Fit as a fiddle!

After a month of recording his pulse rate and breathing Kai went back to the Vet today, to see about his possible heart murmur. After a thorough examination he was given a clean bill of health! His pulse is nice and low, and there's no sign of a murmur at all. It was a different Vet, an older and more experienced one. She reckons that the problem was purely mechanical, brought on by him getting so worked up. A huge relief, we were so worried about him, for obvious reasons, so it is brilliant to know that our little man is as fit as a fiddle. The thought of him having something wrong with his heart didn't bear thinking about.

She also doesn't advocate castration other than for behavioral reasons, so unless he starts becoming a sex mad, 'hump everything in sight' type dog at 9 months or so Kai will escape the snip as well! Another small milestone happened yesterday. Kai cocked his leg for the first time whilst out on his walk. Shame I missed it, but Eric was very proud of him!

Bella and Kai

Well it has taken five months, but Bella has now fully accepted Kai and doesn't growl at him anymore, bare her teeth or try and keep out of his way. Major step forward, and means we won't have to worry when they all get left on their own occasionally. It also means that we have a lovely, harmonious household. Indeed Bella still grumbles at Kayla, yet lets Kai do things she wouldn't let Kayla get away with in a million years!

We can't claim any of the accolades for their bonding, it was largely down to a lot of hard work done by Kai himself, together with Bella deciding that he is no threat and actually is as lovely a dog as we think he is! It has been fascinating watching Kai slowly wear her down. He stopped barking at her ages ago or standing his ground when she bared her teeth and growled at him. He started to be more submissive, sniffing around her muzzle, then making himself as low as possible when she growled. Basically he started to show her more and more respect. He has never rolled over though submitting completely, he's too sure of himself to do that.

He also tried another tack. Bella has specific toys that she likes to play with, a boot and a little squeaky dog. Kai started to try and grab them when I was playing with her. At first she was really hostile but over time she became more comfortable. So then he started to pick up the boot when it was on the floor and try to get her to chase him. As time has gone on she has become more receptive. We have actually got to the point now that if Belle is on my lap, he will sneakily grab the boot and run off with it. She then will go after him and try and get it back. Not very successfully at times either! This sort of thing would have been unthinkable a few months ago.

It's a brilliant outcome, because both of them are happier in themselves, where Kai wasn't sure why she wouldn't love him, and her feeling all threatened and negative. Fingers crossed they remain the best of friends forever.

Does Kai have a heart murmur?

Last Tuesday was meant to be the day that Kai was castrated. Instead we got a call from our Vet mid morning saying that during her usual pre-op examination she had heard a slight heart murmur. He was also pale (gums) so she was concerned about proceeding. She recommended a blood test, which of course we agreed to. We hoped the results would be normal but unfortunately his red blood cell count was lower than it should be. Not hugely but enough to confirm her suspicions.

The trouble is that (she explained) there may be several reasons why the murmur was present. He had got himself really worked up apparently to the point that they had to sedate him slightly. This could be one cause although it doesn't explain why the red blood cell count was lower than it should be. It could also be physiological in nature and he will grow out of it. Or he has a heart murmur which has been picked up really early. She reckons that he has about a one in six chance of having a murmur. So we were faced with a difficult decision. She said she could proceed with the operation but there would be additional risk with the anaesthetic. They monitor them very closely and at the first sign of trouble they would stop. The decision not to go through with the operation was a no-brainer, for the sake of him being castrated, we weren't prepared to put him at risk.

So what do we do now? Well, having discussed it with the Vet, we are going to monitor his pulse rate, breathing rate and gum reaction time, between now and when he has his first booster jab. At this point he will be fully grown so it should have gone if it's physiological. If it hasn't then she will have lots of data to determine whether he needs to have further investigations such as an echo, to see what's going on. We can also review getting him castrated, although that's way down the list of priorities. Our little man's long term health is what we're worried about.

As I write this we have a week's worth of data. It's impossible to check his gums, because there is so much pigmentation (brown/black). The Vet had trouble so what hope do we have? We have been recording pulse and breathing rates each day. Difficult to tell if they are good or bad as the Vet wouldn't give us a 'target' number for obvious reasons. Of course I have looked up details about canine pulse rates on the Internet and the range seems to be 60-160bpm. Kai is at the lower end of this range. Typically after 15 mins at rest he is about 90bpm. Asleep for a longer period it falls to 75bpm. After a play session of fetch and tug it only went up as far as 94. The highest I've managed to record was today. He had running around in the garden woofing at dogs next door. He came in full pelt when I called him (the bribery of a treat does the trick every time). It was 105. She hasn't put any restrictions in place exercise wise, it really is a case of getting a feel for what Kai's heart is doing.

Once we've been recording for a month Eric will take him back and see what she thinks. We're hoping that he just got himself incredibly worked up and that he doesn't have a murmur. Equally we hope it's physiological and so will go of it's own accord. And if it doesn't? Well, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Pet Insurance means they can do what they need to, to to diagnose and manage it. Whatever he needs he will get it!!

