most days, and he’s not the top student of his class for nothing. Let’s face it, alchemy class is the most disastrous class and the easiest excuse so he’s not too surprised. If anything, he’s dealt with this before so he’s perfectly prepared to care for you. Unfortunately though, he’s also ridiculously nervous because it’s you he’s dealing with. He has to do everything perfectly, even if the only judge is himself (you don’t really care, as long as he doesn’t majorly screw up).

As soon as you turn back, the first thing that comes out of your mouth is rest. Riddle probably hasn’t slept due to his work as a dorm leader, his classwork, and taking care of you. From what you’ve seen, he barely remembered to take his regular meals and spent most of his time fussing over you. So please, for everyone at Heartslabyul, make sure he gets his well-deserved rest.

[uniquevoidflowers]

A Couple And Their Family

Time’s POV

I have had a rough life, all sorts of traumatic events making my every decision difficult to make. I am so grateful I am no longer alone though. When I met Malon it was like she had given my grey, miserable world colour. Malon had been able to gently break through my tough barriers and stoic facade. She was and still is mending the wounds in my heart.

Now, we have been married for 8 years and I can recall what joyous day the wedding had been. From even before the wedding to the present, Malon and I have a had a lovely relationship, content with our current living situation. Of course there had been discussion of wanting children to expand their family, Malon especially loving that idea. But I wasn’t so sure I wanted that, after all, I’ve heard of the things that could potentially happen.

Some are positive and some are negative. Instead of disappointing my wife too much, I suggested getting a pet to get a feel for parenting. Malon agreed and shooed me away, since she was allergic to cats and therefore couldn’t enter the pet shop. I found myself driving to the nearest pet shelter, listening to country music and humming along. I then arrived at the pet shelter and swung open the door.

“Welcome to Hyrule’s Pet Shelter! How may I help you today?” A saleswoman greeted me, with a signature smile.

“I’m looking for a dog, perhaps one that really needs a home.” I answered, not bothering to return the smile.

“Of course! Any sort of behavioural things you wouldn’t want in a dog?” The saleswoman asked, maintaining her smile.

I thought for a moment before replying with, “I would prefer a dog that is potty trained. But other than that, I really don’t mind.”

I was confident Malon would say something similar. “Alright. I’ll take you to come meet our most recent puppy Wolfie. He was found wondering the streets and didn’t belong to anyone, or at least nobody rose to claim him. He isn’t particularly social and fought viciously against us but for some unknown reasons he is gentle with children. We haven’t been able to figure out what breed the puppy is, he actually more resembles a wolf pup but his behaviour is entirely different. Which is why everyone has taken to calling him Wolfie. He was surprisingly potty trained when we took him in, so we have a guess that he was abandoned. Poor thing.” The saleswoman explained, walking.

I followed her. My heart ached a little at the thought of abandoning a pet. My thoughts led to this Wolfie. If he was gentle with the young ones, perhaps there was a chance I could train him to be kind towards older people as well. I texted Malon, not entirely sure what to do.

Link: The woman here offered me a puppy named Wolfie, said he was found on the streets. He’s potty trained, aggressive but gentle to children. She doesn’t know the breed though.

Malon: Well, try meeting Wolfie first darling. According to what I’ve read, you must meet the dog first in order to know you’ve got the one you want.

Link: If you say so.

“We’re here. Hi, Wolfie.” The saleswoman waved.

I was greeted by a snarling puppy that looked exactly like a wolf. The puppy had dark, black fur with odd white markings imprinted on his snout. I noticed a shackle on his leg, that had the markings of the ancient Twili. Strange. Wolfie stopped snarling when he sniffed me, and relaxed. “Hello Wolfie.” I approached the puppy warily.

Wolfie barked happily and his tail wagged back and forth. “Looks like he’s drawn to you.” The saleswoman commented, grinning.

“Can I pet him?” I wondered gazing at the puppy’s cute eyes.

“I guess you can try.” The saleswoman shrugged.

I slowly reached my hand out to pet Wolfie but snatched my hand back once he started growling. “I’m not gonna hurt you. You’re okay.” I tried, hoping at least the soothing tone of my voice would allow some sort of touch.

Wolfie tilted his head as if to question what I had just said. “I’m not going to hurt you.” I repeated, firmly.

Wolfie relaxed a little and whined, glancing at the saleswoman. “That dog is strange. I’ll leave you two be.” The saleswoman smiled and left, seemingly oblivious to Wolfie’s turmoil.

