Doggie Sage » Buttercup

Hard at Play

Princess Buttercup — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:42:04 +0000

I love to play with Gatsby, and have to talk about it the WHOLE time I am doing it.

Just Sleeping

Princess Buttercup — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:04:38 +0000

Not the best picture quality but this is how I like to sleep!

Where have I been?

Princess Buttercup — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:25:50 +0000

I have been busy keeping my human company. She has not been feeling well. Don’t worry, it is a good thing! She is expecting a baby in June.

Don’t worry, I will ALWAYS be the baby. See that baby will grow and get bigger, but me, I will be 10 pounds max for the rest of my life. My place in the pack is pretty set. I will always be the baby!

Like I said I have been helping my human feel better and have not had the time to post like I had before. Plus I had to be on my best behavior!

I did a good job of keep her company while she rested on the sofa while she suffered through the first trimester. The whole packed was there to help keep her company so she would feel better soon. Even our newest addition Gatsby was in on the Operation Make Human Feel Better!

(Also my Human would like you to know that the tape on the sofa is to keep the cats from scratching the sofa. And that is works really really well.)

Today is my Birthday!

Princess Buttercup — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:29:25 +0000

Wow I am getting old. I turn two years old today. I plan on spending the day making sure the mail man does not get in my house, that all dogs and people that walk on my sidewalk know who is boss, and when not on duty, taking a nap. After that, I am looking forward to going to Training class tonight and then eating a homemade pup cake!!!

My Human keeps mumbling something that I will always be her puppy. Anyway, lets stroll down memory lane and look at me when I was wee baby.

Bacon!

Princess Buttercup — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:19:47 +0000

So here I am, and there is bacon. I sat there why you eat. Didn’t beg or anything. But you leave the room! I mean I LOVE Bacon. I eventual give up and let out a huge sigh. Can you believe that even with that cute sigh, the human still did not give me bacon.

Swimming with Dogs

Princess Buttercup — Thu, 06 May 2010 05:42:00 +0000

Being 10 pounds I have to admit, I am not to fond of the water. I have been swimming one time, and that was against my will. My Humans took me to the James River, to an area that is an off shoot of the river, so it is not deep or fast moving. Brice, Eva and Jasper (the dogs) were all playing and swimming in the water. Then my humans began swimming around. I was all alone on the shore. So I slowly got my paws wet. Then my Human coaxed me out to the water and slowly I moved a little bit deeper and deeper till I had to paddle around. I did swim while my human had their hands spotting me the whole time!

A few weeks ago, on my own, I got my paws wet. But once it got to my belly, I just did not get the point.

However, my big sister Eva LOVES to swim! As soon as she sees water she dives right in.

You can see her paddling around in the background behind Oliver in the picture below.

The James River is Beautiful.

Do you have a dog that wants to learn how to swim? Below are a few tips to help your dog swim.

Dogs already know how to swim, we just have to get them to realize this without pushing them, or making them scared of the water.

1. If you aren’t in the water more than likely your dog will not be going in either. Get in the water and play around.

2. Start in wading waters while letting the dog get used to having their feet and belly wet. Slowly move into deeper waters.

3. Use lures, such as a toy or food, to help a dog that isn’t sure become more comfortable and confident.

4. Peer Pressure. Bring other dogs along that are already know how to swim, and who are happy and comfortable with the water.

5. Think safety first. Make sure you are in an area that is safe and secure. Teaching your dog to swim in fast moving river water might not be safe for a first time swimmer. Consider the size and build of your dog when deciding on where to swim.

6. Stay Positive! Do not punish your dog if they are unwilling to get in the water. The more positive you are, and the more fun you are having, the more likely your dog will be willing to make the choice to take the plunge and start paddling.

7. Make sure your dog is making the choice to get in the water. If you throw your dog in the waters most likely your dog will not want to go back in on their own.

Post a comment to share your favorite place to swim with your dog, how you taught your dog to swim, or any other fun dog swimming story.

Attack Blanket

Erika the Human — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:02:46 +0000

Trying to Stay of Out Trouble

Princess Buttercup — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:45:40 +0000

I spent the WHOLE day on my very best behavior. I didn’t chase cats, bite my human’s heels, or even tear up paper. And then at the very end of the day, Brice got into Corn Meal that my human left on the entrance table in a wooden box (the corn meal as seen on CBS 6 Virginia this Morning and in this Blog post ). In defense of my my most perfect day of behavior EVER, I did not start it, I was just the only dog that got caught.

Graduation from Puppy Obedience

Princess Buttercup — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:24:38 +0000

Last Year on St. Patty’s Day I graduated from Puppy Obedience School at Dog Lovers Obedience School.

In order to graduate, I had to work pretty darn hard and learn a whole lot of self control.

My Human chose Dog Lovers Obedience School because it was not food based. She had experience with food and clicker training and due to my size thought it might be best to learn a new method. When picking a training class, find out about the method of teaching and if that is going to be a good match with your dog’s personality and the human’s personality. If you are uncertain ask if you can sit in on a class without your dog.

Before training or bringing a dog into your home, write down what your goals and expectations. For example, you want to be able to travel with your dog or you want to do agility. Find a training method that matches up with your goals. Someone wanting a companion dog will have different training goals verses someone that wants a performance dog. Find the right trainer and training facility to match those goals.

Requirements to graduate from Puppy Obedience:
1. Heeling on a Loose Leash with an Automatic Sit

2. Sit Stay with a ball bouncing by (and hold the sit stay for 15 minutes)

3. Down Stay for 45 minutes (Read my post on the 30 minute Down-Stay)

4. Stand Stay with exam- 5 minutes
5. Come with an automatic sit in from
6. Don’t eat the Hot Dog!

YEAH! I did it!!!

A day in the Garden

Princess Buttercup — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:11:39 +0000

Boy it has been a LONG winter. I have loved the snow but I am ready for time in the yard and long walks.
Sunday, I had the most fun, I was able to spend the WHOLE day in the yard with my humans.

My responsibilities in the garden as CEO (Canine Executive Officer) are digging holes and not getting caught, chewing on sticks, and rolling in dirt. It was SO much fun. Of course it was a long work day. Usually I get several naps during the day. Being a CEO is hard work and I need my beauty rest. But I was so busy in the yard, that I did not get to rest. I mean those holes are not going to dig themselves. The Humans were so busy they didn’t get any photos of me in action but as you can see from the pictures, I was very tired.

And can you believe that my Humans can say NO to this face?

We still have a lot of work to do in the yard. But here are some pictures of the start of the garden. I will keep you posted on my hard work.