A very Merry Christmas

They say Christmas is for children. Well in this house it's all about our dogs. We had wrapped all their toys and treats individually. Taking each of them in turn we opened their presents. Didn't actually get very far because they all got so excited that they  wanted to see what was in the next package rather than concentrate on the toy we'd just opened  for them! Couldn't get them to come to either of us for their next one, they just milled around whichever of us happened to be holding a present. Utter chaos!

It ended up as a free for all, with them all swapping toys, squeaking them as much as they could manage. Kayla and Bella squabbled over one toy whilst Kai played with another. Kayla demanded that I throw a toy for her repeatedly (as is the norm for her) to fetch with Bella in hot pursuit, trying to tug the toy away from her. Kai also did his best to get in on the act, running and jumping at the Girls as they went backwards and forwards. They didn't know which toy to play with next! We decided not to open any more of their toys, so instead opened one of their edible presents, rawhide chews. These went down well with Kayla as always being the first to finish in record time. It was Kai's first, and he loved it!

Toys played with, and chews finished off, all three dogs proceeded to crash out for the next few hours. Rallied round when it was time for their Christmas Dinner unsurprisingly. Family tradition, the dogs always get a share of the roast dinner added to their kibble. This year it was beef and all the trimmings.

With more presents still to be opened we can do it all over again. It gave me such pleasure to see them so excited. Kai's first Christmas.... a real cracker!!

Getting older.... and even more fantastic!!

Our little man, surrounded  by his toys

Kai was four months old on Saturday (17th). Not posted anything about him for a while, largely because there hasn't been a lot to write. It seems like a good time to take stock of where Kai is in his development. We're starting to see the dog he will become, his temperament, his reactions to things, his relationship with other dogs.

Where to start? Well let's look at the physical stuff first. He has had several big growth spurts, now standing a lot taller, with longer legs and a longer body. His tail must be at least twice as long as when we got him. It is held erect and has a wonderful 'windscreen wiper' action when it wags it. He's outgrown his first coat and now comfortably fills his new 12" one.

He still has to be lifted on and off the settee etc, but is noticeably taller. He can ask to get up by placing his paws on the arm of the chair or the seat of the sofa. He doesn't help himself though, backing away repeatedly when you go to lift him up. This rather sums Kai up to be honest.

What is he doing?

Everything is a game at the moment, or something to be explored, chewed or run off with. He somehow manages to drag items that are far bigger than him away from where he finds them. Eric's large walking boots are a classic example. Or the very large dog cuddly toy which is a current favourite. Initially he barked at it, presumably thinking it was a real dog. Now it is dragged around, chewed, jumped on and I hate to say it 'humped'. Not the only thing getting that treatment. Canada goose toy and my elbow whilst playing with him springs to mind...
Well we are four months old now!!

His facial fur is absolutely gorgeous. All fluffy and scruffy, with a beautiful contrast between the jet black and the white. His head seems to have widened and the classic Schnauzer beard is coming along well. I brush him and within five minutes he looks as scruffy as he did before. It won't be too long now until he goes to the grooming parlour. I wish them luck, he could wriggle for England!!

Yet more grot he's found!!

Kai is lovely. The word sums him up completely. If I ask Eric why he is lovely, his response is that he 'just is'. He's right. He has a wonderful nature, not a malicious bone in his body. Bright as a button, very playful and mischievous, yet more than happy to snuggle up and have a cuddle or sleep in my arms. He and Kayla absolutely adore each other, to the point that both are upset if the other is away. There are even signs that Bella is mellowing, especially when he's lying on me. Scary stuff indeed!

His recall is excellent, he understands no and drop, well most of the time. Sleeps on the bed with Eric and Kayla (only Bella lies on me in my chair at night, otherwise my life wouldn't be worth living). Incredibly good when we go out, he chews nothing, doesn't generally have an accident and gives us a fantastic welcome when we come home. He stretches up as high as he can manage, desperately trying to lick us.

Three banana shaped dogs to come home to, what could be better?

Oops, there goes another toy!

Kayla has always had the habit of dropping toys in the pond.  She is incredibly dexterous, leaning precariously over the  edge to grab them back. How she doesn't fall in is mystery.

Eric captured this lovely moment of the two of them gazing down at the latest victim.

