Bramble's Doggy Friends

Bramble is getting so confident now meeting all sorts of different dogs, thanks to puppy classes. She goes on a Monday, (where she meet puppies her age) and then Wednesdays, (where she meets adult dogs). Because she goes both nights it's ideal really as she is meeting all sorts of ages, sizes and types of dogs. Tonight she spent most of the time playing with Cuddles, a small crossbreed. They got on really well. Cuddles is pretty much Bramble's size and luckily likes playing just the same way as Bramble does; rough & tumble! Not all dogs can cope with her enthusiasm and energy and full on attitude towards play but Cuddles enjoyed playing with her so everyone was happy. In puppy classes she also gets to meet new people, as there are all the dogs owners (who, being dog lovers, pet her and make a fuss of her witch she loves - especially tummy rubs!) and sometimes other children come too. So puppy classes offer great opportunity for socialisation for Bramble and now she runs into the vets happily (unlike some dogs who hate going to the vets!)

Bramble fell asleep like this the other day, she was one tired pup!

Puppies often mouth but Bramble rarely mouths and when she does she is so gentle! We tend to just trade her for a toy and praise her for the trading when she chooses to chew anything inappropriate. We have had no furniture chewing really, touch wood, but if anything is left on the floor then she'll chew that - shoes, cardboard boxes, children's teddy bears etc but we just blame ourselves for leaving them around and trade her for a chew - the antler ones are her favourite!!

Bramble is encouraged to go crazy with all her energy in the garden, and be calm in the house, which is basic assistance dog manners. She is not being "walked" as such yet, because she is still young & her joints are a concern. She gets her "working" outings, a few free runs a week and lots of playtime in the garden. When she's 6 months old we will start walking her but to begin with it will be short 30 minute walks. She is getting the idea though of being calm in the house, I will let her outside to play with Amber & Holly, or I will go out play with her, and then she comes inside and settles down, normally in her basket. It helps that Amber, on the whole, refuses to play with the puppies in the house, so they quickly get the idea that outside = play & go crazy, then house = calm & settle down.