BlackJack Update

We've had our new puppy 2 weeks now and he has kept us on our toes! The house training is coming along and accidents are becoming less frequent, but we've still gone through almost an entire bottle of rug cleaner. We're also finding out which types of toys he likes, and which couch corners he prefers to chew on. That would be all of them.

BlackJack is so well-behaved in public one would never think he has an hour or two each night where he goes crazy at home chewing on everything and nipping and biting at us when we try to stop him. We're practicing Cesar Millan's techniques on being a calm-assertive pack leader. It takes patience, but it's very fascinating stuff.

BlackJack had his first vet appointment Friday where he received antibiotics for a respiratory infection. Poor guy, he's had it since we got him but the vet kept rescheduling our appointments. Now he's medicated and he can finally get the last of his shots next week.

This morning we took our weekly outing to Tempe Town Lake for a long walk. We tire him out so when we get home we have a few hours to get things done around the house. He's a little bundle of energy and when he's out of his kennel we have to watch him every second to make sure he doesn't a) have an accident b) dig up the carpet or c) chew up the furniture. In that order.

BlackJack is fascinated with grass. Seeing as he doesn't experience it much here in Phoenix, when he does he goes to town. And by that I mean he tries to eat ALL of it. Here he is with a blade of it stuck between his teeth. (click on the picture to maximize and see the grass)



And here I am trying to get it out of his teeth, not very successfully.



Focused on a passerby:



Running. Look at those ears flop! And I don't mean mine . . .



After the walk we took a trip to PetSmart so BlackJack could sniff out other dogs and we could have fun shopping for toys and dog treats. He's a pretty scary puppy as you can see . . .



Here's BlackJack when we got back from a potty break to find Steve vacuuming. BlackJack was freaked out and ran as fast as he could from the door to behind the couch where he could still see the monster vacuum but was at a safe distance so as not to be eaten. Hmm, perhaps we could work the vacuum in as a part of the discipline process . . .



One of his favorite toys: an innocent white teddy bear he is determined to shake the life out of. He moves so fast we have a hard time getting still shots.



Rawhide . . . the puppy pacifier! He'll chew on these for hours at a time. Also referred to as our "wit's end" toy.



Typical BlackJack when we're cooking in the kitchen. He likes to be wherever the action is. I have to be careful he doesn't stick his head in the hot oven when I open it, he just MUST see where the smell is coming from.



And finally, his favorite playing position. Watch out, this is PG-13. Just when we're fed up with him he goes into this playing position and we can't help but laugh! He's so funny!