Kai, the imp!

Kai is at that age where everything is interesting and must be explored. This has ended up with him falling in the pond twice recently. Thank goodness for a hairdryer and a puppy who rather likes being dried that way!! Unfortunately no pictures, we were more bothered about getting him dry as soon as we could.

This afternoon he was wandering around in the kitchen, exploring as usual. He disappeared under one of the kitchen units and look how he came out..

Here are the car keys - Let's go!

Putting his coat on has become an absolute battle of wills. He thinks it's a huge game, being totally unhelpful. Trying to get his head though the hole, whilst trying to stop him grabbing at the coat at every opportunity is somewhat of a challenge. Of course he is wriggling like an eel at the same time which makes it even harder. We get there in the end, Getting the coat off isn't as difficult thank goodness!

This photo sums it up really. He looks really miffed because he didn't win!! Stupid really because once it's on he doesn't bother about it at all.



And finally the latest photo we have of Kai. aged 14 and a 1/2 weeks old.

He seems to become scruffier by the day. I brush him, yet moments later he is as scruffy as he was before. Still absolutely gorgeous though, and only adds to his impish nature.

The best dressed pup in town?

We bought this coat for Kai a couple of weeks after we got him. Dog coats seem to have evolved since the last time we bought one. This one has elastic loops which the back legs go through - stops the coat turning apparently! Once you've put his head through the hole there is a section that goes between the front paws and then is secured with a belt that goes around his waist.
(See the picture to the left)



Trying it on him was absolutely hilarious. We had bought the smallest one (10") but it was still really big on him. Anyway managed to get a very wriggly puppy into the coat and put him down on the sofa. Every time he walked he toppled over to the right. Somehow he'd managed to get his leg back through the hole... hence the falling over!! He'd also managed to get his lower jaw stuck inside, presumably trying to chew it. An unmitigated disaster!

Three weeks on, not only does the coat fit but he manages to wear it properly as well. Have to say he does look very nifty in it, even though I'm biased. What do you think?

Climbing stairs? No problemo!

Our stairs

Well Kai decided he was fed up with being left behind at the bottom of the stairs crying about two weeks ago, when he made it all the way up both parts of the stairs by himself. I was amazed watching him motor up them. Seeing as he's really only tall enough to reach the next step it's amazing that he can do it at all!! It's even more impressive because our stairs are open ones so he can see the floor all the time. Eric had sort of showed him what to do putting his front paws up on the next step.

We hadn't pushed it with him because we don't really want him going upstairs whilst we're still working on his toilet-training.

Kai, three steps down

onto the lower set of steps

Of course coming down is a different matter entirely, but he has gradually plucked up the courage and is now starting to get himself down regularly. He lost confidence after the first time he managed it and went back to crying at the top until Eric went and got him. That was a week or more ago, but in the last couple of days he has got back into it again.
It is really tricky for him because he's so small. Just another example of how brave and bold he is.


Even though he couldn't get himself down he would insist on going up at every opportunity. So we bought a baby gate. This was rested across the bottom of the stairs as a temporary measure until Eric fitted it properly..

Done i

Of course he tried to climb it and ended up with it falling on him. We then put a large box in front of the propped up baby gate so it wouldn't fall over. The clever little blighter got round this by going round the back of the chair, underneath the stairs and then hopped onto the first step from the back, turned round and then carried on going up the stairs!  I watched in disbelief as he worked out how to get past the obstruction. It seems as we have another intelligent problem solver on our hands.


All things considered it is probably best that he can now get himself back down the stairs whenever he goes up..... not sure what we'd try next!

Click here for a video of Kai coming down the stairs.

Kai's first walk

Today was the day. The day that Kai went for his first walk. It is too difficult for me to go with Eric to walk the dogs at the best of times because of my CRPS, let alone in the Winter which makes it flare even more. There was no way I was going to miss it, so this morning 'Operation Dog Walking' rolled into action. Eric has to help me do everything so going out is a military operation at the best of time.

our little man taking a breather

'hello, I'm Kayla, who are you?'