It was and remains really upsetting to hear that Kai may have a heart murmur. He is our gorgeous, wonderful, perfect little dog, who we both absolutely adore. He is an incredible character, so affectionate and just.... brilliant. The thought of him having ongoing heart problems and possibly not living as long as he should doesn't bear thinking about. He is so full of life, always up for a game of fetch or rough and tumble with Kayla. He goes for the same length of walk as our two border collies, and Eric tells me that he runs around constantly with a really zippy turn of speed. He eats well, and doesn't ever pull up or look like he's having problems. This all flies in the face of him having a murmur. Please let him be OK!

As an aside try finding the pulse on your dog. There are two choices. First you feel underneath and slightly down from the elbow of their left leg. The other option is on the inside of the back left leg, in the fleshy bit just below the bone. I can find the spot on Kai's leg almost first time now. Despite repeated attempts (groping around until she looks at me as if to say, 'will you just give it up') on Bella, I have been unable to get a sniff of a pulse anywhere!!

As for our little man, all we can do is take measurements each day and hope everything turns out alright. It's going to be a very anxious wait that's for sure....

Snow!

It was definitely not the time to be a small dog in the last few days. With about a foot of snow outside at it's peak poor little Kai has had major problems going outside. In turn we've had problems getting him sorted out when he has come back in!

The snow started here late Saturday evening and we had already had a few inches when he went out with the Girls at about midnight. He loved the snow and spent ages out there exploring, playing etc. They were only meant to be going out to do their business before we turned in for the night! Instead at 12.45am we had the hairdryer out desperately trying to melt all the snow that was stuck in his fur. Got him sorted eventually but it took some time.

Sunday morning there was even more snow. He went out, eventually returning  covered in snow up to his body. He loved it out there, refusing to come back in, running round like a mad thing. More drying ensued, finally getting him sorted out again.

Chasing after Kayla

This weather has been really tough for him. Firstly he's just too small for the amount of snow we've had. Add to this the fact that he has longish fluffy fur on his legs and it isn't surprising that he comes back in looking like a little snowman with a snowy beard!


Unfortunately the snow rapidly changes into balls of ice which get matted up in his fur. He tries to pull at them, bless him as he sits on a towel on my lap whilst I try to tease them out with a comb.

We have had to play party poopers and not let him out much because it's such an ordeal getting him sorted out and dry again.


Thankfully today the snow has melted enough so that for the first time, this evening, he came back in with only slightly wet legs.

As long as we don't get any more snow he should be alright. Fingers crossed....

Our handsome little smarty pants!

So, what's been happening to our little man recently? 

Kai reached the age of five months last Tuesday. It's weird because in some ways the time has flown, but equally it feels as if he has been part of our lives forever. I know I'm biased but he is extraordinary - incredibly affectionate, scarily intelligent, very handsome, has a fantastic temperament and is definitely our dog (doesn't favour Eric over me or vice versa).

The most noticeable change physically is that his legs are longer so he can reach up more. Don't reckon he will ever get big enough to jump onto the sofa or my chair, but at least he can now jump off things rather than 'hoof and woof' in frustration. His fur grows at an astonishing rate, already his paws are looking like 'mops' again and he's becoming scruffy again. Not that we mind scruffy, It's all part of his charm. It's only been a couple of weeks since he was clipped. We booked him in for his next clipping in 8 weeks. That's definitely going to have to be brought forward otherwise we run the risk of Kayla not recognising him again!

He is slowly wearing down Bella's grumpiness to the point that she almost starts playing with him, realises and then stops herself. She is as protective of him as she is of Kayla, coming and standing on the arm of my chair while I groom him. It's like she's supervising me! Yesterday morning Eric was telling me that on his walk, Kai met a very large Bull Mastiff. He was scared and ran away squealing. It's the first time he's been scared of a dog. Bella went into protection mode and saw off said bull mastiff. Size doesn't matter to Belle, she stands up to any dog she sees as a threat.

They say the Mini Schnauzer is a big dog in a little body. They're absolutely right. He responds to everything, always wants to know what's going on, and never misses a trick. I mentioned previously about him doing fetch beautifully without training. Last night he got hold of a potato (goodness knows how) and took it off upstairs. Lots of thud noises could be heard as he played with it. Next thing we knew he was quite deliberately dropping it down the stairs so that he could run after it. Kayla does a similar thing so I can only assume he picked it up from her.

The calm before the storm!

He's quite happy entertaining himself, tossing toys around, pouncing on them, squeaking them..Far better though is to play tug with me or Eric, rough and tumble and of course fetch. His play with Kayla is ever more boisterous, with him giving as good as he gets. He tries to tug toys with Kayla, but she has a tendency to either pull too hard or jump up on a chair with the toy where he can't follow. Doesn't stop him trying though!!

Kayla in full flight about to pounce..

He particularly likes my Hummingbird Dental flosser, dancing around woofing and trying to grab it as I turn it on and off near him. He only has to see it and over he comes!

I regularly have to try and play with three dogs at once, throwing something for Kayla (she has to put a toy on boxes next to my chair, or on the arm of my chair otherwise it doesn't get thrown!) whilst playing tug with Kai on my lap and tug with Bella straddling the arms of the sofa and my chair. They insist on having a session before bed. Just what you want at that time of night!!!

