I mean to say, I am supposed to be training the puppy right? Well it is not working out that way. She appears to be training me. She has found things in this house that I don't think the house even knew about. Yesterday she was chewing a pin, then she found some handbags. Later she appeared with one of the sneakers that I do not wear anymore. I really think that she has noticed that my house is sort of lived in and needs a good tidy. While this may be a good thing, however, I really protest enforced household spring cleaning when it is not spring.
The puppy also loves to find my knickers to drag around the house. I know that they are clean knickers because I put the used ones straight into the washing machine. Obviously I need to police the whole folding up and putting away method. I guess that she likes to make a bed of clean underwear and to stretch out for a lovely doggie sleep.
I find myself playing tug-of-war with her all the time. Last night I was taking the shower curtains down and ended up playing the silly game with her until I could get them into the washing machine. I am really finding it hard to get dressed as she latches on to whatever I am trying to put on or take off.
I have been taking her to puppy pre-school and rather than her learning anything I am learning that everything I do is wrong. She only weighs 1.7kg and yet she is the most assertive pup in the class. She loves to egg on Brooklyn the golden retriever and then turn on her and growl and show her teeth. The teacher says that it is normal for a puppy to do this. I understand that but Brooklyn who weighs about 6 kg is being beaten up by something that she could probably eat for breakfast.
I will say however, that Henny picks things up very quickly. (See previous paragraph on picking up). She has learned to sit and come and now we are going through drop. I find it hard to do this one because you actually have to get down on the puppy's level. I really need a bigger dog to achieve this. I can practice at home by getting down on the floor but I cannot let the other members of the class see my rather ungainly way of getting back on my feet. I am getting a little excited I think because my plan is to teach Hen to roll over. She already knows how to play dead but that is because she is asleep at the time.
What Hen has taught me so far is to pick absolutely everything up off the floor. I now know that she loves paper, pencils, stones, shoes, socks, anything that is huge and difficult to move, handbag handles, mobile phones and tv remotes. She also loves to try to herd the cat around the house. The cat is three times her size and has no sense of humour what-so-ever. If Hen tries to bite her tail once more the cat will not be responsible for her actions.
I came in from shopping yesterday and realized that the lounge room is set out for a toddler. There is a rug on the floor plus a nice bed. There are soft toys, balls, squeakers and chew bones strewn everywhere. I have been trained. My house is not my home any-more. It is merely the playground for Miss Henrietta Rose maltese/chihuahua/poodle cross.
