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?

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!!

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.