The second that woman left, Wolfie completely calmed and nuzzled up against me. “Awwww, you’re a good boy aren’t ya?” I cooed.

I had to admit, this was pretty adorable. I reached out to try and pet Wolfie again and the dog allowed it. So I pulled out my phone while softly petting the puppy. I had feeling he was a keeper.

Link: Wolfie is drawn to me, and he’s adorable and quite intelligent. He was aggressive at first but as soon as the saleswomen left he was practically a new puppy.

Malon: Hm. I think you should get Wolfie then. By the way, I’ve set up the stuff for whatever dog you wind up choosing.

Link: My mind is made up, I am getting Wolfie. See you soon.

I carefully sat up and began to leave the room but Wolfie started whining and jumping up on me, begging me not to leave. “It’s okay, I’ll be back.” I reassured.

Wolfie must have some abandonment issues, I’d have to remember that for later. The puppy seemed to understand my words of reassurance and he sat down. “Greetings again, I would like to get Wolfie.” I approached the saleswoman once more.

“Wonderful. You’re fee is 135 rupees.” The saleswoman nodded.

I paid and then tried coax Wolfie into a carrier but my efforts were in vain. I scooped Wolfie up in my arms and I was prepared to be scratched or nibbled, but Wolfie just slumped in disappoint. Then eventually we drove back to the house where Malon awaited. “C’mon boy, come meet Malon.” I gestured for him to follow.

He did and I opened the door to see my wife there, gazing curiously at Wolfie. “Oh, my, Link! The puppy looks like a literal wolf!”

“I’m aware. Meet Wolfie, now is there anything this one can get into?” I searched the ground for any chewable things.

“I don’t think so. Why don’t you get him onto the couch?” Malon recommended.

“Are you sure?” I raised my eyebrow.

“Yes I’m sure. There’s a gate to the upstairs and the doors won’t budge.” Malon assured me.

So I scooped up Wolfie once more and set him on the couch, but the next thing that happened was shocking. Wolfie disappeared into thick black triangles, and when the black stuff was gone, a boy with the exact same markings appeared. “What in Hyrule City?!” Malon gasped.

“S-Sorry! Please don’t kick me out, I didn’t-I just wanted o-out of the shelter!” The boy panicked.

(There’s more! Read the rest on AO3 —> A couple and their family)

[elfdragon12]

I once saw someone say "I would suggest a first time dog owner to get a puppy rather than adopting a dog. You never know their history". I get where they're coming...

But... Then I look at my own experience.

My family had dogs when I was growing up, but stopped when I was in high school (a mix of bad matches and bad luck). Most of my adulthood, I've kept guinea pigs. Tova is the first dog I've had as an adult on my own. She's a Shar Pei mix about 5 years old.

... I couldn't have asked for a better dog for my lifestyle and personality.

She's not a lap dog, which is great because I sit at a computer a lot (and she has prickly Shar Pei fur). She'd much rather sit by me as I reach over to scratch her chest.

She rarely barks, which is great because I come home from work in the middle of the night and I live in an apartment complex.

Whoever raised her did well when it came to socializing her. She's very dog friendly (whines when she doesn't get to greet other dogs) and she's well-behaved around humans, even with kids. The only problem I've had with her and other humans was late at night around some men and, even then, it was warning growls... She just tries to chase cats.

Her exercise needs are "moderate", so an hour long walk helps her out and she's good with a couple shorter walks for potty breaks. I'm not a particularly active person, but have occasional bursts of "I wanna do a hike", so that's great for me. While she's good with the regular walks, she's very happy with climbing up rocks or walking through streams when I'm in the mood for that.

She's not hard on toys, only having a mild interest in them at all. While I wish she liked fetch when we go to the dog park and no one's there, but it's nice when she's in a mood for fetch at home, she does a few chases down our short apartment hallway, and is done, staring at me as I throw the toy one more time.

She's also very cute:

For first time dog owners, I think better advice is "examine your lifestyle and personality, study dog breeds that you like and are more likely to fit into your life, and spend time with any puppy or dog you're wanting to take home before you actually do".

I nor my sister (who is my roommate) have the energy for an active puppy. Also don't have the time to dedicate to training a puppy, which we are both very aware of how much they need it. Puppies are not a good fit for us.

Where the dog comes from is not the issue. It's how good of a match you are.