Suitably dressed and safely seated in my electric wheelchair with Kai on my lap off we went down the road. Eric took the other two down in the car as normal. It takes a good 10 minutes for me to get to the playing fields but Kai was as good as gold, sat quietly, didn't fidget, just gazed around taking everything in. He was a little worried by the traffic noise when we got as far as the row of shops, especially the double decker buses but didn't try to get off or get away. Over the pedestrian crossing and then Eric took him so that he could have his first taste of walking on a lead. Just across the car park to the car where the girls were waiting, probably miffed because their walk hadn't started!!

He was really good on the lead, needed a bit of encouragement at first but then happily toddled along next to Eric. Then we were on to the fields where the real fun began. He loved it, and everybody loved him! Lots of cuddles, meeting other dogs and most importantly lots of chasing after Bella and Kayla!

He is such a bold little chap that he took it all in his stride, wasn't scared, wagged his tail at people and dogs alike, having a really positive first experience.

'The Girls' - Kayla and Bella

The girls chased off a big fluffy German Shepherd that started to come bounding over so it is clear that they will look out for him. He responds to his name and comes back well. But to be honest he didn't stray far from us, and just followed the girls.

For a tiny puppy he certainly has lots of energy. He kept running after them long after I thought he would be tired. I fully expected to have to have him on my lap on the way back to the car but no he went the whole distance, albeit a far shorter walk than the girls' normal length.

ready to run after the ball again

The girls have a tennis ball each so there is lots of throwing and fetching to be done. I suspect it won't be long before he has a ball of his own. He did try to pick Kayla's up at one point, but he couldn't get his jaws round it. Bless him. Thoroughly soggy and wet he took the trip home in the warmth of the car.

As an aside I have to say that it was absolutely wonderful to see Bella running round, enjoying her walk. I really miss walking them so it was a double delight for me. She seemed really pleased to have me out with her as well. 

You would think that Kai would have crashed out when we got him home. Not a chance. He seems to have been even more energetic than normal for the rest of the day. We really do have a Duracell puppy!!

All in all a very satisfactory walk I'd say....

Click here to watch the videos we took of their walk 

Being left for the first time

Well today was the day. We've had Kai four weeks, so he's had lots and lots of time to get used to us and the girls. So we took the plunge and decided to go to lunch. Wouldn't be out too long, but long enough that it would be a good test for them being left together.They all had the run of the house downstairs, although only the bedroom door upstairs was left open. Bit worried about cables so items placed appropriately to prevent Kai getting to them. He has a thing about chewing cables, ruined an iPod cable, Nintendo 3DS charger and damaged a PS3 connection cable to date. Thankfully he's getting better with time.

We were absolutely delighted to find that nothing had been chewed, all was as we'd left it. The only thing that he'd obviously played with was his bed which had been pulled across the room. Kai hadn't even had an accident bless him. We were greeted by three delighted doggies, Kai wagging his tail and leaping up like mad. Took him a while to get to us, every time he moved forwards he kept getting hit in the face by Bella's tail. More than made up for it though!!

Eric checked with our neighbours to see if there had been any noise. They didn't hear a thing which put the final shine on a very successful first time being left. We'll be able to leave them in the future safe in the knowledge that they will be fine. Not that we go out much anyway, as I can't cope with it.
And of course today was a big day for Kai, conquering coming down the stairs. That's for another post though....

Learning the ropes...

Kai, 1 day short of 11 weeks old.

Well Kai is 11 weeks old tomorrow and continues to grow rapidly. His collar is becoming tighter and will need to be enlarged soon. Amazing to think that just 3 weeks ago it was far too big! He is also getting taller, as he can now see over the edge of the sofa. We are some way from him being able to jump up, so the girls are safe for a while yet!

Kayla tends to leap onto the chair or sofa to escape him when he chases her. He launches himself unsuccessfully after her then stands with his paws as far up as he can reach and yaps at her. He also makes what can only be described as 'ewok sounds', a kind of 'I'm frustrated' sort of noise. He often does this when he's playing and is trying as hard as he can.

He's a sponge when it comes to learning how he should behave, taking his cue from the girls. His manners are really improving. Where he would scrabble to get at whatever we're eating, he will now sit and wait when asked. He also just lies down at mealtimes in the same way as the other two do. Far more civilised. He takes things very gently, finally deciding that he knows where his mouth is. When he was younger you would try to offer him something and he had no idea how to get hold of it. Of course his beard doesn't help and needs wiping whenever he eats and drinks.