Kai certainly knows how to express himself. He woofs at the back door if he wants to go out. Paws up on the edge of the sofa if he wants to get up. Same thing on my chair. Trouble is he then plays hard to get, backing away so you can't get hold of him. Usually takes several attempts before he lets himself be picked up. Such an imp! Oh yes, and he can howl. If Eric goes out he usually takes Kayla with him. As long as Kai is up on me we're OK, but if he gets down on the floor, the most pitiful howling begins. Anyone would think the world was coming to an end. Oww whoooo, owww whoooo. Well you get the idea.

He has also joined the other two in their guard dog duties, so anyone daring to ring the doorbell is confronted by three dogs barking. Albeit with two deep and one slightly squeaky one. Do dogs barks break? He has also taken a real shine to coming and sitting with Bella on my chair. This is how most mornings are spent. He is fair though, going to sleep on the sofa with Eric when he's sitting down.


All in all he's lovely but he can be a real little imp. He's pretty good at leaving things and dropping them. Apart from when he chooses not to. Brilliant fun watching Eric try to catch him when he's decided he doesn't want to give up the item. He's really fast and does a brilliant dodge. He particularly likes to run off with Eric's slippers when he takes them off, or a sock if he can reach it. He doesn't do any damage though but you can see how pleased he is with himself!

He is a grot magnet or should I say his beard is. You name it and it gets stuck be it fluff, paper, soil, foam, feathers; the list is endless. Imagine what it's like when he eats or drinks? His beard clumps together and liquid dribbles off. The worst thing has to be the pilchards in tomato sauce that they sometimes have in their dinner. Not only does he end up with that in his beard, it also stains it and stinks. He still smells of fish the next morning. Urgh!

One for the tooth fairy...

One of Kai's baby teeth which came out today. It was wobbly for a few days so we were hoping to get it to add to the ones we have of Bella and Kayla. It's tiny!

Baby molar fell out 21/1/2012

Kai the Magnificent!

Thursday 5th January 2012, the date the Kai was clipped for the first time. It proved to be a roller coaster ride of emotions with bizarre behaviour we could never have anticipated.

 Took him over to Rochford and left him with the groomer. We then spent the next hour like anxious parents munching chicken burgers and coffee at the nearest McDonald's. Drove back to collect him, I caught a glimpse of his head as she carried him out, and was absolutely blown away. He looked incredible and so handsome. I could tell that Eric was as blown away as me, he had been transformed into the classic Schnauzer look. Our little man looked all grown up! Apparently he was a good boy, a bit scared of the clippers but did very well. She complimented me on his ears, I'm doing a really good job with them. Huge relief because I hadn't been sure whether I was doing them right or not.

All good so far. Then all the good feelings we had evaporated because of the Girls' response to him, Kayla in particular.They clearly didn't recognise him, with Kayla being actively hostile. Every time he went near her she bared her teeth, growled and even had a real go at him. He was frightened of her and literally ran if she came near him.

He has never behaved like that ever so it was really upsetting to see. Eric got really annoyed with Kayla, but apart from that what could we do? Things remained difficult for much of the rest of the day, with Kai very subdued, no doubt partly because of the clipping as well as not understanding why Kayla wouldn't. love him. She slowly showed signs of mellowing and realising that he was Kai after all. The major breakthrough coming at bedtime when she not only tolerated him being on the bed but was wagging her tail at him.

Thankfully normal service was truly resumed today. Kayla was absolutely fine with him on their walk, and they were back to playing etc as normal after that at home all day. For his part, Kai seems to have regained his 'bounce' and is back to his normal self. They had a really great rough and tumble session this afternoon, something that would never have been possible yesterday.

 With the benefit of hindsight I suppose it stands to reason that if we thought the change in him was huge, then the Girls would as well. Probably didn't help that he smelt of shampoo. We'd better not have this every time he goes to be groomed. I don't think I could stand it!!

Fetch!

Kai is now 20 weeks old and continues to soak everything up like a sponge and is a smart little chap. He still managed to surprise me completely the night before last.

Kai playing with my hair!

He came to the side of my chair with his new fabric toy. He asks to play or come up for a cuddle by jumping up and putting his front paws on the arm of my chair. We played tug for a bit and then I decided to throw the toy for him to see if he'd go to it. I expected him to either ignore it completely or at best go over to it and grab it.

Imagine the shock when not only did he go to the toy, but he picked it up and brought it back to me. Paws back up on the arm of the chair with the toy in his mouth ready to do it again. A quick 'drop' command and I had the toy and threw it again accompanied by 'fetch'. Not that the commands were needed because he does fetch like a Pro. We carried on for ages, each time, him bringing the toy back to me, ready for it to be thrown again. And to prove it wasn't a fluke we played fetch again last night, and again this afternoon. This time he started playing with Eric and then came back to one or other of us.

It was completely spontaneous, I haven't tried fetch with him at all, so can only assume that he's watched the girls on their walk and at home doing it and decided that he fancied playing that game as well. Makes training easy when your puppy learns stuff by himself!!

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.

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.