It's been a whirlwind of a month, so it's probably not surprising that I completely forgot that yesterday was the last Monday of the month and my day to check in with my One Little Word. So a day late, a dollar short? Thanks to Kat for hosting our monthly link-ups!
This month, there has been Less of many things -- free time, daylight, warm weather, etc. But what stands out right now is less patience. Ruthie is now 10 months old and firmly in her adolescent phase, so she is constantly testing me. In the last several weeks, she has starting getting very nippy and demanding, especially when we're trying to eat a meal. True to her terrier DNA, she's always been a digger, and now she has starting "digging" under the cover on the couch, usually while I'm trying to cook dinner. And when we go on walks, she often tries to jump on passers-by or leap out into traffic at cyclists. I'm trying really hard to focus on positive reinforcement, but I'll admit that at the end of a long day, it's really hard not to yell "No! Stop!" repeatedly. So far I've only had to put her in her crate once to keep her out of trouble while I finish cooking, but it may very well be necessary again. I keep reminding myself that these days won't last forever and that we will keep working on the good behavior. And she's already come so far from just six months ago.
On the plus side, there has been much less early morning barking! I think she is finally understanding that I will come down around the same time every morning and she doesn't need to announce that she's awake. Occasionally there's a yip or two, but I think that may be due to her hearing something outside or dreaming. Getting enough sleep is certainly helping me be calmer!
I hope you all weather Ruthie's "teenage years" well! I don't have experience with dogs, but there were times that human teenagers were sometimes not much fun. (And you've got one of those also!) I didn't have a crate to put mine in but luckily they could stomp up to their rooms and slam their doors just fine.
ReplyDeleteOy, I feel your angst, Sarah! (Less over-enthusiastic pup would be a very good thing!) I would love to say "this too shall pass" (which it will) but it won't be for a while yet. I will send any extra patience I have your way!
ReplyDeleteI love how you tied in less daylight in here... we were talking about that very thing last night, how the days of long shadows have given way to needing lights on with dinner!