allthings-acorn

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The puppies are 8 weeks old 😭 I’m feeling better about their socialization—we got a lot done this week! They’ve learned to ride calmly in a crate in the car and had a great first outing to my house to meet Fitz and Acorn.

We plan to keep them two more weeks and it just hit me that we don’t have much more time to find homes 😬 If dogblr folks in the northeastern US happen to be looking for a pit bull mix puppy, feel free to send me a message!

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I’m feeling really shitty because I had a vacation last week (pre-planned from before puppies happened) and the puppies just did not get adequate training & socialization while I was gone. I had detailed instructions written out and everything but it just didn’t happen.

Got back Saturday and they are running feral digging holes in the yard which is probably fine but also 2 of them are showing more fear over novel objects than I’d like to see. I have to do some remedial work with them and then they’re all behind on crate training, car rides, outings etc. So I’m feeling overwhelmed and also guilty for leaving for so long.

Plus the lack of control is really becoming difficult. They don’t live with me. I still have a normal work schedule and my own pets to care for. The best I can do is come once or twice a day to work with them. The rest of the time I have to trust my family members and they are NEVER going to do things the way I would. So I know I just need to let that part go. But it’s hard. My family members mean well but I don’t think they understand how much of a burden this is. They feed the puppies and keep them clean which I appreciate but I’ve had to study and plan ALL the logistics and socialization stuff. I spent a ton of money on stuff for the puppies because somebody has to. Except meanwhile I can’t even get them to commit to taking the puppies out 3x a day.

I wish I could just have the puppies at my house except there’s no practical way to have them here. Anyway sorry for venting it’s just been a hard day.

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i am BEGGING everybody to please look at this picture of a dog who worked at Wood Island Lighthouse in Biddeford, Maine in 1903. his name was Sailor and it was his job to ring the foghorn. he was famous nationwide. mariners passing nearby the lighthouse would toot their horns in greeting and he would get very excited and ring the foghorn as a hello

source: https://www.mainememory.net/artifact/18525

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losing my mind, I'm in a dog group on fb and someone posted their dog. whose name is Vinnie Pecorino and they posted the crunchiest lowest quality video... it is barely recognizable as a dog

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For the mid-level sickos.

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I have been going around saying, “none of them are coming to live with me unless they are scruffy.” unforch

We got embark results back for one of the puppies!

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We got embark results back for one of the puppies!

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one new thing a day is easy when you’re five weeks old

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I’ve decided to start a new conspiracy theory that coonhounds don’t actually exist. the setter people are frantically shaving their dogs in between shows and then showing them again as “coonhounds”. So they can win extra ribbons I presume.

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wobble babies

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We’ve been working on the box game from puppy culture! I was very surprised by how quickly the puppies became operant. Some caught on quicker than others— the tan girl, Pastina, is my favorite to work with. She offers a lot of behaviors and seems to enjoy the challenge!

The first session I tried using baby food since I thought it would be easier if they didn’t have to chew it. Turns out it made a mess and the mechanics gave me trouble so we went with cheese for the subsequent sessions.

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baby dogs went outside for the first time today 🥹

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As far as I can tell there are a few different types of dog, independent of sex or breeds but occasionally correlated - including among others -

eccentric roommate (lives here. does stuff. when you're lucky you know what it is before they do it.)

dubious peasant (generally agreeable but on the verge of plotting revolt if not handled appropriately and regularly)

adorable ward (is Baby, makes up for immaturity with cute looks)

sworn knight (serve you till the end of your days. plz give task. take on quest. affirm is good dog)

confused auntie (wants you to make good life choices, mostly just sits on chairs and judges you)

No Thoughts Just Vibes (average golden retriever in my experience and also borzoi)

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help they’ve learned how to be naughty

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The pasta puppies had their first excursion to the living room today! Much toddling, biting, and playing ensued. After a while, Osa even deigned to nurse them a little. A wonderful day to be a baby dog!