Sitting next to Bella eating a carrot

The number of things he likes is constantly increasing, indeed we haven't found anything he doesn't like yet. A diverse range including fish, scrambled egg, ice cream, apple and even plum! A healthy appetite he enjoys his food, sometimes leaving some when he's had enough. Not a gannet!!
He's very good about food, showing no possessive streaks. Bodes well for the future.

Kai walking across 'the corridor'

Toilet-training is still hit and miss. Some days he's brilliant, even barking before the alarm went off the other morning because he needed to go out. He's been going through the night accident free for some time. We're picking up the signs of when he wants to go, or perhaps he's getting better at telling us!!

What is really bizarre is that he has also had an accident whilst lying on the sofa next to Eric, some days has accidents all over the place and even started peeing when he was about to come across 'the corridor' between the sofa and my chair.(see photo). That's puppy bladders for you I guess.

Kayla is really funny when Kai is doing something she thinks he shouldn't (such as grabbing Eric's slippers. With toy in mouth and lots of woofing she pounces up and down in front of him. Bella just tends to watch, as is her way. Kai for his part isn't phased at all, he isn't bothered by either of them. This is a bit of an issue with Bella who isn't as enamoured with him as Kayla. My girl doesn't approve of silly behaviour, so she tends to try and avoid him, and growls at him he he jumps around her. This is also her way, she always grumbles at Kayla about various things. Top dog and all that. Kai is slowly learning his place with her, and they are fine together when on me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

All in all he's coming on well.I'm managing to interact with him a lot more in the last day or so and feel much happier that I will form a firm bond with him. Those of you who read my CRPS blog will know that this was a major issue for me.Being stuck in my chair I've got to find ways to attract him over. His squeaky duck works really well. He loves playing tug so I'm onto a winner I think!!

Progressing nicely - general update

Well Kai was ten weeks old yesterday. He now weighs 2.2kg. He had his second vaccination (he yelped again, poor little man) so in a couple of weeks he will be going with the girls for a walk in the morning. He should have no trouble socialising, being confident and bold. There is no doubt that the girls will see off any dogs they don't like the look of to protect him.

He is picking things up really quickly and easily. He really is a good puppy, no trouble at all. His manners are improving. Where he would try and get in the mug with you whilst drinking tea, he is now not paying as much attention. If the mug is on the table though then it's fair game, which keeps us on our toes! He's not teething as much so biting is less. Huge relief all round.

Oh, they've gone upstairs again and I can't follow them..

Toilet training going well. He takes himself to the back door or toddles down garden with Eric. The only snag is that he is so easily distracted that he forgets what he's out there for, and then does it when he comes back in. He is also using the paper if he can't get out, when Eric is out. Sadly his aim isn't particularly great. He goes round and round in circles and then misses. Still, he's go the right idea!

He and Kayla adore each other. They regularly play together. He gives as good as he gets, and Kayla is really gentle with him. She also gets him to chase her, something she's tried with other dogs we've had, but never succeeded. Kai is only too happy to oblige. As a result he hasn't really chewed anything he shouldn't. There are so many toys around anyway because of the girls that there is always one to hand. He has a couple of toys of his own, soft ones which he seems to like. The teething toy we bought him have been thoroughly chewed up. Unfortunately not by Kai, but Kayla of course. At this rate we're going to have to get two sets, one for Kai and another for her!!

He has reached the age where he wants to try any bit of 'grot' that he can find. We get all manner of things being brought in, from twigs to pieces of foam (thanks to the builders next door) and anything in between. He even came in with a bowl that was so big that he couldn't walk properly with it in his mouth. Like most of the girls' toys this doesn't bother him in the slightest. He just totters forward, falling over it every few steps!!

It's a hard life being a puppy...

Grooming him can be a bit of a battle. He wriggles so much it becomes impossible to brush the leg or whatever bit you're trying to do. He doesn't bat an eyelid having his ears plucked. I think it bothers me considerably more than it does him. It's usually the front paws that are hardest to do. Hopefully as he gets older he will be calmer. Vital that he gets a full groom each day otherwise it could become an issue. Not good as he will have to be clipped at regular intervals throughout his life.


