How can he be 6 months old already?

Today our little man is six months old. It seems unbelievable that he can have reached that milestone already but here we are. So where are we at, in terms of growth, character and training?

First thing is that his bark has 'broken', if dogs' barks do. What is for certain is that since a week or so ago he suddenly had a deeper more authoritative woof. He retains his wonderful 'woo, woo, woo, wooo' bark of surprise or alarm but again this have gone down tonally. He expresses himself better, or perhaps we understand him more! It helps that in many ways he has taken the lead from the Girls, his beloved Kayla in particular. So if he can't reach something he will woof. He asks to get up by plonking his front paws either on the sofa, or the arm of my chair depending on who he wants to lie near/on. Bless him, he can jump off, but not onto furniture still.

We had a very brief 'stroppy' phase, clearly driven by hormones. Was an absolute imp when I groomed him, wouldn't sit when given a treat, wouldn't come when called. You get the idea. Thankfully we seem to have returned to the lovely young man we know and love. Oh and the grotty little creature has been eating poo. Why do dogs do that when they reach a certain age, and are so pleased with themselves? At least we haven't had snails being brought in. Kayla and Bella both went through that phase. I vividly remember one night when I had gone to bed, Bella joined me, together with a toad!!

I've been working on 'come' with him, A vitally important command for me so that I can get him to come from me from anywhere, when Eric has popped out shopping or something. He's doing really well. I only have to call him and rattle my ever treat box and he comes sprinting in from the garden. Have  to say his recall is better for me than it is for Eric. Bribery and corruption, works every time!! 'drop' is very good, unless it's something he's particularly taken with, in which case he runs away from Eric. So funny watching Eric running after him. He's got a real turn of speed and dodges beautifully (Kai that is, not Eric). Equally funny is when he tries to eject something from his mouth, only for it to get stuck in his beard!

Teeth are a big issue for him at the moment. All of his remaining adult teeth are coming in, with some of his milk teeth refusing to fall out. Currently  both upper and one lower canines have the adult and milk teeth sitting next to each other. It looks really odd! We have collected four of his baby teeth which adds to the ones we have from Kayla and Bella. With luck the milk teeth will fall out soon, must be uncomfortable for him having multiple teeth in a space intended for one.

He was clipped for the second time yesterday, and looks so handsome. Next major event for Kai happens this Tuesday.... castration!

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....