[official-wayward-keener]

Parkner Bingo - Atom Parker

Atom Parker-Keener

Peter finds a puppy on patrol.

Ao3 Link here

Peter had a bad habit of petting any pets that he saw on patrol. So when one of those pets started whimpering he decided to find the owner as Peter Parker. He changed and ran to the closest vet. It ended up that the puppy was abandoned on the street as there was no tag. 

“I guess he will have to go to the shelter,” the vet said. Peter decided then that the little guy needed him. 

“I’ll keep him and put up fliers,” Peter said. The vet thanked him as he went home not ready to tell Harley. Harley and he finally got living together handled while dating and they now were adding a baby. Well a puppy but still Harley might not be okay with it but Peter would come up with something. He carried his new puppy to a pet store and got some stuff before heading home. He set him down on the floor as the puppy looked at him and seemed to explore. Peter got some puppy pads down before calling his landlord about the dog so he knew that he was housing him for a bit. His landlord told him if they were keeping the puppy they would need to fill out some forms and Peter told him he would let him know. 

“Now I guess you need a name for the time being,” Peter said as he looked at the periodic table and then smiled. How about Atom?” The puppy barked happily and Peter laughed as he grabbed a toy ball and three it down the hall only for the puppy to run back. They played catch until the puppy got bored and jumped on the couch. Peter sat down as well and grabbed his gaming controller and played video games until he heard the door open. He was in the middle of a boss battle or he would have paused. As he listened to Harley coming in and talking about his day in the lab, Atom perked up and listened. He looked at Peter and then at the door where Harley was walking in from. When Harley came in, he still hadn’t noticed Atom as he set down his bag. Atom moved onto Peter’s lap protectively. Peter sighed, pausing his game and setting the controller down. 

“Princess, can you come here for a second?” Peter said. Harley turned and saw the dog and seemed to pause as if he was trying to figure out the situation.

“Where did… when did…. Peter please tell me I’m imagining the dog,” Harley said. Peter shook his head no as he petted Atom. Atom seemed to calm down as Harley moved closer holding out his hand. The puppy smelled it and seemed okay as he jumped off Peter’s lap and pawed to be picked up by Harley. Harley picked up the puppy. 

“He is staying with us until we can find his owners. I plan to get posters up tomorrow. I just wanted to wait out the rain. I found him on patrol today and the vet couldn’t find his owner,” Peter said. “You don’t mind us taking in Atom for a few nights?”

“As long as it’s just a few nights,” Harley said. “I don’t think you would be able to handle keeping an actual dog.”

“I’m responsible!” Peter said. Harley laughed as he put Atom down who whined as he went to put up his stuff. Peter resumed his game as Atom went and followed Harley around as Harley prepared dinner for the family of three. Harley hadn’t had a dog since he was a kid. His mom had a collie back then that was always following him and Abby around. Atom was a german shepard puppy. He read up on the paper from a vet. He was only seven months old, meaning he was really little. 

“We will work on potty training you as well,” Harley told the puppy. The puppy just looked at him and watched him. Peter stopped his game and came up behind Harley and hugged up on him. 

“I missed you,” Peter said. Harley rolled his eyes.

“Now you want to butter me up about the dog.” Peter kissed his cheek.

“If we don’t find the owner then we will have to keep Atom.” Harley expected that was the catch. He should have known there was one.

“Atom Parker-Keener,” Harley said. “Not too bad of a name.” 

“Glad you agree,” Peter said. “Now I’m going to finish my reading for tomorrow’s class while you finish dinner.”

“I got an essay tonight after dinner so can you make me some coffee?” Harley asked. Peter nodded as the two went back to their normal routine as Atom went with Peter and laid with him as he read. Harley came to get Peter and took a picture to send to May and Tony. Tony and May both wondered about the dog but Harley told him that he would explain after dinner or Peter would since Harley had his essay.

“Dinner is ready,” Harley said. Peter looked up as Atom got up and followed them into the kitchen. They talked as Atom begged for food but neither gave in. Peter was struggling though but he made it through it. They smiled when dinner was over and Atom didn’t get any table scraps. They got dishes done which was Peter’s job. Peter called his aunt and then Tony to inform them of their new addition as Harley worked on his essay. Peter eventually got him to work on the bed so Peter could sleep and feel that Harley was there. Atom joined them on the bed and laid cuddled next to Peter. Harley finished his essay to see sleeping angels. He convinced Atom to go out and took him for a walk but then he let him back in to go back to bed with Peter. He changed before cuddling next to his boyfriend. Atom between their legs. The puppy that would eventually be their dog cause he was an abandoned dog that no one would claim. Harley didn’t know that but at that moment he wished it would happen because Atom was their dog the moment Peter found him. 