Kai is an absolute joy to have. He's brought us so much pleasure already. We are lucky to have him and love him to pieces. Who wouldn't love our little 'ewok'!!!

It's the wrong.... beds!

Why do dogs like to sleep in the most uncomfortable way they can?

Perfect example shown in this photo. Bella has somehow managed to squeeze herself onto Kai's tiny bed. Meanwhile Kai is hogging the huge dog bed we have for the girls. I just had to take a photeo and put it on here!

Velociraptor!

Ah, a finger.. Think I'll bite that!!

Oh boy, is Kai teething or what?!?

He has teeth and he knows how to use them. Namely sinking them into us at every available moment given half a chance. He prefers to bite Eric, going for sleeves, shoes, wrist, hand, fingers. He has also become very adept at pulling his hankie out of his pocket.

He has teething dummies which he is starting to gnaw at but irritatingly Kayla seems to get hold of them at every opportunity. She got through two whole sets of teething keys when she was a pup, plus what was left of Bella's.

Haven't I grown?

It's amazing how quickly Kai is growing. You don't notice the change when you're with him every day but you do when you compare photos. His facial hair is rapidly developing into the beard, eyebrows etc which are so characteristic of the Mini Schnauzer. He is becoming more handsome every day!

Kai today, aged just under 9 weeks

Kai aged 7 weeks and a day

His character is coming out as well. He is brave, bold and inquisitive. He's really playful, loves tugging things and of course chewing! He loves pouncing at Kayla, biting her tail and generally being a pest! 

He's a really good puppy, already doing most of hi 'business' outside, taking himself to the back door. He comes when he's called, happily following Eric up and down the garden.

It's hard work looking after a puppy....

... says Kayla!

When we first got Kai, she was very nervous about him. He was tiny (and still is) but there was curling of her lips and general hostility towards him. Kayla the nutter soon mellowed into Kayla the doting 'big sister'. She has always wanted our other dogs to love her, but she has always gone about it the wrong way and never really succeeded. Of course nothing was different with Kai. She started to love him, but would then clump him with her paw in the usual way when she doesn't get the immediate reaction she wants.

Just checking Kai's alright

The transformation in Kayla's demeanor and behaviour has been amazing. It's as if she has suddenly grown up. No more the constant demands for us to throw her toys, the dashing around the living room, leaping around the furniture like a mad thing. She has become careful (most of the time) and now doesn't clump him, rather gently touches him with her paw. She rarely strays far from him, watching him to make sure he's ok. This even extends to when he's asleep. She watches him, as if concerned that he is too still. He of course has responded to her affection and it is clear that he adores her just as much as does him.

It is lovely to watch them play, Kayla lying down so that he can climb on her or pounce at her. Lots of play poses, pouncing at each other, playing with toys. She has become unbelievably tolerant. He is teething like crazy but in the main she is lets him bite and pull her tail, grab at her leg etc. Of course the constant attention has taken it's toll and she looks exhausted bless her. He's hanging onto her tail and she does little more than look at Eric as if to say 'I wish he'd stop that'. She certainly takes her role seriously devoting all her time to him. She won't even get on the bed at night until she's happy that he's alright. It has been the absolute making of Kayla. She would have made an outstanding mother. If he does something he shouldn't she will dance around with a toy in her mouth, woofing.

In the last day or so she has finally started to take herself up the stairs or get onto the sofa where he can't follow for some quiet time. She is also starting to discipline him gently if he becomes too boisterous such as tugging and biting her tail too hard. It does take a long time for her to get to this point. Lots of magical moments between the two of them. Kayla being as clever as she is, has already learned the command 'Wher'es Kai, go and find him'. Off she goes to find him, and will bring him back inside gently.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad,

Kai, the tea drinker

I'm sure there's tea in here somewhere!

From the moment we got  him, Kai has been obsessed with tea. He gets a whiff and he's there. To the point that at first he would be trying to get into the mug with you as you were drinking it!!
We've never known a dog like drinking tea at such a young age. You'd think it would be too strong a flavour. No, he loves it!!

