Hi All, I just thought I would give you all a little update on how things are going with Zulu, who is 12 weeks old… I was lucky to have 2 weeks off over Easter, which was timed well as he was able to get out more as had his 2nd vaccination. There have been some MAJOR improvements all round size he has been socialising and I have been at home with him… Toilet training He is can quite easily go 4-5 hours without needing a wee. This has made a big difference as I only need to wake him up once in the night to go to the toilet, around 2am. There have been times where I forgot to wake him up and he was able to go about 6 hours without needing to go to the toilet. He is still home alone for 8 hours a day, but we do pop into during our lunch break so he can go to the toilet and have a little run around. Socialization Over the past 4 weeks, he has been going to puppy school once a week (indoors) and has got to meet quite a few puppys (and humans) in the process. Over the past 10 days I have been taking him to the local dog park (daily), where he meets atleast 10-15 new dogs each day (maybe more), as well as plenty of pats and rubs from their owners. We also took him down to the beach for the first time (something we plan to do every Saturday morning) and he just loved playing in the water. He also met plenty of dogs on the beach. So things going very well socially. Walking He does most of his walking and playing off the lead in our very big terraced garden (over 500 square meters). Most of the time he spends chasing the kitten around the garden. He doesn’t really like taking walks in the area with his lead on, but he walks SO well when not on his lead. Weight I took him to the vet last week (for a heart worm injection) and he was all good and healthy, weighing about 9.2kgs (at 12 weeks of age) Kids This has been by far the best improvement for me, which im a so happy about. When we first got Zulu, he was biting the kids clothing and jumping up on them, then all of a sudden there was NONE of it. He is so gentle with the kids (even when they get rough with him, or they give him bug hugs and cuddles). I cant remember the last time he actually jumped up onto anyone or bit their clothing. Diet At the moment, we are giving Zulu 50% of his required kibble per day (premium kibble). The other 50% of his diet is made up of good quality scraps and meaty bones (mainly chicken or lamb). Thats all i can thin k of for now Cheers, Robbie
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Also... Something i forgot to mentioned is that Zulu doesnt seem to be a big chewer. He has a few chew toys and a towel in his crate which all seem to be in one piece.. i assume thats a good thing too?
Re: Zulu - 12 week update He sounds like the perfect puppy If he is not a big chewer then you are lucky! That is a good thing. Great to hear that everything is going so well.
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Yeh, he has been very good, but i guess the more i put in the better he is going to be I have been trying my best with him since igot him as iv heard the first 3 months are critical for puppys.
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Definitely No doubt his good behaviour is as much a result of the work you are doing as it is a result of his nice nature.
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Really pleased to hear it is going so well for you all. As you say, the more effort you put in when they are puppies the better. You might find he gets to be a bit of a chewer when he starts teething, but as you have young kids you'll know all about that
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Well Done you! He sounds really lovely It's nice to see how it's all going.
Re: Zulu - 12 week update He sounds like a wonderful pup and you are doing so well with him have you got any recent photos?
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Thanks guys! Here is a pic of Zulu at around 12 weeks: https://www.flickr.com/photos/115697696@N07/14056172225/in/set-72157642762390453
Re: Zulu - 12 week update GlD to hear things are coming along so well, hats off to you and Zulu! He looks bright eyed and content!
Re: Zulu - 12 week update What a bright looking puppy! Well done Robbie, you are obviously doing a brilliant job with him!
Re: Zulu - 12 week update Zulu is gorgeous, so glad you are enjoying him Robbie, good for you and your family for all your hard work x