[adiwriting]

Sunday Morning 10/?

If anyone has any prompts for this verse, let me know! I’ve got some things written for the next few weeks, but am always looking for new ideas on domestic fluff for our boys <3 

Gif by the lovely @manesalex​

Week 10

Alex loves his dog family, he really does. 

He loves how Bell lives under their bed but will sneak out once they are all in bed for food in the middle of the night. She thinks she’s slick, but really, she’s loud as hell every time she pushes the door open and it slams against the wall. It was terrifying the first day or two, but Alex and Michael have gotten used to it, thankfully. They are just happy she’s eating, even if she’s still nervous enough to never leave her spot under the bed apart from midnight food runs and bathroom breaks. 

He loves that Wendy is fiercely independent. He loves that she does her own thing most of the time but will force her brothers out of their comfort zones. She’s a troublemaker and is always getting into things she’s not supposed to, but she’s brave and curious and he loves that about her. 

He loves that John is so tiny and cuddly and glued to Michael’s side practically all the time. He’s clumsy and awkward, but it’s endlessly adorable. He loves how Michael has taken to carrying him around in his shirt like some kitten because he’s always shivering and cold. 

And then there’s Peter. Alex isn’t supposed to have favorites, but Peter is without a doubt Alex’s dog. He is always fighting for Alex’s attention and demanding cuddles. He’s started glaring at Michael whenever he tries to kiss Alex. He’s overprotective and grumpy, but an excellent snuggler. Honestly, he reminds everyone of Michael so much that Isobel has already ordered a black cowboy hat for Peter to wear. Michael of course hates it as much as Peter does, and the dual glares they both give whenever that hat comes out only provides further proof that Peter is Michael’s dog clone. 

Alex was meant to be a dog daddy and loves all four of his babies endlessly. What he doesn’t love is the fact that his children refuse to sleep through the night. Alex has enough issues of his own getting a solid night sleep without the help of his littlest children keeping him awake all night. He’s tired. Bone deep tired. All he wants is an hour of uninterrupted sleep, but that’s not in the cards for this morning. They are at it again. He can hear the wailing coming from the kitchen where they’ve been keeping the puppies contained while they still work on puppy-proofing the rest of the house. 

Recognizing that he’s not about to get any more sleep for awhile, Alex rolls himself out of bed and grabs his crutches. Slowly but surely he makes his way down the hall and towards the smell of coffee. When he reaches the kitchen, he smiles at the sight of Michael sitting in front of the stove, covered in barking puppies and looking as exhausted as he feels.

“What’s the use of having an alien boyfriend if he can’t use his powers to block out sound?” Alex asks.  

The sound of his voice gets the puppies attention and they all rush to the baby gate, climbing over each other in an attempt to get his attention. 

“Trust me, I’ve tried,” Michael says through a large yawn. 

Alex struggles with getting the gate open and keeping the puppies contained with his crutches before Michael uses his powers to gently hold the kids back and open the gate for Alex. He sends him a grateful smile before moving into the kitchen and shutting the gate behind him. His children jump at his feet and he moves carefully until he’s able to settle down in Michael’s arms and the children climb into his lap. 

“I take back everything I’ve ever said about adopting an infant. When we get a kid, we are making sure they are sleeping through the night and potty trained,” Michael says. 

Alex nods in agreement, taking Michael’s coffee out of his hands and drinking it. Michael glares at him but Alex chooses to ignore it, holding the mug close to his chest with zero intention of giving it back. Michael grumbles before using his powers to pour himself another cup. Alex runs his hand over each of the kids as he snuggles into Michael’s side for warmth. He hadn’t put any clothes on before coming out of the bedroom and the kitchen is significantly colder than the bedroom was. His boxers aren’t cutting it. 

“We didn’t have any accidents this morning,” Michael says. 

“That’s good news.” He laughs as Peter tries to push himself between Alex and Michael, using his head to try and force Michael away. As if his tiny body has the strength to move Michael. Alex picks him up and places him on his other side. “Hey, your daddies need snuggle time, too.” 