Kayla teaching Kai to play

Kayla is learning to be gentle with him. After the first couple of days where she was her usual dysfunctional self, clumping him with her paw to get a reaction, making him yelp, she has taken a different approach. She started doing play poses at him, then pounced back and forth. Initially he sat and watched her but after a few attempts he started to respond. Tentative steps towards them starting to play. He has started to do the same back. Some lovely moments upstairs when I was having a bath.

Kai is so brilliantly sure of himself, he sits and watches, taking everything in before going further. Even when she was too rough with him, he went straight back in for more. He isn't frightened of her or Bella, and has started playing with Kayla's toys. They are huge but he manages to lift them and carry them around.

Magical moment this morning. Kai was holding black sheep. Kayla pounced with her paw, got the toy. Kai jumped backwards. Kayla then put the toy on the ground a little in front of her. As if giving the toy back to him. She then picked it up and placed it closer still. He was watching her but didn't move. Finally she nosed the toy towards him. This time he grabbed it. A lovely moment showing just how caring she is.

Similar thing happened this afternoon. Kayla went and got her yellow rugby ball. She rolled it to Kai from further away and hadn't got his attention. She rolled it a second time. This time he grabbed at it.

I think Kayla and Kai are going to become very close. Kayla is constantly looking out for him, she is such a caring girl and now she has someone that she can love and be a playmate to. She is constantly looking for him and checking he is alright.

About Kai

Kayla, the `nutter` of the family

Kai is our Miniature Schnauzer, born on 17th August 2011. He is a beautiful black and silver colour. Kennel Club name Hawkwellpark Plumridge,

We have never had a 'Mini Schnauzer' before, but we have always been a three dog family going right back to our first dogs, Tawr, Badger and Sage. The mix has always been two large and one small, be they rescue dogs (usually Oldies - something I would recommend wholeheartedly by the way. All they want is love, food and walks, but what they give back is
love in spades) or puppies.

Bella, my wonderful girl

 
We went down to two dogs because we lost the wonderful Brunty. Our current two, Bella & Kayla were both puppies when we got them. Both are extremely intelligent Border Collies who we are devoted to. Bella is thoroughly bonded to me, whilst Kayla is the same with my husband Eric.

Kai, taken the evening we got him. 6/10/2011

So why a Mini Schnauzer? 'The Girls' don`t take any nonsense where other dogs are concerned, but they tend to get on well with small dogs. There are a couple they see on their walk and played with. Eric thought they were lovely. He suggested we might like one, I looked them up, a friend brought her`s round and we were both smitten.




All that was left was to find a good breeder and go for it! As you can see from the photo above we found one! Having no prior experience of the breed we chose a local Kennel Club Accredited Breeder. Our little man came from a family run breeder, meaning the litter was born and grew up indoors and so gained valuable socialisation in those early weeks of life. 

This is Peggy, Kai`s mother

This is Oscar, Kai`s father

Here are Kai's parents, Peggy and  Oscar. They were due to be clipped when went the first time but were gorgeous. The next time they had been and Oscar in particular was incredibly handsome.

We chose Kai at 2 weeks old from a litter of 5 (2 Dogs, 3 Bitches). We were able to visit Kai again when he was 4 weeks old, then 5 and a half weeks, before bringing him home just after he was 7 weeks. It was amazing how much he changed in such a small time, with his head and fur changing dramatically each time.

Kai, 2 weeks old, 31/8/2011

At 2 weeks Kai was absolutely tiny. His eyes were just about open. He was already inquisitive. Beautiful markings and fur so soft and jet black. An absolute little cracker!

Kai, 4 weeks old, 14/8/2011

Kai, just under 6 weeks old, 26/9/2011

By 4 weeks he had changed loads. He was bigger and his eyes were fully open. His fur had grown a little longer and was coarser. Seemed really comfortable being held by us. Constantly looking around taking things in. You could see the start of his beard and those beautiful silver eyebrows.

Big changes by the next time we next saw him. He was beginning to look like a Mini Schnauzer. His fur was longer and his facial hair developing nicely. He was also developing a gorgeous `scruffy` look. Much more active he was licking and nibbling at us. He was also running around, albeit clumsily. Not very co-ordinated!! Really steady, not frightened by anything. Really excited about getting him!



We picked him up on 6/10/2011. The beginning of our lives together had finally arrived. our little man was home.