Bigger is Better

Ziva will be three months old on Thanksgiving. She weighed in at 19.5 pounds this morning at the vet. That is nine pounds in less than a month. Sounds like the way MY weight goes at times. lol

The vet said everything looks really good and was very pleased with all the work we've done with Ziva already. She got her second shots, wormer, and heart-worm meds today. We go back in a month for the third series of shots.

That means around Valentine's Day, she will be spayed. I dread that! I lost a puppy, many many years ago, when she died as she was being spayed. She had a heart defect that they didn't find until they did a necropsy on her. I am loving Ziva so much and would be totally devastated if I were to lose her to something like that!!!

Ok, no more bad thoughts. I will try to take photos later this week, when I update her at age 12 weeks. Training for the week includes more free time off leash in the house, more walking the street with her, more body handling, and the commands: sit, down, and stay.

Ride On!!!

Eleven Weeks Old

Ziva is growing like a WEED!!! She has learned the command "sit" and is rock solid on riding in the car, calmly. She likes chasing/herding the little rat terriers. She is bigger than they are, but they put her in her place if she gets too carried away.

Look out for those snarling rattie teeth!!!

Ziva says, "I like my ball!"

Studio Helper

It isn't even seven in the morning and here we are, Ziva and I, in my studio, reading morning emails. I don't recall being so in love with a dog! She is just awesome! I am having her on a leash, next to me, in the house, more and more these days.

Don't get me wrong, she isn't the angel she appears to be ALL the time! lol She has taken correction well though. I am reviewing a couple training methods I have used in the past. I have two books that I am gleaning through for information on training tips and techniques.

One command I have to break myself from using is "leave it" as it sounds an awful lot like her name, Zee-va. She has almost learned to sit on command now. Her leash skills are very good! She never has been one to tangle herself around my legs.

Review of training this past week:
Riding in the car on the front seat
Visiting people at a rummage sale
Visiting neighbor across the street
Walking on the street and stopping to visit a man raking his leaves
Brushing, clipping nails, and bathing
Leaving the cats alone or just playing with them softer
Staying with me in the house, on a leash
Not nipping at my son as if he were another puppy
Letting me put my hand in the food bowl when she eats
Rubbing inside ears, teeth, and holding her paws
Being leash tied to different things while I raked leaves

And more!