“I hope you know that he’s the loudest one,” Michael informs him, giving him a playful glare. Ever since they realized that John was Michael’s and Peter was Alex’s, they’ve been teasing each other about whose puppy is better. 

“Hey, he’s not the one who chewed up the wood piece you were working on,” Alex says with a pointed look. 

“Nope, he’s the little shit who almost swallowed a battery yesterday.” 

Alex groans. “We seriously need to puppy proof this place today.”

Michael practically whines. “But it’s Sunday. Can’t I do it tomorrow while you’re at work?”

Alex is about to agree when they hear a clattering sound and they look up to find that Wendy has somehow managed to get one of the cabinets open and has pulled out one of the pots already and is climbing into the cabinet to explore. 

“You were saying?” Alex says trying hard not to laugh. 

“I take back everything I said about Peter, she’s the worst one,” Michael says, crawling across the floor to pull her out of the cabinet before she can make her way to the toaster and start chewing on the cord. 

“See,” he says, turning to Peter to pet him. “Tell your daddy that you’re a good boy.” 

Petter looks up at him with what Alex swears is a smile and practically falls over himself as he wags his tail hard. 

Michael pulls Wendy out of the cabinet and points at her as he sternly says, “No.” 

Wendy doesn’t seem phased in the slightest. She tilts her head at Michael, watching him for a minute, before she turns around and heads to another cabinet, working to get it open as well. 

“I give up,” Michael says, crawling back over to Alex before laying his head in his lap. “I’ll go to the store and buy what we need today.” 

Alex places his mug on the stove behind him, the last thing he needs is a puppy hyped up on caffeine. Then he runs his hands through Michael’s curls and Michael moans happily. 

“Maybe you don’t have to leave for a while though,” Alex says. He watches as John climbs over his arm to settle himself practically on top of Michael’s face. To Michael’s credit, he doesn’t even move. Michael’s breathing is evening out, and while the kitchen floor isn’t an ideal place for a nap, Alex thinks that he’s got the right idea. The kids have stopped barking for the time being and he’s warm and comfortable here with Michael and three of his four children. He closes his eyes and tries to enjoy the moment of peace. 

Then a bird chirps outside and Peter starts barking. 

“Mother F-er!” Michael exclaims, sitting up, catching John as he tumbles off of him. And all Alex can do is laugh. 

He’s tired. So insanely tired. But he loves his family and he wouldn’t change a thing. 

(So we can all understand what poor tired Malex is dealing with) 

tagged: @callieramics​ @redstalkingdeath​ 

(wanna be tagged? hit me up) 

[spellucci]

RIP Amber

October 2005 - April 28, 2021

Amber the Traveler

Amber was an accomplished traveling companion. She has peed in all of the lower 48 states. She has swum in the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, all five of the Great Lakes, and many lakes and streams in between. Amber hiked the 200+ miles of the Bay Circuit Trail from Plum Island on the north shore of Boston to Plymouth on the south shore.

Along the way, she brought joy and happiness to all who were privileged to pet her. On a crowded overlook at Yosemite National Park, Amber collected a crowd from a tour bus. They ignored the gorgeous scenery and lined up to pet her. On the Bay Circuit Trail, high school students would gather around her to pet her. She was beautiful.

She taught Jeanne how to listen to dog language. Jeanne was a slow learner, but she eventually learned the basics of “ha ha, two-legged, you are huffing and puffing up this hill when you should have four legs and run up it like me.” This is said with a smirking, superior laugh. Other basic phrases are: “It’s time for water and snacks.” “It’s time to turn back now.” The most memorable was “I’ve had enough of this cold rain. Put me in this nice warm car NOW.” The car she was next to wasn’t our car. At home, she would sometimes even communicate with her bodily functions, the details of which will be omitted from this obituary.

After hiking the Bay Circuit Trail, she got 3 serious tick-borne diseases. The local vet told us to put her to sleep, she wouldn’t survive. We found another vet who helped Amber stay with us for five more years. Her new vet was delighted that she recovered so well.

Barky Beginnings

At age six, Mike wanted a dog. “But you won’t take care of it.” “Yes, I will, mommy!” Jeanne set him an impossible task: show you can take care of a dog by taking care of the cat for two months, including feeding her and cleaning the litter box once a week. He enthusiastically did everything he was asked, including cleaning the litter box daily. Mike won.

