Rain, rain go away!

We had almost non-stop rain/showers today & it wasn't fun. Sure glad we don't live in Vancouver or Seattle because I wouldn't be able to tolerate constant rain. (Apologies to those people who live in drought-stricken parts of the world because I know my attitude would be different if I hardly ever saw rain. Not the case here,) We don't often get a full day of rain, rain & nothing but rain; happens infrequently here. Today was one of those days.


Yesterday, we moved puppies out of their whelping box and set up a special puppy pen right next to the sliders leading out to our patio/garden. The pen has a grate floor so if they have to 'go', they do it onto papers below the grates. They sleep on soft mats inside this special crate. It's close to the patio doors so we can let them outdoors as soon as they awaken - all part of their house training. The next step after this puppy pen will be individual crates.


Had to wait for breaks in the downpours today to let the pups outside to do their business today. They didn't like the rain but they were pretty good at going outdoors when it stopped - got their tummies & paws wet on the grass, endured some raindrops too. Not their preferred type weather right now. But at almost 5 weeks, they have started the road to housetraining. I started giving them a small food reward for going outdoors - when I could get to the puppy in time.

Sundays are usually doggy 'pedicure' days. All the adults have their mails trimmed (did the puppies too) - the dogs lie on the couch (this is one of those times when it's actually good to have your dog up on your furniture because it's easier on your back!), put their paws up in the air & I trim their nails & they get rewards. I used to Dremel their nails but have become so adept at using a clipper that that's how they get their nails done. Later on, when the puppies were nursing from Miska, I brought out the power vacuum head and turned it on to pick up all the nail clippings while they fed. Did any puppy notice the scary sound of the power vacuum? Nope! Not a one. Several of them came up to investigate the vacuum head, showing no fear. Here's a photo of Mr Blue climbing on the power head (motor is off but the suction is still going).


Two days earlier, I had set up a small crate inside the whelping box & that's where the puppies slept overnite. I've now moved it into the family room next to the puppy pen so puppies can go in/out as they please. Here's Mr Black enjoying being in the crate (and I haven't even started playing Susan Garrett's crate games with them yet).