First bath today (at home, anyway). All that hair slicked down and she looks half her size. Big head, skinny body. She scored high on forgiveness in the LER, though, so in the end we were back in her good graces.

A Ride in the Minivan

Benelli looks huge in this photo

Went to the park with the kids on a not-too-hot day and took Benelli. She's learning to come when called and spit out something that's not supposed to be in her mouth. Alissa has to hold onto her leash in the van's third row because her favorite spot to ride is under the brake pedal. : )

Benelli: 1, Ball: 0

A Week of Firsts

Benelli has had a big week and it's only Wednesday.

Benelli went to the groomer for the first time, and met a new friend, Morgan, the groomer. She's also a good photographer. Here's a picture she took for the Woof City (Lake Dallas) Facebook page.

They have a puppy orientation program that acclimates the puppy to clippers, brushing, bathing, nail clippers and all that stuff. We weren't going to "do" anything the first time in - just visit and have a great time - but she was doing so well that she actually got her nails clipped and a little trim. She did fine.

Another first was our oldest daughter (age six) walking her home from the groomer (half a block away, with mom and siblings following in the minivan). She did great there, too. A little pulling, but was very good.

Alissa is an aspiring dog trainer whose current hero is Cesar Millan.

"This is the first and probably the last time we can get her on the exam table."

Yet another was Benelli's first trip to the our vet for her 12 week shots and a check-up - and to meet all the cool nice people there. Dr. Carol Eddy has been our vet for about 10 years and is super, she has been with us through a lot and we love her.

Belli took the whole vet thing in stride, and took the opportunity to take a nap.

This week, we're beginning to see the puppy crazies. Yesterday, we came home from dinner (we'd left her in her ex pen) and she was loose in the house. The door to the ex pen was still firmly locked. Shilohs can jump and climb! She'll be in the crate when we're not home from now on.

Her personality is really developing. Wish us luck!

Belli Barks at Bowl, Attacks

After Benelli finishes her breakfast, she attacks the dish. Not every day, but when she does it, it's quite funny. Managed to catch her on video during our own breakfast one day last week. Enjoy.

10 week update

Benelli is doing super. It's been 12 years since we had a puppy, and they were a Lab and a Collie: Benelli is a very different critter than they were. She is scary smart, at 10 weeks she understands things and figures things out like six month old puppy. 

House-training has gone easier than any other dog i have seen. Her only problem behavior is that she is a little too mouthy (sharp puppy teeth) with the kids - she is getting better, but her nature is to use her mouth to figure out the world.

Belli is sleeping in her crate in our room with no problems, she usually needs to go out once in the night but she is very polite about asking. She spends most of the day in her exercise  pen, sleeping and playing, when not getting focused attention. We are transitioning Belli to a raw diet and she is loving it. Her ears are starting to stand up and she is growing like a weed.

The Princess & The Pea