We went to Buddy Dog, the local animal shelter. We saw lots of dogs and Mike liked them all. Finally, we went into the Puppy Room. He crawled into the crate with a lively pile of three-month old rescue puppies and stared at one with rapture. They looked at each other in complete adoration, and so Amber joined our family.

And the lesson about taking care of the dog? Forgotten in the excitement of having a puppy in the house. The duties of feeding and walking Amber were taken up by the adults. Amber and Jeanne fell in love through this experience, Jeanne’s indifference to dogs melting in Amber’s brown eyes. The Bay Circuit Trail hike cemented their friendship.

We always took Amber camping. She learned to swim at an early age. Her first swim was on a long leash. She had a most startled expression on her face, as if to say, “I’m swimming! I can’t believe I’m swimming.” She was a water dog from then on.

Mount Desert Island National Park has a climb, not a hike, but a real climb up stairs and iron ladders, called the Beehive. She was eager to get up it with us. The boys would climb up, she would patiently wait her turn, and the Tim would hoist her up to the next ledge. She was the hit of the mountain.

Amber was a winter dog. She was potty trained in the snow.

We went sledding during the first winter we had her. Tim was concerned she would run away while we were at the sledding hill. Tim’s brother Chris was like, “Run away? You are her whole life! She is going to stay with you the whole time.” 

For the rest of her life, she relished fresh snowfall. She would run outside, dig her nose into a fresh snowbank, bring her snow covered snout to the surface, and give a big “look what I did” smile.

Life with Amber

Amber raised a horde of boys from six-ish to adulthood. She considered them her litter mates. Along the way, Amber helped to raise a litter of kittens, played with the cats, including carefully letting one cat wrestle with her.

No squirrels dared enter our yard and deer turned up their white tails and ran. When she heard deer in the yard, she would wait by the door, and charge out after them as soon as the door was open, and return grinning. “Mom, I chased them. Did you see, did you see? They all ran so fast!”

Amber learned to be very careful with geese, and then applied that lesson to turkeys, just in case.

She would always lay at the top of the stairs so that any kid who entered the house would stop and pet her. Up until the last party she hosted, she was always gracious letting her friend-group pet her coming and going.

She always knew who was allowed and who wasn’t. Women and children were welcome. Men? Not so much. Tim was Amber’s primary chef and waiter. Amber’s take on Tim? Alarmed barking every time Tim came home, as if to say, “That guy, he’s here!!!”

In her youth, she was placed in her crate during working hours to keep her from eating the couch again. Once she famously Houdini-ed out of her crate to chase a burglar out of the house with the little he was carrying. Amber very proudly met Jeanne’s car (what’s Amber doing outside, and how did she get out of her crate?) to let Jeanne know that Amber had protected the house. Jeanne was concerned about coming home to an open front door, and waited for the police before entering the house. But brave Amber never went back in the crate.

Amber was adept at taking food that was not intended for her. No garbage can was Amber proof. Many items placed out of her reach on the back of the stove, meatloaf, chicken, pizza, somehow managed to disappear. Amber wore a knowing smirk.

Goodbye Amber

Amber was always an intrepid explorer — ever ready to go somewhere new. As she got older, the walks grew shorter and the RV became her way of going to new places. 

Readers of this blog know how she loved to find new places to pee and to sniff. Her favorite spot in the RV was in the cab between the driver and the passenger, where she was in easy reach for petting as we drove her to new sites.

In the last few weeks, we saw her sleeping more and more, and sometimes we would see her legs twitch as she dreamed of chasing squirrels. Her mile, then half-mile walks had turned into 100-feet of pained limping. We decided it was time to let her go. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her peeps, assisted by a vet who makes house calls.

Best girl. Fluffilicious girl. We hope you are running through grass with no ticks, chasing deer that always run, and pizza to snatch off the back of the stove when you get home.

[idkwriteshitdown]

Puppy Dog Days

Words: 993

(ao3 link)

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“Uh, is this a weird sex thing?” Klaus asked. “I’m not judging, it’s just that this is weird even by your standards.”

Five looked up from his book. “Oh good you’re back.” 

Vanya peeked around Klaus to see what he was looking at. Five was sat on the couch reading a book. That in itself wasn’t strange. Now that he didn’t have to worry about trying to stop any impending apocalypse he was often found reading. ‘You’d be surprised at how few books survived the apocalypse’ he had said. What was strange was that their brother. Their stoic wannabe badass brother was curled up on the couch with his head resting on Five’s lap. His head on Five’s lap. Five I-don’t-want-to-be-touched lap.

“Vanya. Are you sure we didn’t get slipped anything at that coffee shop because it looks to me that Five is lovingly petting Diego.” He shoved his arm in front of her face. “Here pinch me.”

Five let out an annoyed sigh. “I would say that you aren’t on drugs but I can never be sure of that.”

“I take offense to that statement.” Klaus said. “I haven’t taken anything stronger than cough syrup.”

“Anyways,” He interrupted. “Diego here, our loveable idiot, touched something that he wasn’t supposed to touch in The Commission and now, for all intents and purposes, has the mind of a dog.” 

At the mention of his name Diego looked up. turned around on the couch so that he was laying on his back looking up at Five with a lazy expression on his face. Now that he moved she could see that he had a pretty unassuming black leather collar around his neck. She stepped closer to the duo crouching down to look at the tag. Dog it read. She knew that Diego had started visiting The Commission much to Five’s dismay. Apparently he liked the ‘celebrity treatment’ that he got there.

“Can it be fixed?” She asked.

“Yes.” he said. “It’s this dumb collar that’s making him this way.”

“Well why don’t you just take it off?” Klaus asked reaching for it. “Seems pretty simple -- OW” He yanked his hand to his chest. “You hit me.” He mock glared at Five. “That hurt.”

“Please, it was only a tap. Besides if it were that easy I would’ve done it already.” Five sneered. “It’s more complicated than that. It’s not just a collar just like these briefcases are not just a briefcase. I’d explain how it works, but neither of you are smart enough to understand. What I need you two to do is keep an eye on him so I can go to The Commission and figure out how to take this thing off him without making him any more stupid than he already is.”

He looked down at Diego who was still smiling up at him. “Isn’t that right.” He cooed. “Don’t you want to be human again.” Diego made a playful noise tongue lolling out.

He turned back to Klaus and Vanya. “He can walk sometimes, but most times he’ll sit on the floor. He is potty trained and he does know how to say a few words. Don’t give him any knives and try not to let him get hit by a car.” He looked back at Diego rubbing his head. “Now be a good boy for your brother and sister.” He popped out of the room. 

“Well this is cool.” Klaus said flopping on to the vacated seat. 

“This is weird, that’s what this is.” Vanya said. Diego tilted his head giving her a look before bumping his head against her arm. “What do we do?”

“I think he wants you to pet him.” Klaus laughed. 

“I’m not going to pet him.” she said. “He’s our brother.”

“Yeah our brother who really wants you to pet him.” Klaus grabbed the sides of Diego’s face. “How can you say no to those doe eyes.” Both Diego and Klaus pouted up at her. 

“This is so weird.” She said reaching out to rub awkwardly at Diego’s head. He gave a small bark and grinned at her.

“Oh look he makes noises.” Klaus crowed. “That’s so cute. I wonder if he plays fetch. Hold on I’ll grab a ball.” He ran out of the room.

“Just you and me then huh.” Vanya studied Diego. The collar around his neck oddly suited him. It matched his all black attire that he insisted on wearing all the time. Looking at his attire she saw that it wasn’t what he usually wore. Diego almost never wore shorts yet here he was wearing loose black shorts and a baggy black t-shirt. She also noticed that his hair was held back from his face with the use of bobby pins. “Boy did the guys at the commission sure did have a field day with you didn’t they.” 

Diego huffed and rested his head on his hands which she could now see were manicured instead of their usual bitten off state.

“You’re actually kinda cute like this.” She grinned and moved to scratch behind his ear. Diego in turn moved so he was facing away from her. “Awe don’t be mad.” She laughed. “I’m sure you’ll make a ferocious guard dog.”

“I’m baaack.” Klaus sang as he bounded into the room. Both Diego and Vanya turned to look at him. “I didn’t know what he would like to play with so I got a bunch of different things.”

“Yeah I can see that.” She said. He had in his arms three different sized balls, a rope, some clothes, and a slipper. “A slipper?” She asked.

“It’s Five’s” he said. “Dogs love to chew on stuff. Don’t you boy.” He blew kisses at Diego. “Come on. Let’s go outside. You want outsies?” Diego hopped off the couch to follow him looking curiously at the stuff in Klaus’s hands. 

Vanya rolled her eyes. “I’ll go get the door.” She said jogging ahead.